Australian Citizens' Parliament

We are fortunate to have Honourable Fred Chaney AO as Co-Chairperson of the Australian Citizens’ Parliament.

Fred entered the Senate in 1974, leaving his career behind in law. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 1983 to 1990 and a member for Pearce in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 1993. His Ministerial appointments included Aboriginal Affairs, Social Security and Minister Assisting the Minister for National Development and Energy.

After leaving Parliament, Fred undertook research into Aboriginal Affairs policy and administration as a Research Fellow with the Graduate School of Management at the University of Western Australia (1993-1995). He remains involved in Aboriginal education through the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation which he established in 1995.

Fred was Chancellor of Murdoch University from 1995 to 2003 and served as Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia Ltd from 2000 to 2005 and continues as a Director on the Board.