The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull

Australia's 29th Prime Minister (2015-2018)

Fireside chat

Australia’s 29th Prime Minister (2015-2018) had international careers in law, business and media prior to entering politics at the age of 50.

During his tenure as Prime Minister he reformed Australia’s personal income tax, education and childcare systems, facilitated same sex marriage legislation and announced construction of Snowy Hydro 2.0, the largest pumped hydro scheme in the southern hemisphere. Mr Turnbull embarked on the most significant peacetime investment in Australian defence capabilities and established Australia’s first national cyber security strategy.

Globally, Mr Turnbull played a leading role in reviving the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP-11 or CPTPP) following the withdrawal from the United States. He also struck deals with US Presidents Obama and Trump to accept refugees attempting to arrive in Australia illegally by boat

As a young lawyer, Mr Turnbull successfully defended former MI5 agent Peter Wright against the British Government in the 1986 “Spycatcher” trial before entering business where he ran his own investment banking firm. For more than a decade, before joining Goldman Sachs as a partner in 1997, both prior and following his political career, Mr Turnbull has been a successful venture capitalist. He co founded OzEmail Limited, the first Australian tech company to be listed on the NASDAQ.

Since leaving politics, Mr Turnbull has resumed his business career. He is a senior adviser to KKR and an investor and adviser to numerous Australian technology businesses as well as Director of the International Hydropower Association. Mr Turnbull speaks and writes on a range of issues including cyber security, geopolitics and renewable energy.