View source for Christopher Pyne

{{Short description|Australian politician}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Christopher Pyne
| honorific-suffix    = 
| image               = Christopher Pyne MP.jpg
| office1             = [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]]
| term_start1         = 28 August 2018
| term_end1           = 26 May 2019
| primeminister1      = [[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor1        = [[Marise Payne]]
| successor1          = [[Linda Reynolds]]
| office2             = [[Minister for Defence Industry]]
| term_start2         = 19 July 2016
| term_end2           = 27 August 2018
| primeminister2      = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]<br />[[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor2        = ''Office established''
| successor2          = [[Steven Ciobo]]
| office3             = [[Leader of the House (Australia)|Leader of the House]]
| term_start3         = 18 September 2013
| term_end3           = 26 May 2019
| primeminister3      = [[Tony Abbott]]<br />[[Malcolm Turnbull]]<br />[[Scott Morrison]]
| deputy3             = [[Darren Chester]]
| predecessor3        = [[Anthony Albanese]]
| successor3          = [[Christian Porter]]
| office4             = [[Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science]]
| term_start4         = 21 September 2015
| term_end4           = 19 July 2016
| primeminister4      = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| predecessor4        = [[Ian Macfarlane (politician)|Ian Macfarlane]]
| successor4          = [[Greg Hunt]]
| office5             = [[Minister for Education and Training]]
| term_start5         = 18 September 2013
| term_end5           = 21 September 2015
| primeminister5      = [[Tony Abbott]]<br />[[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| predecessor5        = [[Bill Shorten]]
| successor5          = [[Simon Birmingham]]
| office6             = [[Manager of Opposition Business in the House (Australia)|Manager of Opposition Business]]
| term_start6         = 16 February 2009
| term_end6           = 18 September 2013
| leader6             = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]<br />[[Tony Abbott]]
| deputy6             = [[Luke Hartsuyker]]
| predecessor6        = [[Joe Hockey]]
| successor6          = [[Tony Burke]]
| office7             = [[Minister for Social Services (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Ageing]]
| primeminister7      = [[John Howard]]
| term_start7         = 21 March 2007
| term_end7           = 3 December 2007
| predecessor7        = [[Santo Santoro]]
| successor7          = [[Justine Elliot]]
| office8             = [[Minister for Health (Australia)#List of assistant ministers for health and aged care|Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing]]
| primeminister8      = [[John Howard]]
| term_start8         = 30 January 2007
| term_end8           = 21 March 2007
| predecessor8        = ''Office established''
| successor8          = [[Fiona Nash]]
| constituency_MP9    = [[Division of Sturt|Sturt]]
| parliament9         = Australian
| term_start9         = 13 March 1993
| term_end9           = 11 April 2019
| predecessor9        = [[Ian Wilson (Australian politician)|Ian Wilson]]
| successor9          = [[James Stevens (Australian politician)|James Stevens]]
| birth_name          = Christopher Maurice Pyne
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1967|8|13|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]
| nationality         = Australian
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| spouse              = Carolyn Pyne
| children            = 4
| alma_mater          = [[University of Adelaide]]<br />[[University of South Australia]]
| profession          = Lawyer, politician and author
| website             = {{URL|http://www.pyneonline.com.au/|Official website}}
| caption             = Official portrait, 2015
}}

'''Christopher Maurice Pyne''' (born 13 August 1967) is a retired Australian politician. As a member of the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]], he held several ministerial positions in the [[Howard government|Howard]], [[Abbott government|Abbott]], [[Turnbull government|Turnbull]] and [[Morrison government]]s, and served as a [[member of parliament]] (MP) for the [[division of Sturt]] from 1993 until his retirement in 2019.

Pyne was elected to the [[Australian House of Representatives]] at the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 federal election]], winning the seat of Sturt in [[South Australia]]. In 2007, Pyne was given the portfolios of [[Minister for Health (Australia)#List of assistant ministers for health and aged care|Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing]] and [[Minister for Social Services (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Ageing]] while serving in the Howard government, which he held until the [[Coalition (Australia)|Liberal-National Coalition]]'s loss at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 election]]. While in opposition, Pyne was appointed [[Manager of Opposition Business in the House (Australia)|Manager of Opposition Business in the House]]. After the Coalition's victory at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 election]], Pyne entered the [[Cabinet of Australia]] and became [[Leader of the House (Australia)|Leader of the House]] and [[Minister for Education and Training|Minister for Education]]. Upon the election of the Turnbull government at the [[September 2015 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill|2015 Liberal leadership ballot]], he remained Leader of the House and became [[Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science]]. With the reelection of the government in 2016, he became the [[Minister for Defence Industry]]. Upon the installment of the [[First Morrison ministry]] in August 2018, he became the [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]].

Pyne retired from politics at the [[2019 Australian federal election]].<ref name="retire guardian">{{cite news |author=Henriques-Gomes, Luke |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/02/not-a-life-sentence-christopher-pyne-plots-next-move-after-26-years-in-parliament |title='Not a life sentence': Christopher Pyne plots next move after 26 years in parliament |work=[[Guardian Australia]] |date=2 March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 }}</ref><ref name="retire ABC">{{cite news |author=Belot, Henry |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-02/christopher-pyne-retires-from-politics/10864364 |title=Scott Morrison insists he's not distracted by ministerial exodus as Christopher Pyne bows out of politics |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |date=2 March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302120916/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-02/christopher-pyne-retires-from-politics/10864364 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="retire BMG">{{cite news |url=https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/5932967/pynes-new-chapter-after-26-canberra-years/?cs=9397 |title=Pyne's new chapter after 26 Canberra years |work=Blue Mountains Gazette |first=Angus |last=Livingston |date=2 March 2019 |access-date=2 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042929/https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/5932967/pynes-new-chapter-after-26-canberra-years/?cs=9397 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2019, he was appointed as an industry professor at the University of South Australia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Christopher Pyne appointed professor by University of South Australia |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/christopher-pyne-appointed-professor-by-university-of-south-australia/news-story/036a317b8c28584a326ddb669bdebed5 |access-date=11 June 2019 |publisher=The Australian |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425075829/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/christopher-pyne-appointed-professor-by-university-of-south-australia/news-story/036a317b8c28584a326ddb669bdebed5 |url-status=live }} Christopher Pyne discussed defence industry job while still a member of Cabinet, consultancy firm confirms</ref> In the same month Pyne started a new defence industry consulting job, prompting a Senate investigation into a potential breach of Ministerial Standards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Christopher Pyne discussed defence industry job while still a member of Cabinet, consultancy firm confirms |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-13/christopher-pyne-discussed-post-politics-job-before-election/11409638 |access-date=1 June 2021 |publisher=ABC News |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717093559/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-13/christopher-pyne-discussed-post-politics-job-before-election/11409638 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early years and education==
The fifth and youngest child of ophthalmic surgeon, Remington Pyne and his wife Margaret,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ranzco.edu/index.php/honour-roll/122-ranzco-presidents/340-dr-remington-j-pyne-1982-1983 |title=RANZCO - Home |publisher=RANZCO.edu |access-date=2016-06-02 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Pyne was born in [[Adelaide]], South Australia in 1967. He was educated at [[Saint Ignatius' College, Adelaide|Saint Ignatius' College]] and the [[University of Adelaide]], where he graduated with a [[Bachelor of Laws]] and was President of Adelaide University Liberal Club from 1987 to 1988.<ref name=aph>{{cite Au Parliament |name=Hon Christopher Pyne MP |mpid=9V5 |access-date=2021-11-07}}</ref><ref name=cp>{{cite web|title=Chris Pyne Online|url=http://www.pyneonline.com.au/|access-date=3 December 2007|archive-date=14 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214081055/http://www.pyneonline.com.au/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Warhurst|first=John|date=2013-10-16|title=Jesuit influence overplayed|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jesuit-influence-overplayed-20131016-2vmpc.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030144629/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jesuit-influence-overplayed-20131016-2vmpc.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pyne attained a [[Graduate Diploma in Law|Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice]] from the [[University of South Australia]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |title=15 Famous Alumni From The University Of South Australia |url=https://www.society19.com/au/famous-alumni-from-the-university-of-south-australia/amp/ |website=Society19 |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> In 2022, he was granted an [[Honorary Doctorate]] in the School of the Professions from his alma mater, the [[University of Adelaide]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Uni of Adelaide celebrates outstanding leaders with honorary doctorates |url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2021/04/12/uni-of-adelaide-celebrates-outstanding-leaders-with-honorary-doctorates |website=University of Adelaide |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

==Background==
Pyne was a research assistant to Senator [[Amanda Vanstone]] and later became President of the South Australian [[Young Liberals (Australia)|Young Liberals]] from 1988 to 1990. He was pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for the safe [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] seat of [[Electoral district of Ross Smith|Ross Smith]] at the [[1989 South Australian state election|1989 state election]] but was defeated by the sitting member and [[Premier of South Australia]], [[John Bannon]].<ref name=po>{{cite web|title=Christopher Pyne online biography|url=http://www.pyneonline.com.au/?id=biography|access-date=20 October 2009|archive-date=30 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930142231/http://www.pyneonline.com.au/?id=biography|url-status=live}}</ref> He earned a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the [[University of South Australia]] and began practising as a solicitor in 1991.

==Parliament==
At the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 election]], aged 25, Pyne was elected to the [[South Australia]]n [[Division of Sturt]] in the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. He had earlier defeated Sturt incumbent [[Ian Wilson (Australian politician)|Ian Wilson]] in a [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] pre-selection ballot for the seat. Wilson had held the seat for all but one term since the [[1966 Australian federal election|1966 election]]. Between them, he and his father, [[Keith Wilson (South Australian politician)|Keith]], had held the seat for all but four years since its creation in 1949. Wilson was 35 years Pyne's senior; indeed, he had won his first election a year before Pyne was born.<ref name=py>{{Cite news|title=Costello backer gets his reward|work=[[The Age]]|date=19 March 2007|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/costellobacker-pyne-gets-his-reward/2007/03/18/1174152881566.html|access-date=3 December 2007|location=Melbourne|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514133349/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/costellobacker-pyne-gets-his-reward/2007/03/18/1174152881566.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{|class=wikitable
|- align=right
| Election in [[Division of Sturt|Sturt]] || [[1993 Australian federal election|1993]]|| [[1996 Australian federal election|1996]]|| [[1998 Australian federal election|1998]]|| [[2001 Australian federal election|2001]]|| [[2004 Australian federal election|2004]]|| [[2007 Australian federal election|2007]]|| [[2010 Australian federal election|2010]]|| [[2013 Australian federal election|2013]]|| [[2016 Australian federal election|2016]]
|- align=right
| [[First-preference votes|First preference]] % ||39.4||54.1||47.8||50.7||51.7||47.2||48.1||54.4||44.4
|- align=right
| [[Two-party-preferred vote|Two-party-preferred]] % || style="background:#a6e7ff;"|'''55.7'''|| style="background:#61c3ff;"|'''60.0'''|| style="background:#80d8f9;"|'''57.3'''|| style="background:#80d8f9;"|'''58.2'''|| style="background:#80d8f9;"|'''56.8'''|| style="background:#a6e7ff;"|'''50.9'''|| style="background:#a6e7ff;"|'''53.4'''|| style="background:#61c3ff;"|'''60.1'''|| style="background:#a6e7ff;"|'''55.9'''
|}

Pyne is a [[republicanism in Australia|republican]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041121105839/https://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s273634.htm Political debate on ABC between Pyne, Mark Latham and moderator Tony Jones], [[Lateline]], [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]], 6 April 2001</ref> and established himself as a member of the moderate, "small-l liberal" faction of the Liberal Party, supporting then Deputy Leader [[Peter Costello]]. Pyne remains a close ally of state Liberal [[Vickie Chapman]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/south-australias-10-most-poisonous-political-feuds/story-fni6uo1m-1226925898128 |title=South Australia's 10 most poisonous political feuds |work=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |date=21 May 2014 |archive-date=28 May 2014 |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528011537/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/south-australias-10-most-poisonous-political-feuds/story-fni6uo1m-1226925898128 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1994, after serving as a [[backbencher]] for a period, Pyne was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Social Security. He retained this position after [[John Howard]] was elected as leader, and up to the [[1996 Australian federal election|1996 election]].<ref name=cp/>

===Howard government===
{{see also|Howard government}}
After the 1996 [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] victory Pyne sat as a [[backbencher]]. Pyne chaired the Australia Israel Parliamentary group from 1996 to 2004.<ref name=po/> In 2003, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Family and Community Services, where he remained until 2004, when named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing.<ref name=cp/> As Parliamentary Secretary, he defended the government's "War on drugs" and established his strong support of illicit drug prohibition, as opposed to [[harm minimisation]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Government defends drugs policy|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=28 September 2006|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1751374.htm|access-date=3 December 2007|archive-date=10 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110082356/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1751374.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He launched the youth mental health initiative [[Headspace (organisation)|Headspace]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pyne launches youth mental health initiative|publisher=[[Department of Health and Ageing]]|date=18 July 2006|url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2006-cp-pyn049.htm?OpenDocument&yr=2006&mth=07|access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref>

[[Image:Pyne old boy.jpg|thumb|upright|Pyne in 2006]]

Pyne served as a Parliamentary Secretary until 30 January 2007 when he was appointed [[Minister for Health (Australia)#List of assistant ministers for health and aged care|Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing]]. He held this portfolio until 21 March, when he was elevated to the outer ministry as [[Minister for Social Services (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Ageing]], succeeding resigning Minister, Senator [[Santo Santoro]].<ref name=py/>

===In Opposition===
Pyne came close to losing [[Division of Sturt|Sturt]] at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 election]] to [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] candidate [[Mia Handshin]], after suffering a 5.9 percent two-party swing to finish with a 0.9 percent two-party margin (856 votes), which made Sturt the most marginal seat in South Australia. Following the election in which the [[John Howard]]-led [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] government was defeated by the [[Kevin Rudd]]-led Labor opposition, Pyne put himself forward as a candidate for [[Liberal Party of Australia#Liberal federal deputy leaders|Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party]] at the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2007|2007 Liberal leadership ballot]]. [[Julie Bishop]] prevailed with 44 votes, ahead of [[Andrew Robb]] who won 25 votes, while Pyne came third with 18 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nelson's victory puts Turnbull on deck |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=20 November 2007 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nelsons-victory-puts-turnbull-on-deck/2007/11/29/1196037074481.html?page=fullpage |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=4 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023235330/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nelsons-victory-puts-turnbull-on-deck/2007/11/29/1196037074481.html?page=fullpage |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the election of [[Brendan Nelson]] as [[Liberal Party of Australia#List of leaders|party leader]], Pyne was appointed Shadow Minister for Justice and Border Protection.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Brendan Nelson announces shadow ministry |work=[[The Courier-Mail]] |date=6 December 2007 |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22880030-953,00.html |access-date=3 December 2008 |archive-date=7 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207194516/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22880030-953,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following [[Malcolm Turnbull]]'s ascension at the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2008|2008 Liberal leadership ballot]], Pyne was elevated to [[Shadow Cabinet of Malcolm Turnbull|Shadow Cabinet]] as Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training.<ref name=AdelaideNow>{{Cite news |title=SA's Chris Pyne named Education Spokesman in new Coalition frontbench |work=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24383178-5006301,00.html |access-date=22 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923004752/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0%2C22606%2C24383178-5006301%2C00.html |archive-date=23 September 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After Bishop stepped down from the portfolio of Shadow Treasurer, [[Joe Hockey]] took up the portfolio, with Pyne replacing Hockey as [[Manager of Opposition Business in the House (Australia)|Manager of Opposition Business in the House]] on 16 February 2009.

Pyne was reappointed as Manager of Opposition Business in the House and Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training by [[Tony Abbott]] after he deposed Turnbull at the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 2009|2009 Liberal leadership ballot]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shock result as Abbott wins Liberal leadership by one vote ... ETS dead |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=1 December 2009 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/shock-result-as-abbott-wins-liberal-leadership-by-one-vote--ets-dead-20091201-k1uz.html |access-date=7 November 2012 |archive-date=30 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230184836/http://www.smh.com.au/national/shock-result-as-abbott-wins-liberal-leadership-by-one-vote--ets-dead-20091201-k1uz.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pyne was re-elected at the [[2010 Australian federal election|2010 election]], receiving a 2.5 percent two-party swing to finish with a marginal 53.4 percent two-party vote,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-190.htm |title=Sturt results – 2010 federal election: AEC |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012113536/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-190.htm |archive-date=12 October 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which made neighbouring [[Division of Boothby|Boothby]] the most marginal seat in South Australia. Pyne was re-appointed as Manager of Opposition Business in the House and Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training.<ref>[http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook/Shadow Parliamentary Handbook excerpt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731054528/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook/Shadow |date=31 July 2013 }}, aph.gov.au; accessed 26 December 2014.</ref>

===Abbott government===
{{see also|Abbott government}}

[[File:Christopher Pyne swearing in 2014.jpg|thumb|Pyne being sworn in as Minister for Education and Training by Governor-General [[Sir Peter Cosgrove]], 2014]]

Pyne was re-elected to [[Division of Sturt|Sturt]] at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 election]], receiving a 6.5 percent two-party swing to finish with a 60.1 percent two-party vote, making Sturt a safe Liberal seat on paper. Pyne was elevated to the [[Cabinet of Australia]] on 18 September 2013 as [[Leader of the House (Australia)|Leader of the House]] and [[Minister for Education and Training|Minister for Education]] in the [[Abbott government]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tony Abbott's cabinet and outer ministry |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbotts-cabinet-and-outer-ministry-20130916-2tuma.html |access-date=16 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=16 September 2013 |agency=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]] |archive-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806191147/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbotts-cabinet-and-outer-ministry-20130916-2tuma.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2014, his portfolio was renamed to Minister for Education and Training.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-12-21/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra |title=Parliament House Canberra press conference |publisher=[[Prime Minister of Australia]] |format=transcript |date=21 December 2014 |access-date=26 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227224925/http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-12-21/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra |archive-date=27 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As Minister for Education and Training, Pyne enacted changes to the education system to provide minimum standards for teachers,<ref>{{cite web|last=Borrello|first=Eliza|title=Student teachers will need to pass literacy and numeracy test before being allowed to graduate|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-13/teaching-students-to-sit-literacy-and-numeracy-test-to-graduate/6090062|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=13 February 2015|location=Australia|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214143945/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-13/teaching-students-to-sit-literacy-and-numeracy-test-to-graduate/6090062|url-status=live}}</ref> promoted independent public schooling,<ref>{{cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Emma |title=Christopher Pyne announces $70 million fund to help public schools go it alone |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-03/pyne-plan-for-independent-schools-under-fire/5234536 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |access-date=3 February 2014 |archive-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203100128/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-03/pyne-plan-for-independent-schools-under-fire/5234536 |url-status=live }}</ref> expanded phonics teaching,<ref>{{cite news|last=Bita|first=Natasha|title=Phonics, faith and coding for primary school kids|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/education/phonics-faith-and-coding-for-primary-school-kids/news-story/303a8702150430b18e53ae1c4d6c893e|work=[[The Australian]]|access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> and created a new national curriculum.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pyne|first=Christopher|title=A new national curriculum from 2016|date=18 September 2015|url=https://ministers.education.gov.au/pyne/new-national-curriculum-2016|publisher=Department of Education|access-date=20 September 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063643/http://ministers.education.gov.au/pyne/new-national-curriculum-2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Pyne also attempted to reform the university sector to introduce market principles but was rejected by the Senate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kenny|first=Mark|title=Degrees of failure: university reforms fail to pass Senate|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/degrees-of-failure-university-reforms-fail-to-pass-senate-20141202-11yom9.html|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2 December 2014|access-date=10 December 2014|archive-date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213125331/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/degrees-of-failure-university-reforms-fail-to-pass-senate-20141202-11yom9.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2014, Pyne suggested that [[HECS]] debts should be reclaimed from the estates of deceased students.<ref>{{cite web|author=Knott, Matthew |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/christopher-pyne-suggests-collecting-hecs-debts-from-dead-students-as-way-to-help-budget-20140528-394rx.html |title=Christopher Pyne suggests collecting HECS debts from dead students as way to help budget |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=28 May 2014 |access-date=2016-06-02}}</ref>

===Turnbull government===
{{see also|Turnbull government}}
[[Image:SD meets with Australian MinDef Pyne 170406-D-SV709-014 (33832478406).jpg|thumb|right|Pyne with [[Jim Mattis]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense]], in April 2017]]
Despite much speculation Pyne would be appointed as [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Defence Minister]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Glasgow|first1=Will|title=The gossip on Hockey, Pyne, Defence and Communications|url=http://www.afr.com/brand/rear-window/dont-tell-abbott-but-the-gossip-is-that-hockey-is-taking-on-pyne-for-defence-20150916-gjo72p|work=[[Australian Financial Review]]|date=2015-09-16|archive-date=17 September 2015|access-date=20 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917050146/http://www.afr.com/brand/rear-window/dont-tell-abbott-but-the-gossip-is-that-hockey-is-taking-on-pyne-for-defence-20150916-gjo72p|url-status=live}}</ref> he remained Leader of the House and was appointed as [[Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science]] in the [[Turnbull government]] following [[Malcolm Turnbull]]'s re-ascension at the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, September 2015|2015 Liberal leadership ballot]]. As Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Pyne was credited with creating and implementing the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA).<ref>{{cite web|last=Borrello|first=Eliza|title=Innovation statement: PM Malcolm Turnbull calls for 'ideas boom' as he unveils $1b vision for Australia's future|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-07/pm-malcolm-turnbull-unveils-$1-billion-innovation-program/7006952|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=7 December 2015|location=Australia|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220115614/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-07/pm-malcolm-turnbull-unveils-$1-billion-innovation-program/7006952|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the reelection of the Government in [[2016 Australian federal election|2016]], Pyne became the [[Minister for Defence Industry]] in the [[Second Turnbull Ministry]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Anderson|title=Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull unveils ministry with Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt on the move|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/malcolm-turnbull-unveils-new-look-ministry/7638492|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia|date=20 July 2016|access-date=22 July 2016|archive-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824050817/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/malcolm-turnbull-unveils-new-look-ministry/7638492|url-status=live}}</ref> As Minister for Defence Industry, Pyne was given responsibility for implementing the largest modernisation of the [[Australian Defence Force]] since the [[Second World War]], increasing the [[Australian Government]]'s investment in defence capability to almost $200 billion.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burgess|first=Verona|title=Why Pyne is the real Defence Minister|url=http://www.afr.com/news/why-pyne-is-the-real-defence-minister-20160719-gq9ffi|work=[[Australian Financial Review]]|date=19 July 2016|access-date=25 July 2016|archive-date=25 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725162020/http://www.afr.com/news/why-pyne-is-the-real-defence-minister-20160719-gq9ffi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Defence White Paper 2016|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=1 November 2016|archive-date=3 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403192146/http://www.defence.gov.au/WhitePaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between February 2016 and March 2019, Pyne co-hosted weekly television program ''[[Pyne & Marles]]'' on [[Sky News Live]] with [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] MP [[Richard Marles]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/television/christopher-pyne--the-tv-star-the-colourful-mp-lands-his-own-weekly-show-alongside-rival-richard-marles/news-story/1e3e12c35fb7c1b57eddfd950939d30b#load-story-comments|title=Christopher Pyne ... the TV star? The colourful MP lands his own weekly show, alongside rival Richard Marles|date=28 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|first=Shannon|last=Molloy}}</ref>

Pyne retained [[Division of Sturt|Sturt]] at the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 election]] for the Liberals with a 55.9 percent two-party vote from a 4.2 percent two-party swing, reducing the seat from a safe to marginal status.

Pyne has stated he has always been in favour of same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-26/pyne-says-same-sex-marriage-support-turnbull-vote-not-a-secret/8653764 |access-date=24 September 2021 |title=Christopher Pyne says his same-sex marriage support, vote for Malcolm Turnbull 'not a secret' |website=abc.net.au |date=26 June 2017 |first=Matthew |last=Doran |archive-date=2 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202082130/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-26/pyne-says-same-sex-marriage-support-turnbull-vote-not-a-secret/8653764 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, the [[Australian Federal Police]] investigated claims that his [[Twitter]] account was compromised after the account had been found to have liked a pornographic image depicting a gay sexual act.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-was-hacked-christopher-pynes-twitter-account-in-porn-mishap-20171116-gzmd3m.html|title = 'I was hacked!': Christopher Pyne's Twitter account in porn mishap|date = 16 November 2017|access-date = 10 July 2020|archive-date = 11 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200711075648/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-was-hacked-christopher-pynes-twitter-account-in-porn-mishap-20171116-gzmd3m.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Morrison government===
{{see also|Morrison government}}
Following the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills, 2018|change of Prime Minister]] on 24 August 2018, Pyne was promoted to [[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 |title=Scott Morrison announces new ministry with Julie Bishop replaced by Marise Payne as foreign affairs minister |date=26 August 2018 |access-date=27 August 2018 |first=Louise |last=Yaxley |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |location=Australia |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826125929/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-26/scott-morrison-announces-new-cabinet-after-julie-bishop-quits/10166300 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 March 2019 Pyne announced that he would not recontest the seat of Sturt at the [[2019 Australian federal election|next federal election]]; and would retire from politics.<ref name="retire guardian"/><ref name="retire ABC"/><ref name="retire BMG"/> The House of Representatives was dissolved on 11 April 2019.

==Post-political career==
Since retiring from Parliament in April 2019, Pyne has chaired the strategic advisory and public affairs firm, [[Pyne and Partners]] operating offices in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garman |first1=Liam |title=Pyne & Partners grows national footprint with new Sydney office |url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/9607-pyne-partners-grows-national-footprint-with-new-sydney-office |website=Defence Connect |date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Momentum Media Pty Ltd |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref> He also chairs Vision2020 Australia,  launched jointly by the [[World Health Organization]] and [[International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Christopher Pyne focused on improving eye care for all Australians in key peak body role |url=https://www.vision2020australia.org.au/media/2020-11-13/christopher-pyne-focused-on-improving-eye-care-for-all-australians-in-key-peak-body-role/ |website=Vision 2020 Australia |access-date=10 November 2022 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110023345/https://www.vision2020australia.org.au/media/2020-11-13/christopher-pyne-focused-on-improving-eye-care-for-all-australians-in-key-peak-body-role/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  and  the Australia [[United Arab Emirates]] Business Council.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aston |first1=Joe |title=Pyne's UAE council leaves Harley the Saudis |url=https://www.afr.com/rear-window/pyne-s-uae-council-leaves-harley-the-saudis-20200514-p54sxk |website=The Australian Financial Review |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref>

Since late 2020, Pyne has taken on roles in the Australian defence industry. He is chairman of the advisory board of Australia's largest Australian owned small arms and munitions company [[NIOA|Nioa]],<ref>{{cite web |title=FORMER DEFENCE MINISTER HEADS UP NEW NIOA BOARD |url=https://defence.nioa.com.au/latest-news/former-defence-minister-heads-up-new-nioa-board |website=NIOA Homepage |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> and chairman of the advisory board of the [[Australian Missile Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Leadership |url=https://www.amc.com.au/our-leadership |website=Australian Missile Corporation |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026093543/https://www.amc.com.au/our-leadership |url-status=live }}</ref> He also sits on the board of ASX Listed, [[Xtek Ltd]], a Canberra-based body armour and unmanned Vehicle manufacturer and supplier globally.<ref>{{cite web |title=XTEK Appoints Former Minister For Defence Christopher Pyne As Non-Executive Director |url=https://australiansecuritymagazine.com.au/xtek-appoints-former-minister-for-defence-christopher-pyne-as-non-executive-director/ |website=Australian Security Magazine |publisher=My Security Media |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

Pyne is the Executive Chairman of the South Australia (SA) branch of the [[American Chamber of Commerce]] in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Council of Governors |url=https://www.amcham.com.au/web/About_Us/Council_of_Governors.aspx |publisher=The American Chamber of Commerce in Australia |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115233055/https://www.amcham.com.au/web/About_Us/Council_of_Governors.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and an Ambassador of the [[Adelaide Football Club]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wednesday luncheon with The Hon Christopher Pyne interviewed by David Penberthy |url=https://www.adelaiderotary.com.au/index.php/take-action/join-project/lunches/wednesday-luncheon-30-september-20-the-hon-christopher-pyne |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115233056/https://www.adelaiderotary.com.au/index.php/take-action/join-project/lunches/wednesday-luncheon-30-september-20-the-hon-christopher-pyne |archive-date=15 November 2022 |interviewer-link=David Penberthy |interviewer-first=David |interviewer-last=Penberthy |website=Adelaide Rotary |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

=== Lobbying ===
Pyne was listed on the South Australian lobbyist register on 26 July 2019 as a co-owner of GC Advisory Pty Ltd, which he co-owns with Adam Howard. The firm's clientele includes Duxton Capital, Hickinbotham Group, Polites Group, RacingSA, the [[City of Burnside]] and Thomson Geer Lawyers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lobbyist Portal |url=https://www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au/#/lobbyist/121 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006164918/https://www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au/#/lobbyist/121 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |access-date=2021-06-14 |website=www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au}}</ref>

In 2021, Pyne was interviewed<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Conversation with Hon Christopher Pyne, former Australian Defence Minister |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljASXT3qPCI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ljASXT3qPCI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |access-date=2021-06-14 |website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> by Christopher Lim and Kendall O'Donnell, contributors for [[The Bruges Group]], on [[CANZUK]], [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|Australia's COVID policy]], the [[Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement]], and Australia's role in the [[Indo-Pacific]]. Pyne praised Prime Minister [[Scott Morrison]]'s leadership and COVID policy, as well as the [[Foreign relations of Australia|Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020]]. Pyne was praised for "accurately depicting the Australian perspective on the Indo-Pacific and Australia's national security interests". Kendall O'Donnell's performance was praised for his "steadfast questioning and pertinent points made around national security issues", and Lim's questions were described as "demonstrating incredible awareness of Australia's domestic debate and constitutional issues.

==Personal life==
Pyne and his wife Carolyn have four children. He currently resides in Adelaide.<ref name=cp />

In March 2025, Pyne underwent a surgery for a [[heart bypass]], Pyne stated "I am lucky to live in a time when a procedure like this is routine, and where, at 57, I can gain a renovated new heart".<ref>{{cite news |website=[[9news.com.au|9News]] |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/christopher-pyne-undergoes-heart-bypass-surgery/e6176b08-6e7c-4664-a15f-9cf77f3422ee |access-date=20 March 2025 |archive-date=20 March 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320103229/https://www.9news.com.au/national/christopher-pyne-undergoes-heart-bypass-surgery/e6176b08-6e7c-4664-a15f-9cf77f3422ee |first=Yashee |last=Sharma |date=19 March 2025 |title=Former federal politician Christopher Pyne undergoes heart bypass surgery}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
*''A Letter To My Children'' (2015), non-fiction<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mup.com.au/items/159574 |title=A Letter To My Children |publisher=[[Melbourne University Publishing]] |date=2015-08-03 |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=11 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411224341/https://www.mup.com.au/items/159574 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''The Insider'' (2020), non-fiction<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020|title=The Insider: The scoops, the scandals and the serious business within the Canberra bubble by Christopher Pyne|url=https://www.hachette.com.au/christopher-pyne/the-insider-the-scoops-the-scandals-and-the-serious-business-within-the-canberra-bubble|access-date=2020-07-07|website=Hachette Australia|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707092414/https://www.hachette.com.au/christopher-pyne/the-insider-the-scoops-the-scandals-and-the-serious-business-within-the-canberra-bubble|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.pyneonline.com.au}}
* [https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/specialandarchivalcollections/pyne The Christopher Pyne Collection at the University of South Australia Library]{{OpenAustralia}}
&nbsp;
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|au}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ian Wilson (Australian politician)|Ian Wilson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Division of Sturt|Member for Sturt]]|years=1993–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[James Stevens (Australian politician)|James Stevens]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Santo Santoro]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for Social Services (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Ageing]]|years=2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Justine Elliot]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Joe Hockey]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Manager of Opposition Business in the House (Australia)|Manager of Opposition Business in the House]]|years=2009–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Tony Burke]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Anthony Albanese]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the House (Australia)|Leader of the House]]|years=2013–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Christian Porter]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Bill Shorten]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for Education and Training]]|years=2013–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Simon Birmingham]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Ian Macfarlane (politician)|Ian Macfarlane]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science]]|years=2015–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Greg Hunt]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Dan Tehan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for Defence Industry]]|years=2016–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steven Ciobo]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Marise Payne]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister for Defence (Australia)|Minister for Defence]]|years=2018–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Linda Reynolds]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Abbott Ministry}}
{{First Turnbull Ministry}}
{{Second Turnbull Ministry}}
{{First Morrison Ministry}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pyne, Christopher}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Abbott government]]
[[Category:Australian republicans]]
[[Category:Ministers for defence of Australia]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Adelaide]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Australian House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Sturt]]
[[Category:Members of the Cabinet of Australia]]
[[Category:Turnbull government]]
[[Category:Sky News Australia reporters and presenters]]
[[Category:Adelaide Law School alumni]]
[[Category:University of South Australia alumni]]
[[Category:Morrison government]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 1993–1996]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 1996–1998]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 1998–2001]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2001–2004]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2004–2007]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2007–2010]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2010–2013]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2013–2016]]
[[Category:Australian MPs 2016–2019]]