22 Facts About Bob Halverson

Bob Halverson was a member of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998, representing the Liberal Party.

Bob Halverson was Speaker of the House from 1996 to 1998, and subsequently served as Ambassador to Ireland from 1998 to 2003.

Bob Halverson was born on 22 October 1937 in Springvale, Victoria.

Bob Halverson was the son of Elizabeth Gretta and Herbert Martinius Halverson.

Bob Halverson's father worked as an electrician at a meatworks in Footscray.

Bob Halverson's paternal grandfather Bendik Halverson was a Norwegian sailor who arrived in Australia in the 1870s.

Bob Halverson was educated at Geelong Road Primary School and Footscray Technical College.

Bob Halverson left school in 1953 and began an apprenticeship as an industrial chemist.

Bob Halverson served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1956 to 1981, attaining the rank of group captain.

Bob Halverson enlisted as an airman, but was selected to join the Officer Cadet School where he topped his year.

Bob Halverson's first posting was to RAAF Base Townsville, where an explosion left him deaf in one ear and ended his ambitions to become a pilot.

Bob Halverson was transferred back to Melbourne where he worked in supply and equipment.

In 1966, Bob Halverson moved to Washington, DC, in connection with the RAAF's purchase of F-111 fighter jets.

Bob Halverson returned to Australia but moved overseas again in 1976, when he was seconded to the British Royal Air Force's RAF Support Command for three years.

Bob Halverson was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1978.

Bob Halverson was elected to federal parliament at the 1984 federal election, winning the Division of Casey for the Liberal Party.

Bob Halverson attracted attention in 1989 when he referred to government MP Elizabeth Harvey as "baby" during question time in the House of Representatives.

In 1990, Bob Halverson was appointed Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives under the new party leader John Hewson.

Bob Halverson was stripped of the position when his relationship with Hewson broke down after the 1993 election defeat, but regained it in May 1994 when Alexander Downer became leader.

Bob Halverson resigned the position in March 1998 as the Howard government became frustrated at his impartiality in enforcing discipline on both Government and opposition MPs and allowing supplementary questioning of ministers when answers were evasive.

Bob Halverson usually wore the Speaker's traditional gown, but without the wig.

Bob Halverson retired from politics at the 1998 election and was appointed the Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, which he remained until 2003 when he was succeeded by John Herron.