Our President

The Hon Philip Ruddock AO

The Hon Philip Ruddock AO was elected President of the NSW Liberal Party in 2017.
 
Philip has had a distinguished career in law and politics and is currently the popularly elected Mayor of Hornsby Shire.
 
Prior to entering politics Philip was a solicitor, and eventually partner, with law firm Berne, Murray and Tout. From an early age Philip had also been a member of the Young Liberal Movement, serving as the National and NSW Young Liberal President.
 
Philip is the second longest-serving parliamentarian to have served in the Australian Parliament. First elected in a 1973 by-election for the seat of Parramatta, he continued to represent the people of Dundas and Berowra until his retirement from federal politics in 2016.
 
Philip served as the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and the Attorney-General in the Howard Government.
 
After leaving Parliament, Philip has served as Australia’s Envoy for Human Rights, the Chair of the Expert Panel conducting the Religious Freedom Review, and has been a passionate advocate for a resolution of the plight of the displaced Rohingya people.
 
In recognition of his distinguished service to the people and Parliament of Australia, and to local government, Philip was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Queen's Birthday 2020 Honours List.