Dr. Bob Debus

Biography

Honorary Professor Bob Debus began his career as a solicitor before transitioning to become an editor for the prestigious Australian book publishing company Angus Robertson. Additionally, he served as a broadcaster for ABC Radio National, where he worked on the early editions of the long-running program Background Briefing. His commitment to social causes led him to become the national director of the development aid organisation Australian Freedom Hunger, a role that contributed to the establishment of Oxfam Australia. Subsequently, Debus was elected to the New South Wales Parliament from 1981 to 1988, where he held ministerial portfolios such as Attorney General, Environment, Emergency Services, and Corrective Services. He later joined the Federal Government as the Member for Macquarie from 2007 to 2010, serving as the federal Minister for Home Affairs. Currently, he is the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Bushfire Research Centre of Excellence at the Australian National University and holds board director positions at various non-government organisations focused on environmental advocacy, nature conservation, and prison reform.

Research Interests