This article is about the Australian politician. For other people named Robert Ray, see Robert Ray.
Robert Francis Ray (born 8 April 1947) is an Australian former politician who was a Labor Partysenator from 1981 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria.
Ray was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and educated at Monash University, Melbourne, where he graduated in arts and education. He worked as a teacher in government schools and as a taxi-driver before entering politics.
Political career
A leading member of the right-wing faction of the ALP, Ray defeated a left-wing senator, Jean Melzer, in a ballot for a place on the party's Senate ticket. This caused great bitterness in the Socialist Left faction. He was elected to the Senate at the October 1980 election, taking his seat on 1 July 1981.
After the defeat of the Keating government in 1996 election, Ray did not seek election to the Opposition Shadow Ministry, but remained a powerful figure in the Labor Party, acting as a key factional supporter of Opposition Leader Kim Beazley 1996–2001. His influence diminished when Mark Latham became Leader in 2003. He did not stand for re-election at the 2007 election, which meant that his Senate term was due to expire on 30 June 2008. He formally resigned from Parliament on 5 May 2008,[1] having spent two more days in the Senate as a member of government than as a member of the Opposition.[2] The casual vacancy was filled by Jacinta Collins.[3]
References
^ABC News (2008). Ray resigns from politics. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
^ABC News (2008). Ray remembers highs, lows of political life. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
^ABC News (2008). Tributes for retiring Senator Ray. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
robert, australian, politician, this, article, about, australian, politician, other, people, named, robert, robert, robert, francis, born, april, 1947, australian, former, politician, labor, party, senator, from, 1981, 2008, representing, state, victoria, hono. This article is about the Australian politician For other people named Robert Ray see Robert Ray Robert Francis Ray born 8 April 1947 is an Australian former politician who was a Labor Party senator from 1981 to 2008 representing the state of Victoria The HonourableRobert RayMinister for DefenceIn office 4 April 1990 11 March 1996Prime MinisterBob HawkePaul KeatingPreceded byKim BeazleySucceeded byIan McLachlanMinister for ImmigrationIn office 2 September 1988 4 April 1990Prime MinisterBob HawkePreceded byClyde HoldingSucceeded byGerry HandMinister for Home AffairsIn office 24 July 1987 2 September 1988Prime MinisterBob HawkePreceded byoffice establishedSucceeded byoffice abolishedSenator for VictoriaIn office 1 July 1981 5 May 2008Preceded byJean MelzerSucceeded byJacinta CollinsPersonal detailsBorn 1947 04 08 8 April 1947 age 76 Melbourne VictoriaNationalityAustralianPolitical partyAustralian Labor PartyOccupationTeacher Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life 1 2 Political career 2 References 3 External linksBiography EditEarly life Edit Ray was born in Melbourne Victoria and educated at Monash University Melbourne where he graduated in arts and education He worked as a teacher in government schools and as a taxi driver before entering politics Political career Edit A leading member of the right wing faction of the ALP Ray defeated a left wing senator Jean Melzer in a ballot for a place on the party s Senate ticket This caused great bitterness in the Socialist Left faction He was elected to the Senate at the October 1980 election taking his seat on 1 July 1981 In the Hawke Labor government Ray was Minister for Home Affairs 1987 88 Minister for Immigration Local Government and Ethnic Affairs 1988 90 with a seat in the Cabinet and Minister for Defence 1990 96 In this portfolio he strongly supported Hawke s decision to send Australian forces to support the United Nations in the Gulf War despite bitter opposition from the left After the defeat of the Keating government in 1996 election Ray did not seek election to the Opposition Shadow Ministry but remained a powerful figure in the Labor Party acting as a key factional supporter of Opposition Leader Kim Beazley 1996 2001 His influence diminished when Mark Latham became Leader in 2003 He did not stand for re election at the 2007 election which meant that his Senate term was due to expire on 30 June 2008 He formally resigned from Parliament on 5 May 2008 1 having spent two more days in the Senate as a member of government than as a member of the Opposition 2 The casual vacancy was filled by Jacinta Collins 3 References Edit ABC News 2008 Ray resigns from politics Retrieved 5 May 2008 ABC News 2008 Ray remembers highs lows of political life Retrieved 7 May 2008 ABC News 2008 Tributes for retiring Senator Ray Retrieved 5 May 2008 External links EditALP biography Former Senator Robert RayParliament of AustraliaPreceded byClyde Holding Minister for Immigration1988 1990 Succeeded byGerry HandPreceded byKim Beazley Minister for Defence1990 1996 Succeeded byIan McLachlan Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Ray Australian politician amp oldid 1149776314, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
