Brian Loughnane

Background

Brian Gerard Loughnane was born in Geelong, Victoria in November 1957 and was educated in Colac before graduating with an honours degree in political science from Louisiana Trobe University in 1981.

Career

Early career

Commencing his career with Shell Australia in 1982, Loughnane was responsible for industrial relations at the Geelong oil refinery during the introduction of enterprise bargaining. Political career

He was campaign director for the 2001 by-election for the federal Division of Aston (Liberal retain) and the 2002 Victorian state election. Loughnane is credited with inspiring the L-plate tag that hit the former Labor leader Mark Latham during 2004.

He attended the first Convention of the Conservative Party of Canada and has had a close working relationship with senior Canadian political figures for many years.

In 2015, Loughnane was appointed to the International Republican Institute international advisory board. He is a well known supporter of the Geelong Football Club and his interests include horse racing, films and American politics.

Achievements

• In 1992, he was appointed as an advisor to Vin Heffernan, the Minister for Small Business in the Kennett government and in 1994 he became Chief of Staff to Alexander Downer, the federal Leader of the Opposition. When John Howard succeeded Downer as opposition leader in early 1995, Loughnane was appointed as Howard"s Chief of Staff, serving until May 1995, before appointment to a senior executive role with Gas and Fuel Corporation for twelve months. Upon his appointment as Federal Director of the Liberal Party, Loughnane has served as Campaign Director for the Party at the federal elections held in 2004 (Coalition returned), 2007 (Labor win), 2010 (Labor minority) and 2013 (Coalition win). Loughnane is married to Peta Credlin, the former Chief of Staff for Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Politics

He returned to politics in 1996 and served as Chief of Staff to John Moore in his capacities as Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism and as Minister for Defence. Between October 2000 to February 2003 Loughnane was State Director of the Victorian Division of the Party. And is considered a classic "backroom operator", Loughnane has extensive international political experience with major centre-right parties around the world.