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| Robert Tickner | |
|---|---|
| Name | Robert Tickner |
| Birth date | 24 August 1951 |
| Birth place | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Politician, public servant, advocate |
| Office | Member for Hughes |
| Term start | 1984 |
| Term end | 1996 |
| Party | Australian Labor Party |
Robert Tickner is an Australian former politician and public servant who served as the federal Member for Hughes and as Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs during the Hawke and Keating eras. He later became a prominent advocate for human rights and indigenous issues, working with non-governmental organisations and peak bodies. His career intersected with many national and international figures and institutions across Australian politics, law, and civil society.
Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Tickner attended local schools before undertaking tertiary studies at the University of Sydney where he studied arts and law-related subjects. He later completed further qualifications and professional development with connections to institutions such as the University of New South Wales and interacted with legal and community organisations including the Law Society of New South Wales and community legal centres in Sydney. During his student years he became involved with the Australian Labor Party and with community groups linked to Trade unions in Australia and local councils such as the Sutherland Shire Council.
Tickner entered state and then federal political life through the Australian Labor Party, contesting preselection and serving in roles that brought him into contact with figures such as Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Gough Whitlam, Kim Beazley, and Clyde Holding. Elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Hughes in 1984, he served through the terms of the Dawkins reforms era and the economic policy debates associated with the Prices and Incomes Accord. His parliamentary career saw engagement with portfolios and committees that involved interactions with the Australian Senate, the Opposition, and crossbench members including representatives from the Liberal Party of Australia, National Party, and minor parties such as the Australian Greens. Tickner was active in policy discussions alongside ministers and shadow ministers including Richard Alston, John Howard, Peter Costello, Kim Beazley Sr., and Con Sciacca.
Appointed Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the early 1990s under Prime Minister Paul Keating, Tickner assumed responsibility for portfolios that connected him with landmark institutions and events such as the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the Native Title Act 1993, the Mabo decision, and the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. His tenure required consultation with community leaders and organisations like the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, the National Aboriginal Conference, ATSIC, and state bodies including the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council. He worked on policy alongside Indigenous leaders such as Lowitja O'Donoghue, Mick Dodson, Eddie Mabo, and Pat Dodson, while negotiating with federal officials and international partners including representatives linked to the United Nations and to human rights mechanisms like the United Nations Human Rights Council. His ministerial period coincided with national debates over reconciliation, native title, land rights, and the implementation of recommendations from inquiries such as the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody reports.
After his defeat in the 1996 election, Tickner transitioned to roles in advocacy and administration, serving with non-governmental and peak organisations that engaged with bodies such as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Australian Council of Social Service, Amnesty International (Australia), and university research centres including the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales. He held leadership positions in community legal and human rights organisations, collaborating with figures and entities like Julian Burnside, Geoffrey Robertson, Michael Kirby, Glenys Beauchamp, and international NGOs such as Oxfam and Save the Children. Tickner also contributed to public debate through participation in media forums involving outlets like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, and public policy institutes including the Centre for Independent Studies and the Australia Institute.
Tickner married and has family connections in the Sutherland Shire region of Sydney. His public service and advocacy have been recognised by awards and acknowledgements from community organisations and professional associations including legal, indigenous, and human rights groups. He has been associated with academic and honorary links to institutions such as the University of Sydney, the Australian National University, and various community peak bodies including the Reconciliation Australia council. Throughout his career he engaged with a wide network of political and civic leaders including Paul Keating, Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam, John Howard, Kim Beazley, and Indigenous advocates such as Mick Dodson and Lowitja O'Donoghue.
Category:Australian politicians Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives Category:1951 births Category:Living people