Mr. Beazley was a Minister in the Hawke and Keating Labor Governments (1983-96) holding, at various times, the portfolios of Defense, Finance, Transport and Communications, Employment Education and Training, Aviation, and Special Minister of State. He was Deputy Prime Minister (1995-96) and Leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition (1996-01 and 2005-06). Mr. Beazley served on parliamentary committees, including the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Joint Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Committee. 

After his retirement from politics in 2007, Mr. Beazley was appointed Winthrop Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Western Australia. In July 2008 he was appointed Chancellor of the Australian National University, a position he held until December 2009.  Mr. Beazley took up his appointment as Ambassador to the United States of America in February 2010.   

In 2009, Mr. Beazley was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament of Australia through contributions to the development of government policies in relation to defense and international relations, and as an advocate for Indigenous people, and to the community. 

Mr. Beazley was born in Perth. He completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at the University of Western Australia. Mr. Beazley was elected to the Federal Parliament in 1980 and represented the electorates of Swan (1980-96) and Brand (1996-2007).He is married and has three daughters. 

1. President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Old Soldiers’ Home - because it enables you to imagine him retreating there for those rare moments of quiet reflection and time with his family.

2.  As a regular visitor to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (West Wing), I am always reminded of the United States’ understanding that public buildings are not simply offices and should convey stature and presence. 

3. Ping Pong near Dupont Circle combines a stylish, oriental ambience with great dim sum.  I frequently entertain ministers there and it never disappoints.  I find Blue Duck and Zentan similarly satisfying for colleagues from Australia.

4. I share Americans’ love of the Lincoln Memorial as a favourite piece of US architecture.  While the magnitude of the memorial itself speaks volumes, any visit there also conjures up the many famous speeches held at the memorial. 

5. DC has some of the best museums. Even though the Pentagon is right outside of DC’s city limits, I still feel a tingle of pride every time I walk through the ANZUS corridor.  It is a pity that access must be so closely guarded to this, the world’s largest building.  Visiting Americans would experience a surge of confidence and pride walking through it.