Andrew Theophanous
Andrew Charles Theophanous (born 24 March 1946) is a former Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the House of Representatives from 1980 to 2000, and an independent member from 2000 to 2001. He was later jailed for bribery and fraud offences relating to visa applications and other immigration matters.
Andrew Theophanous | |
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Member of the Australian Parliament for Burke | |
In office 18 October 1980 – 1 December 1984 | |
Preceded by | Keith Johnson |
Succeeded by | Neil O'Keefe |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Calwell | |
In office 1 December 1984 – 10 November 2001 | |
Preceded by | New seat |
Succeeded by | Maria Vamvakinou |
Personal details | |
Born | Paphos, Cyprus | 24 March 1946
Political party | Labor (1980–2000) Independent (2000–01) |
Spouse(s) | Kathryn Eriksson |
Alma mater | Monash University University of Oxford University of Melbourne |
Occupation | Lecturer |
Early life
Theophanous was born in Paphos, Cyprus, on 24 March 1946, to Greek Cypriot parents. He migrated to Australia at the age of eight, with his mother, brother Theo Theophanous and sister; his father had arrived three years earlier. He grew up in Broadmeadows in Melbourne, entered Monash University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours. He gained a B.Litt. from Oxford University and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Melbourne University. In 1980, his first book Australian Democracy in Crisis: a radical approach to Australian politics was published by Oxford University Press. He became a lecturer in politics at Melbourne State College and later in social theory at Melbourne University. He also lectured at the University of Nevada, USA, and as Senior Teaching Fellow at Monash University.
Political career
Theophanous was first elected as the Labor member for the Melbourne electorate of Burke in 1980.[1][2] He switched to the new safe Labor electorate of Calwell in 1984.[3][4] Theophanous was heavily interested in immigration matters, and from 1989 to 1993, was Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. In this capacity, Theophanous' committee produced a number of reports on immigration policy.
In 1993, Theophanous was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Services and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health. In December, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Human Services. In March 1994, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Paul Keating, who had enjoyed his support in two caucus leadership ballots, which made him unusual in the Left grouping, who mostly supported Bob Hawke.
Theophanous also wrote two more books: "Understanding Social Justice: an Australian perspective" (1994) ; and "Understanding Multiculturalism and Australian Identity" (1995). Both books were officially launched by Prime Minister Keating and were used in a number of academic courses.
Resignation
During 1998 Theophanous came under suspicion for being involved in migration fraud, and in July 1998 the National Crime Authority launched an investigation, codenamed Operation Legume. He was charged with defrauding the Commonwealth by making false representations in relation to an immigration matter, taking an unlawful inducement and soliciting an unlawful inducement.
Theophanous resigned from the Labor Party on 18 April 2000. His brother, Theo, condemned the resignation, calling it "an action taken by him with which I strongly disagree. I do not believe his actions are an appropriate response".[5] At this time, Andrew Theophanous announced that he would serve out his term as an independent. During this period as an independent, he initiated a number of parliamentary motions on immigration, refugees, multicultural affairs and human rights. He recontested the seat as an independent candidate at the 2001 election. He polled 9.6% of the vote, with the support of the Unity Party, but the seat was won by the new Labor candidate and former staffer, Maria Vamvakinou.[6]
Theophanous was jailed in 2002 and sentenced to six years in prison. However, he served only two years. His barrister, Stephen Shirrefs SC, successfully appealed the conviction for conspiracy to defraud.[7][8][9]
Family
Theophanous is married to Dr. Kathryn Eriksson, an archaeologist. In November 2005, she was elected as a Brimbank Horseshoe Bend Ward Councillor. Theophanous' brother Theo Theophanous is a former state Labor politician. His niece Kat Theophanous is the current member for Northcote.
References
- "Andrew Theophanous, Former MP, Convicted On Four Counts Of Fraud". Australianpolitics.com. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- Lyle Allan (1985), 'Ethnic Politics in the ALP,' in P.R.Hay, J. Halligan, J.Warhurst and B.Costar (eds.), Essays on Victorian Politics, Warrnambool Institute Press, Warrnambool, Victoria, page 141. ISBN 0-949759-06-6
- Ernest Healy (1993), 'Ethnic ALP Branches - The Balkanisation of Labor,' in People and Place, Vol.1, No.4, Page 40
- Ernest Healy (1995), 'Ethnic ALP Branches - The Balkanisation of Labor Revisited,' People and Place, Vol.3, No.3, p.48-54
- Mark Willacy (18 April 2000). "Labor shrugs off Theophanous resignation". ABC PM Radio National News. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- "Victorian Unity Party: Federal Election 2001". unityparty.org. 25 October 2001. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- "Theophanous sentenced to six years jail". ABC News Online. 12 June 2002. Archived from the original on 4 July 2007.
- "Theophanous released from prison". The Age. Australian Associated Press Pty Limited. 5 February 2004. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- "Theophanous conspiracy case dismissed". The Age. Australian Associated Press Pty Limited. 28 July 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
Further reading
- Theophanous, Andrew C. (1980), Australian democracy in crisis : a radical approach to Australian politics, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-554278-9
- Lajovic, Misha and Theophanous, Andrew (1984), 'The major political parties and ethnic affairs,' in James Jupp (ed.), Ethnic Politics in Australia, George Allen and Unwin, North Sydney, New South Wales. ISBN 0-86861-334-7
- Theophanous, Andrew C. (1994)(1993), Understanding Social Justice. An Australian Perspective, Second Expanded Edition, Elikia Books, Carlton South, Victoria. ISBN 1-875335-03-X
- Theophanous, Andrew C. (1995), Understanding multiculturalism and Australian identity, Elikia Books, Melbourne. ISBN 1-875335-04-8
Parliament of Australia | ||
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Preceded by Keith Johnson |
Member for Burke 1980–1984 |
Succeeded by Neil O'Keefe |
New division | Member for Calwell 1984–2001 |
Succeeded by Maria Vamvakinou |