On 18 September 2013, Tony Abbott became Australia's 28th Prime Minister.

Abbott was a Member of Parliament for Waringah from 1994 to 2019.

Before becoming prime minister, he served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1 December 2009.

Abbott took his first portfolio as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs from 1996 to 1998 in the Howard government. Until the Howard lost office in 2007, Abbott also served as:

• Minister for Employment Services from 1998 to 2001
• Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business in 2001
• Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations from 2001 to 2003
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service from 2001 to 2003
• Minister for Health and Ageing from 2003 to 2007

On 14 September 2015, Abbott was defeated in a leadership ballot by Malcolm Turnbull, who was sworn in as prime minister the next day.

Did you know?

Tony Abbott:

• was born in London in 1957
• migrated to Australia with his family in 1960
• won a Rhodes Scholarship in 1981 and attended The Queen's College, Oxford University
• earned two 'Blues' for boxing at Oxford
• intended to join the Catholic priesthood and entered St Patrick's seminary at Manly in 1984
• had a successful career in journalism before entering politics
• is an active volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club