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{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1951)}}
{{About|the Australian diplomat|his father, Alexander Downer Sr.|Alick Downer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Alexander Downer
| honorific-suffix    = [[Companion of the Order of Australia|AC]]
| image               = Alexander Downer (1).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2014
| order1              = [[List of High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom|Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]]
| term_start1         = 27 June 2014
| term_end1           = 27 April 2018
| nominator1          = [[Tony Abbott]]
| predecessor1        = [[Mike Rann]]
| successor1          = [[George Brandis]]
| office2             = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]]
| term_start2         = 11 March 1996
| term_end2           = 3 December 2007
| primeminister2      = [[John Howard]]
| predecessor2        = [[Gareth Evans (politician)|Gareth Evans]]
| successor2          = [[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]]
| office3             = [[List of Australian Leaders of the Opposition|Leader of the Opposition]]
| primeminister3      = [[Paul Keating]]
| deputy3             = [[Peter Costello]]
| term_start3         = 23 May 1994
| term_end3           = 30 January 1995
| predecessor3        = [[John Hewson]]
| successor3          = [[John Howard]]
| office4             = [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|Leader of the Liberal Party]]
| term_start4         = 23 May 1994
| term_end4           = 30 January 1995
| deputy4             = [[Peter Costello]]
| predecessor4        = [[John Hewson]]
| successor4          = [[John Howard]]
| constituency_MP5    = [[Division of Mayo|Mayo]]
| parliament5         = Australian
| term_start5         = 1 December 1984
| term_end5           = 14 July 2008
| predecessor5        = ''Constituency established''
| successor5          = [[Jamie Briggs]]
| birth_name          = Alexander John Gosse Downer
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1951|9|9|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]], Australia
| spouse              = {{marriage|Nicola Robinson|1978}}
| children            = 4
| parents             = {{ubl|[[Alick Downer]]|[[Mary Downer|Mary Gosse]]}}
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| education           = {{ubl|[[Geelong Grammar School]]|[[Radley College]]}}
| alma_mater          = [[Newcastle University|Newcastle University, England]]
| occupation          = {{ubl|[[Executive director]] <br />([[Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry]])|[[Bank]] [[economist]]<br />([[Westpac|Bank of New South Wales]])}}
| profession          = {{ubl|[[Diplomat]]|[[Politician]]}}
| module              = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Alexander Downer speaking about the Commonwealth.ogg|title=Downer's voice|type=speech|description=Downer taking about the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]<br/>Recorded 20 August 2025}}
}}
'''Alexander John Gosse Downer''' (born 9 September 1951) is an Australian former politician and diplomat who was leader of the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] from 1994 to 1995, [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] from 1996 to 2007, and [[Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]] from 2014 to 2018.

Downer was born in [[Adelaide]], the son of [[Alick Downer|Sir Alick Downer]] and the grandson of [[John Downer|Sir John Downer]]. After periods working for the [[Bank of New South Wales]] and with the diplomatic service, he was appointed executive director of the [[Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry|Australian Chamber of Commerce]] in 1983. He also served as an advisor to Liberal leaders [[Malcolm Fraser]] and [[Andrew Peacock]]. Downer was elected to parliament at the [[1984 Australian federal election|1984 federal election]], winning the [[Division of Mayo]] in [[South Australia]]. He was added to the opposition [[frontbench]] in 1987.

After the [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] lost the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 election]], [[John Hewson]]'s position as leader of the Liberal Party came into question. Downer [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, 1994|successfully challenged]] him for the leadership in May 1994, thus becoming [[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition]]. He initially had high approval ratings, but after a series of gaffes resigned the leadership in January 1995 and was replaced by [[John Howard]]. He was the first Liberal leader to fail to lead the party to an election, and remains the shortest-serving leader in party history.

When the [[Howard government]] came to power in 1996, Downer was made Minister for Foreign Affairs. He served until the government's defeat [[2007 Australian federal election|in 2007]], making him the longest-serving foreign minister in Australian history. Downer left politics in 2008, and was subsequently named [[Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations#Advisers|Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General]] on [[Cyprus]]. He held that post until 2014, when he was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by the [[Abbott government]].

==Early life and education==
The [[Downer family]] has a long history in South Australian politics.  Their earliest ancestors were Mary Ann Downer (1792–1868) and her son Henry Downer (1811–1870), his great-grandfather, who travelled from [[England]] in 1862 aboard the ''Eden'', settling in Adelaide.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/files/extracts/Downers_of_South_Australia_extract.pdf |title=The Downers of South Australia | publisher = [[Wakefield Press (Australia)]]| isbn=978-1-74305-199-3| first=Alick| last= Downer|date =2021|author-link=Alick Downer|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> Downer's father was [[Minister for Immigration (Australia)|Minister for Immigration]] in the [[Menzies government (1949–1966)|Menzies government]] and later served as [[List of Australian High Commissioners to the United Kingdom|High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]]. His paternal grandfather, Sir [[John Downer]], served twice as [[Premier of South Australia]] in the late 19th century, and was later one of the inaugural members of the [[Australian Senate]].<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |id2=biography/downer-sir-alexander-russell-alick-12434 |title=Downer, Sir Alexander Russell (Alick) (1910–1981) |first=I. R. |last=Hancock |access-date=1 November 2021 |year=2007}}</ref> Downer's maternal grandfather was the businessman and philanthropist [[James Hay Gosse]], whose father was the explorer [[William Gosse (explorer)|William Gosse]].<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |id2=gosse-sir-james-hay-10335 |title=Gosse, Sir James Hay (1876–1952)|first=Fayette |last=Gosse |access-date=1 November 2021 |year=1996}}</ref>

Alexander Downer was born on 9 September 1951 in [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]],<ref name="Downer aph">{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=4G4 |name=Hon Alexander Downer MP |access-date=2021-11-07}}</ref> when the family were living in the [[Adelaide Hills]] home built by his father, [[Raywood, Aldgate|Arbury Park]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Mansion Adelaide Hills 1969 |first=Sydney| last=Oats|author2=South Australian Heritage| website=[[Flickr]] |date=12 May 2010 | quote=Info Courtesy of South Australian Heritage.| url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57768042@N00/4599990950/ | access-date=31 October 2021}} [https://www.flickr.com/photos/57768042@N00/sets/72157623918667235/ Album]</ref> He is the third of four children born to [[Alick Downer|Sir Alexander "Alick" Downer]] and [[Mary Downer]] (née Gosse); he has three sisters.{{cn|date=November 2021}}

Downer was educated at [[Geelong Grammar School]] in Australia, then in England (while his father was High Commissioner) at [[Radley College]] between 1964 and 1970.<ref name="SunHeraldRadley">{{cite news | first = Alex | last = Mitchell | title = Radley pins its hopes on Master Downer | work = [[Sun Herald]] | publisher = John Fairfax Group Ltd | page = 30 | date = 3 June 1994  }}</ref> He subsequently completed a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in politics and economics at [[Newcastle University]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]].<ref name="AdvertiserShortBio">{{cite news | author = Staff writer | title = Alexander Downer | work = [[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] | publisher = [[News Limited]] | page = 44 | date = 29 August 2006  }}</ref>

== Early career ==

From 1975 to 1976, he worked as an economist for the [[Westpac|Bank of New South Wales]], before entering the [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Australian Diplomatic Service]], where he served until 1982. Some of Downer's time in the Diplomatic Service was spent at a posting in [[Brussels]], where he undertook a [[French language]] training course. He then worked as an adviser to the then [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]] Prime Minister, [[Malcolm Fraser]] and subsequent Leader of the Federal Opposition [[Andrew Peacock]].<ref name="AdvertiserShortBio"/>

Prior to the 1981 by-election Downer unsuccessfully sought Liberal Party preselection for the seat of [[Division of Boothby|Boothby]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Brough |first=Jodie |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118213459 |title=Downer, thoroughbred who came from behind |work=The Canberra Times |date=23 May 1994 |page=13 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125653482 |title=Mr Steele Hall: A move into the Big League seems certain after hard years in the wilderness |work=The Canberra Times |date=20 February 1981 |page=2 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> and in 1982 for the state seat of [[Electoral district of Bragg|Bragg]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Alex |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118214475 |title=The Other Alexander Downer |work=The Canberra Times |date=28 May 1994 |page=43 |via=Trove (National Library of Australia)}}</ref> From 1983 to 1984, he also served as the Executive Director of the [[Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry|Australian Chamber of Commerce]].<ref name="AdvertiserShortBio"/> In 1984, he was finally preselected and was elected to the federal Parliament as Liberal member for [[Division of Mayo|Mayo]], in the [[Adelaide Hills]] in South Australia. He held this seat until his resignation from Parliament in 2008.{{cn |date=June 2025}}

==Opposition leader==
[[File:Alexander Downer 1990s.jpg|thumb|left|Downer during the 1990s.]]
Downer held a number of positions on the opposition front bench from 1987 onwards. When the Liberals unexpectedly lost the [[1993 Australian federal election|1993 election]] to Prime Minister [[Paul Keating]], after the election Downer became Shadow Treasurer replacing [[Peter Reith]] who had resigned from the portfolio.<ref name="Downer aph"/> During this time, Downer began to be talked of as a possible leader as John Hewson was seen as weak following the 1993 election defeat.  In May 1994 Downer succeeded Hewson as Liberal party leader after defeating him in a leadership spill which Hewson initiated. Downer was the first South Australian to lead the party,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/john-hewson-john-howards-republican-debate-tactics-threaten-samesex-marriage-20170921-gylqbj.html|title=John Hewson: John Howard's republican debate tactics threaten same-sex marriage|first=John|last=Hewson|date=21 September 2017|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> as well as the first South Australian to lead the [[Coalition (Australia)|non-Labor side]] since Federation.

As Liberal leader, Downer initially attracted record levels of public support, even when incumbent Prime Minister [[Paul Keating]] launched a series of attacks on Downer's privileged background.<ref name=leave>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/taking-his-leave-20080701-303e.html |first=Tony |last=Wright |date=2 July 2008 |title=Taking his leave: Alexander Downer, Australia's longest-serving foreign minister, is set to quit politics |work=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=28 December 2016}}</ref> Then aged 43, he was perceived as a fresh-faced alternative{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} to a government in its twelfth year of power.

Several weeks after becoming leader Downer's support base was quickly eroded, however, by a series of embarrassing public blunders. One was the emergence of a 1987 speech to the far-right [[Australian League of Rights]].<ref>[http://www.alor.org/NewTimes%20Survey/Alexander%20Downer.htm "An Open Letter to Alexander Downer"]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324200437/http://www.alor.org/NewTimes%20Survey/Alexander%20Downer.htm |date=24 March 2012 }}. [[Australian League of Rights]]</ref> Another was the sacking of John Hewson from the shadow ministry in August 1994. A damaging incident emerged from a formal dinner attended by Downer. While promoting the Liberal slogan "The Things That Matter", in a reference to abusing husbands, Downer quipped that the party's [[domestic violence]] policy would accordingly be named "The Things That Batter". Downer also found it difficult to handle the gulf between monarchists and republicans in his own party but resolved the dispute by promising to establish a constitutional convention to consider the issue. By the end of 1994, his approval ratings had dwindled to 34 percent after being as high as 53 percent.{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}}

Another event in 1994 that would spell the end of Downer's leadership was his decision for the Coalition to support the Keating government's sexual privacy legislation. The issue divided the Coalition with several MPs and Senators either voting against the legislation or abstaining from it.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/30/history-repeats-20-years-of-political-homophobia-from-the-religious-right |title=History repeats: 20 years of political homophobia from the religious right |first=Brian |last=Greig |date=30 March 2016 |website=the Guardian}}</ref>

On 9 January 1995, internal Liberal Party polling showed that with Downer as leader, the Coalition had a slim chance of holding its marginal seats in the next election, let alone of winning government. On 11 January, Downer launched a major policy statement with ten policy commitments and criticised Liberals he saw as undermining his leadership. Downer negotiated in mid-January with now back-bencher Hewson, but this resulted in Hewson publicly declaring he wanted the shadow Treasury portfolio which meant Downer would have to sack deputy Liberal leader Peter Costello from the position to give the job to Hewson.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/blast-from-past-sparks-fresh-librawl-19950124-k68bp |title=Blast from past sparks fresh Librawl |first1=Geoffrey |last1=Barker |first2=Louise |last2=Dodson |date=24 January 1995 |website=Australian Financial Review}}</ref> On 30 January 1995, he resigned as Liberal Leader and [[John Howard]] was elected unopposed to replace him. Downer pledged his support to Howard and said he would "[[kneecapping|kneecap]]" anyone who undermined Howard's second attempt at winning the prime ministership.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Ward |first= Ian |date=December 1995 |title= Australian Political Chronicle: January–June 1995 |journal= Australian Journal of Politics and History |volume= 41 |issue= 3 }}</ref>

With a tenure of just over eight months, Downer is to date the shortest-serving [[Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia|leader of the federal Liberal Party]]. He is also, alongside [[Brendan Nelson]], one of two federal Liberal leaders never to lead the party into an election. On opposition leadership, he said in 2008, "The moment when I wanted to [leave] was just about the first day I started in the job. There was many a time from the first day onwards when I thought to myself, ''How the hell can I get out of this?''{{-"}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Fraser |first=David |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/03/2292902.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211182516/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/03/2292902.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 December 2008 |title=A gladiator in the political arena |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=3 July 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>

==Minister for Foreign Affairs==
[[File:Alexander Downer.jpg|thumb|right|Official portrait, 2003]]
[[Image:Downer-fischer.JPG|thumb|right|Downer with former German Foreign Minister [[Joschka Fischer]] at [[Parliament House, Canberra]], February 2005]]
[[File:Downer - Rice MG 9811 600.jpg|right|thumb|Downer with U.S. Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] in 2007.]]
Given choice of cabinet position<ref name= leave/> in the incoming [[John Howard|Howard]] government elected in March 1996, Downer became [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]], a position he held until 3 December 2007. He became the longest-serving Foreign Minister of Australia on 20 December 2004.

One of Downer's earliest initiatives as Foreign Minister was to work with [[New Zealand]] to broker a peace agreement in [[Autonomous Region of Bougainville|Bougainville]], Papua New Guinea, which ended a long running civil conflict.

In 1996, Downer took the [[Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty]] to the [[United Nations General Assembly]] where it was embraced by most members of the world body. [[Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction|Pakistan]], [[Nuclear Command Authority (India)|India]] and [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korea]] were among those who failed to ratify the treaty and went ahead in developing nuclear weapons capability. In 1999, the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] rejected ratification of the treaty. Downer stated

{{quote|It's pretty hard to say on the one hand that we feel very strongly about Pakistani and Indian nuclear testing and on the other hand the U.S. Senate won't ratify the&nbsp;... treaty&nbsp;... The last thing the United States wants to see is a resumption of nuclear testing or the proliferation of nuclear weapons – and it is the last thing Australia wants to see. By refusing to ratify this treaty, the United States Senate has done a lot to undermine the arms control agenda that the international community, including Australia, has been working on.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acronym.org.uk/dd/dd41/41after.htm |title=Disarmament Diplomacy: Aftermath of US Senate CTBT Rejection |publisher=Acronym.org.uk |date=1 August 2002 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>}}

However, subsequent policies of the Howard government, including export of uranium to India, and general support for the unilateralist approach of the Bush Administration were seen as undermining the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the [[Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnic.jp/english/topics/plutonium/proliferation/usindiafiles/ausamb1oct07.html |title=Australian Uranium Exports to India and US-India Nuclear Deal |first=Tilman |last=Ruff |type=letter |date=1 October 2007 |access-date=2008-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023115711/http://cnic.jp/english/topics/plutonium/proliferation/usindiafiles/ausamb1oct07.html |archive-date=23 October 2007}}</ref>

In 1999, Downer assisted the United Nations to hold a referendum in [[East Timor]] and in negotiating the entry of the [[INTERFET]] peace keeping force into East Timor.<ref name="BBCTimor">{{cite news |title=UN approves Timor force |url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/447639.stm |work=BBC News |date=15 September 1999 |access-date= 28 August 2007}}</ref>

In 2003, [[Australian Secret Intelligence Service|ASIS]] [[Australia–East Timor spying scandal|installed listening devices]] in the Palace of Government in [[Dili]], East Timor,<ref name="SMHMarch16">{{cite news |last1=Allard |first1=Tom |title=ASIS chief Nick Warner slammed over East Timor spy scandal |url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/asis-chief-nick-warner-slammed-over-east-timor-spy-scandal-20160315-gnjpne.html |access-date=31 August 2016 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 March 2016}}</ref> and later Downer signed a controversial agreement with the government of [[East Timor]] for mining of gas and [[oil reserves]] in the [[Timor Gap]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s799609.htm |work=The World Today |title=Greens & Democrats: East Timor robbed over gas deal |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> The agreement was criticised as unfair to East Timor and attracted a bipartisan letter of reproach from 50 members of the [[United States Congress]].<ref name="WorldTodayTranscript2">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s799609.htm |title=Program Transcript&nbsp;– Greens & Democrats: East Timor robbed over gas deal |access-date=28 August 2007 |date=6 March 2003 |work=The World Today&nbsp;– ABC Local Radio |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfam.org.au/what-we-do/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511173051/http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/easttimor/|url-status=dead|title=What we do |publisher=Oxfam Australia|archive-date=11 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saveeasttimor.org/ |title=Save East Timor |publisher=Save East Timor |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> The reserves were closer to East Timor than Australia but claimed by Australia on the basis of a treaty made with General [[Suharto]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/14/indonesia.australia |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Anger in East Timor as Australia plays tough over gas reserves |first=Jonathan |last=Steele |date=14 October 2003 |access-date=23 April 2010}}</ref>

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Downer played a role in the diplomatic dispute known as the [[Tampa affair]] in 2001 in which Australia denied permission for the {{MV|Tampa}} to dock at [[Christmas Island]], having picked up a number of asylum seekers trying to get to Australia by boat. Downer also played a role in the subsequent negotiation of the "[[Pacific Solution]]" in which Australia held asylum seekers off-shore in foreign jurisdictions.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

In 2003, Downer was accused of not passing on intelligence reports he received before the [[2002 Bali bombings]]. He countered that the warnings were not specific enough to warrant their further release to the Australian public.<ref name="730Bali">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2003/s882970.htm |title=Program Transcript&nbsp;– Govt under fire in Bali intelligence row |access-date=30 August 2007 |date=18 June 2003 |work=[[7:30 Report]] |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205050923/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2003/s882970.htm |archive-date=5 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Downer supported Australia's participation in the [[Iraq War]]. He argued that Iraq, the Middle East and the world would be better off without the regime of [[Saddam Hussein]] and he defended the claim that [[weapons of mass destruction]] would be found in [[Iraq]].<ref name="LatelineIraqWMDs">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s870415.htm |title=Program Transcript&nbsp;– War critics call for WMD evidence |access-date=28 August 2007 |date=2 June 2003 |work=Lateline |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715063607/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2003/s870415.htm |archive-date=15 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="4CornersSecretsLies">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2005/s1302767.htm |title=Program Transcript&nbsp;– Secrets and Lies |access-date=28 August 2007 |date=15 February 2005 |work=[[Four Corners (Australian TV program)|Four Corners]] |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013233325/http://abc.net.au/4corners/content/2005/s1302767.htm |archive-date=13 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ABCNewsIraq">{{cite news |title=Wait and see on Iraqi weapons: Downer |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1031485.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=26 January 2004 |access-date =28 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626162831/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1031485.htm |archive-date=26 June 2004}}</ref>

In August 2004, he made the claim based on official assessment reports that [[North Korea]]'s [[Taepodong-2|Taepo Dong]] ballistic missile had a range sufficient to reach Sydney, a view disputed by some.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/13/1092340463942.html?oneclick=true |title=Downer launches own missile on eve of visit to North Korea |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 August 2004 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>

In 2005, Australian members of the spiritual group [[Falun Gong]] launched action against Downer in the [[Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory|ACT Supreme Court]] alleging that his department had unfairly limited their freedom of expression.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1389215.htm |title=The World Today – Falun Gong launches legal action against Downer |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18669046-7583,00.html |title=Mike Steketee: The price is rights<!-- sic --> |work=The Australian |date=12 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412185054/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18669046-7583,00.html |archive-date=12 April 2006}}</ref>

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Downer was accused by Chinese diplomat and defector [[Chen Yonglin]] of closely collaborating with the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, even to the extent of "giving suggestions to the Chinese Government on how to handle difficult political cases". Downer was accused of pursuing an unduly strong pro-China policy and failing to address human rights violations adequately.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.nationalobserver.net/2005_spring_102.htm |title=Chinese Defectors Reveal Chinese Strategy and Agents in Australia |magazine=National Observer |first=Richard |last=Bullivant |number=66 |date=Spring 2005 |pages=43–48 |access-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223201/http://www.nationalobserver.net/2005_spring_102.htm |archive-date=2018-08-21}}</ref>

In March 2006, Downer said the Australian Government opposed selling uranium to India. Downer was quoted as saying "Australia had no plans to change a policy which rules out uranium sales to countries like India which have not signed the UN's [[nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] (NPT)." Following the conclusion of the US-India nuclear agreement, the Australian Government said it would export uranium to civil nuclear facilities in India subject to several conditions, one of which was the conclusion of a bilateral safeguards agreement.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

In April 2006, he appeared before the [[Cole Inquiry]] regarding the [[AWB Oil-for-Wheat Scandal|oil for food scandal]] and testified that he was ignorant of the huge kickbacks paid to the Iraq government, despite claims by the opposition Labor Party that many warnings had been received by his department from various sources. The Cole inquiry made it clear Downer had been unaware of the kickbacks.

In July 2006, it was claimed that six months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Downer had argued that participating in the invasion would be commercially beneficial for Australia.  Downer expressed concern that the war might lead to America taking all of Australia's wheat market.<ref name="TheAgeIraq">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Baker |title=Australia's other war in Iraq |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/australias-other-war-in-iraq/2006/07/02/1151778811475.html |work=[[The Age]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=3 July 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007 |location=Melbourne}}</ref>

In August 2006, it was claimed by a former weapons inspector, Dr John Gee, that Downer had in 2004 suppressed accurate and provable information that the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was fundamentally flawed.<ref name="SMHCoverUp">{{cite news |first=Marian |last=Wilkinson |title=Weapons cover-up revealed |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/weapons-coverup-revealed/2006/08/30/1156816970606.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=31 August 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="SMHDownerTold">{{cite news |first=Marian |last=Wilkinson |title=Weapons: Downer admits being told |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/weapons-downer-admits-being-told/2006/08/31/1156817034562.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="ABCNewsCoverUp">{{cite news|author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line --> |title=Rudd accuses Downer of WMD report cover-up |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-09-01/rudd-accuses-downer-of-wmd-report-cover-up/1252986 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208054459/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1730309.htm |archive-date=8 December 2007}}</ref><!-- Such potentially defamatory claims about people who might still be living MUST be supported with sources under [[WP:BLP]]: This claim was false.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} -->

As Foreign Minister, Downer initially supported the United States Government's incarceration of two Australian citizens, [[David Hicks]] and [[Mamdouh Habib]], in the [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]].<ref name="730ReportHicks">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1428678.htm |title=Program Transcript&nbsp;– Downer backs Guantanamo military commissions |access-date=28 August 2007 |date=2 August 2005 |work=[[The 7.30 Report]] |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208042848/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1428678.htm |archive-date=8 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="WashingtonPost">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/31/AR2007033100279.html |title=Australian Gitmo Detainee Gets 9 Months |first=Michael |last=Melia |date=30 March 2007 |newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=31 March 2007}}</ref> Downer later told the US he wanted both released if they were not to be charged. On that basis, Habib was released and Hicks charged.

A major challenge for Downer was handling relations with Australia's most important neighbour, [[Indonesia]]. Downer negotiated the 2006 Lombok Treaty to put security relations between the two countries on a stable footing, built bilateral co-operation to fight terrorism, people smuggling and [[illegal fishing]]. One of the recent difficulties which erupted between Australia and Indonesia was when Australia accepted a boatload of asylum seekers from Indonesia's Papua province in March 2006.<ref name="BBCPapua">{{cite news |title=Papua refugees get Australia visa |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4835788.stm |work=BBC News |date=23 March 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

In September 2007, on the sidelines of the 2007 [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC Conference]] in Sydney, Downer indicated that Australia planned to launch bilateral ministerial-level security talks with the People's Republic of China. Downer also stated, "China is a good partner of Australia. Whatever the differences there are between us in terms of our political systems, human rights issues, China is a very important part of the strategic architecture, the security architecture of the Asia-Pacific region and it's important we have good forums to discuss any issues of that kind with them."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29344320070905 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093145/https://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29344320070905 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2018 |title=Australia, China to launch security talks next year |publisher=Reuters |date=5 September 2007|access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref>

==Post-parliamentary career==
Following the [[Howard government]]'s defeat at the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 federal election]], Downer declined to make a comeback to the leadership and to serve on the Opposition frontbench, amid widespread speculation that he would resign his seat and leave federal politics, having spent over a decade in government. He subsequently resigned from Parliament on 14 July 2008<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/downer-quits-politics-eyes-un-role-20080703-3136.html |title=Downer quits politics, eyes UN role |publisher=The Age|date=3 July 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 | location=Melbourne}}</ref> and took a consulting job with [[Woodside Energy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/timor-spy-scandal-former-asis-officer-facing-prosecution-20150621-ghtp17.html |title=Timor spy scandal: Former ASIS officer facing prosecution |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 June 2015 |access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref> His resignation triggered a [[2008 Mayo by-election|by-election]] in the seat of Mayo.

On 3 July 2008, the [[University of Adelaide]] announced Downer's appointment as Visiting Professor of Politics and International Trade in the School of History and Politics, including contributions to teaching and research, and work with the University's Institute for International Trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news27581.html |title=Former Foreign Affairs Minister takes uni role |publisher=University of Adelaide |date=2008-07-03 |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref> He was also the vice chairman at [[Carnegie Mellon University]], South Australia.

At about the same time, he went into partnership with Ian Smith (a former Liberal Party advisor and husband of former [[Australian Democrats]] leader and Senator for South Australia [[Natasha Stott Despoja]]) and [[Nick Bolkus]] (a former [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] Senator for South Australia) in a boutique consultancy firm, Bespoke Approach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bespokeapproach.com/AlexanderDowner/tabid/59/Default.aspx |title= Alexander Downer |publisher=Bespoke Approach |access-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601104012/http://www.bespokeapproach.com/AlexanderDowner/tabid/59/Default.aspx |archive-date=1 June 2009 }}</ref>

Also in 2008, Downer discussed the possibility of working as a United Nations envoy to [[Cyprus]] with the [[United Nations|UN Secretary-General]] to help revive the peace process.<ref>{{cite news | title=Rudd supports possible Downer move to UN | date=21 May 2008 | url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/22/2252859.htm | work =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date =22 May 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080524000119/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/22/2252859.htm| archive-date= 24 May 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref> The appointment received the support of the [[First Rudd government|Rudd government]], via the Foreign Minister [[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]],<ref>{{cite news |agency=AAP |url=https://news.theage.com.au/national/smith-backs-downer-as-un-envoy-to-cyprus-20080602-2ks1.html |title=Smith backs Downer as UN envoy to Cyprus |work=The Age |date=2 June 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=2 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301030858/http://www.theage.com.au//national/smith-backs-downer-as-un-envoy-to-cyprus-20080602-2ks1.html <!-- For whatever reason, the http version is dead (won't load), but the archive of the https version redirects to an archive of the http version -->|archive-date=2021-03-01}}</ref> and it took effect on 14 July 2008.<ref>{{cite news |work=ABC News |date=11 July 2008 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-07-12/un-names-downer-as-cyprus-envoy/438140 |title=UN names Downer as Cyprus envoy |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref>

He resigned in February 2014 to take up the post of Australia's High Commissioner in London where he replaced former South Australian Labor premier, [[Mike Rann]].<ref>{{cite news |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/31/alexander-downer-will-be-australias-next-high-commissioner-to-the-uk |title=Alexander Downer will be Australia's next high commissioner to the UK |first=Daniel |last=Hurst |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> On 10 May 2016, according to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Downer and Erika Thompson met with [[George Papadopoulos]] in London and information from this meeting caused the FBI to open a counterintelligence investigation into Russia's [[Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|attempts to disrupt]] the [[2016 US Presidential election]], and whether there was any involvement by [[Donald Trump]]'s associates.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html |title=How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt |last1=LaFraniere |first1=Sharon |date=2017-12-30 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2018-04-30 |last2=Mazzetti |first2=Mark |issn=0362-4331 |last3=Apuzzo |first3=Matt}}</ref> Downer told ''The Australian'' in a 28 April 2018 interview that "nothing [Papadopoulos] said in their meeting indicated Trump himself had been conspiring with the Russians to collect information on Hillary Clinton".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/alexander-downer-signing-off/news-story/02cd18d37828c8957bfb62b18e411595|title=Alexander Downer, signing off | website=The Australian |date=28 April 2018 |access-date=2018-05-30}}</ref> Downer remained as High Commissioner until 27 April 2018 when he was succeeded by George Brandis.

He has had a number of board appointments, including the Advisory Board of British strategic intelligence and advisory firm [[Hakluyt & Company]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/downer-joins-eddington-at-spy-company-20081013-4zux.html |title=Downer joins Eddington at 'spy' company |publisher=The Age|date=14 October 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 | location=Melbourne | first1=Richard | last1=Baker | first2=Nick | last2=McKenzie}}</ref> merchant bankers Cappello Capital Corp.,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cappellocorp.com/index.php?pageID=alexdowner.php |title=Private Placements of Equity Capital Private Public Companies PIPE Financing |publisher=Cappello Capital Corp |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> the [[Adelaide Symphony Orchestra]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aso.com.au/staff_listing.htm |title=Board and Staff listing |publisher=Adelaide Symphony Orchestra |access-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125232246/http://aso.com.au/staff_listing.htm |archive-date=25 January 2010 }}</ref> [[Huawei]] in Australia,<ref>{{cite news |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/chinese-telco-hires-local-guns/news-story/e5c1feac4116360fcd9875a0408e48bb |title=Huawei names John Brumby, Alexander Downer board members |url-access=subscription |date=16 August 2011}}</ref> and the board of Lakes Oil.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/downer-joins-lakes-oil-as-rinehart-board-appointee-20130201-2dp3a.html |title=Downer joins Lakes Oil as Rinehart board appointee |first=Peter |last=Cai |date=1 February 2013 |access-date=18 February 2022}}</ref> Downer has said that Huawei should not be considered a potential national security risk.<ref>{{cite web |first=Malcolm |last=Maiden |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/huawei-a-security-risk-by-any-gauge-20120327-1vwnu.html |title=Huawei a security risk by any gauge |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2009-10-24 |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref> Downer's comments are at odds with an October 2012 US congressional panel's findings that have deemed Huawei a security threat to the US and other nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19867399 |title=Huawei and ZTE pose security threat, warns US panel |publisher=BBC News |date=2012-10-08 |access-date=2013-07-16}}</ref>

A longtime supporter of [[Australians for Constitutional Monarchy]], Downer has played a leading role opposing moves to replace the [[Monarchy in Australia#Title|Monarch]] with a [[Republicanism in Australia|president]].<ref name="Pressure for 2010 vote on republic| Herald Sun">{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23262954-662,00.html |title=Pressure for 2010 vote on republic | work=Herald Sun | first=Malcolm | last=Farr | date=23 February 2008}}</ref>{{verification failed|reason=404, no Wayback Machine archives. An archive for this URL at https://archive.today/20121230123241/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/downer-under-fire-over-golf-game/story-e6frf7l6-1111115626697 brings up an article about Downer by the same author with a different title that doesn't mention republicanism |date=February 2022}}

In 2015, he was recommended by British and Australian officials as a possible compromise candidate for [[Commonwealth Secretary-General]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Alexander Downer touted as next secretary-general of the Commonwealth |first=Lenore |last=Taylor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/11/alexander-downer-touted-next-secretary-general-commonwealth |date=10 November 2015 |access-date=24 November 2015 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> but Baroness [[Patricia Scotland]] was ultimately elected to the post at the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015|2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]].<ref name=sg>{{cite news |title=Commonwealth elects first woman secretary general |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151127/local/commonwealth-elects-first-woman-secretary-general.593722 |access-date=27 November 2015 |work=Times of Malta |date=27 November 2015}}</ref>

In 2017, it was announced that Downer would join UK think tank [[Policy Exchange]] as Chair of Trustees.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Policy Exchange is delighted to announce that our next Chairman of Trustees will be Alexander Downer, High Commissioner of Australia |agency=Policy Exchange |url=https://policyexchange.org.uk/news/policy-exchange-is-delighted-to-announce-that-our-next-chairman-of-trustees-will-be-alexander-downer-high-commissioner-of-australia/ |date=19 June 2017 |access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref> In June 2018, Downer became the Executive Chairman of the International School of Government at King's College, London. He is a non-executive director of CQS and of Yellow Cake plc.

In 2018, he was named to [[Tilray]]'s International Advisory Board.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://business.financialpost.com/cannabis/tilray-names-several-former-politicians-to-international-advisory-board|title=Tilray names several former politicians to international advisory board |author=<!-- Staff writer(s); no by-line ("Cannabis" is the topic, not a by-line) -->|newspaper=Financial Post|date=2018-12-13|access-date=2019-07-26}}</ref> {{As of|2019|post=,}} Downer is Executive Chair of the International School for Government at [[King's College London]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/alexander-downer|title=Alexander Downer AC|date=10 September 2019 |publisher=King's College London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/13/right-time-unashamedly-political-british-ambassador-washington/ |title=It is the right time for an unashamedly political British ambassador to Washington |first=Alexander |last=Downer |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=13 July 2019}}</ref>

In 2019 and 2020, Downer wrote regular columns for the ''[[Australian Financial Review]]''. In his column on 1 November 2020 discussing the forthcoming US election (held on 3 November), he declared that if he was eligible to vote in the US (which, he explained, he was not), although "there's no perfect choice", he would vote for Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alexander |last=Downer |title=Why I would grit my teeth and vote to re-elect Trump |work=Australian Financial Review |date=2 November 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, Downer joined ASX-listed mining company [[Ironbark Zinc]] as non-executive director.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-28 |title=Ironbark Zinc welcomes Alexander Downer and Paul Cahill as directors |url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/961480/ironbark-zinc-welcomes-alexander-downer-and-paul-cahill-as-directors-961480.html |access-date=2021-09-28 |publisher=Proactive |language=en}}</ref>

==Honours==
In January 2001, he was awarded the [[Centenary Medal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=DOWNER, Alexander John – Centenary Medal|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1127681|work=It's an Honour database|publisher=Australian Government|access-date=26 September 2012}}</ref>

Downer was appointed a [[Companion of the Order of Australia]] in the [[2013 Australia Day Honours]]. In the same year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the [[University of South Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unicouncil/honorary_awards/hon_doc.asp |title= Honorary Doctorates |date= 2013 |website= University of South Australia |access-date= 2 May 2014 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140223002347/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unicouncil/honorary_awards/hon_doc.asp |archive-date= 23 February 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Downer is married to Nicky (née Nicola Rosemary Robinson), who is a prominent figure in the arts community and was appointed a Member of the [[Order of Australia]] in 2005 for her service to the arts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1057619 |title=It's an Honour: AM |publisher=Itsanhonour.gov.au |date=26 January 2005 |access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> They have four children, including [[Georgina Downer]].

He is an enthusiast of [[V8 engine|V8]] car racing and holds a [[Confederation of Australian Motor Sport|CAMS]] racing licence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/downer-tops-250kph-in-v8-joyride/2005/07/01/1119724797909.html |title=Downer tops 250&nbsp;km/h in V8 joyride |publisher=The Age |date=1 July 2005 |access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.piarc.com.au/?helix=show&id=16046 |title=Alexander Downer gets the ride of his life |publisher=Phillip Island Auto Racing Club Ltd.  |access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref>

In mid-2014, the Downers sold ''Brampton House'' in [[Mount George, South Australia|Mount George]],<ref>[http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/celebrity-property-news/39486-former-foreign-minister-alexander-downer-sells-adelaide-hills-home.html Jonathan Chancellor, (20 January 2015), London-based Alexander Downer sells Adelaide Hills home, Property Observer] Retrieved 13 March 2016</ref> though they intended to return to South Australia in 2017.<ref>[http://www.domain.com.au/news/retirement-is-death-downsizer-alexander-downer-contemplates-life-after-london-20151110-gkqmby/ Carolyn Boyd, (11 November 2015), ‘Retirement is death': Downsizer Alexander Downer contemplates life after London, Domain], retrieved 13 March 2016</ref>

==In popular culture==
Alexander Downer was portrayed by Richard Binsley in the 2020 miniseries ''[[The Comey Rule]]''<ref>{{imdb title|9174536/| The Comey Rule}} Retrieved 1 November 2020</ref> and [[Francis Greenslade]] in the 2014 film ''[[Schapelle (film)|Schapelle]]''. He was also referenced in [[Kath & Kim|Kath and Kim]].

He was featured in the musical ''[[Keating!]]'', played by Cam Rogers (2006 Sydney run) and Casey Bennetto (2005 Melbourne run).<ref>{{cite web | title=Casey Bennetto | website=The Wheeler Centre | date=24 April 2018 | url=https://www.wheelercentre.com/people/casey-bennetto | access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref>

==Electoral history==

===Federal===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election year
! Electorate
! colspan ="2" | Party
! Votes
! colspan ="2" | FP%
! colspan ="2" | 2PP%
! Result
|-
! [[1984 Australian federal election|1984]]
| rowspan ="9" | [[Division of Mayo|'''Mayo''']]
| rowspan ="9" {{Australian party style|liberal|width:4px}} |
| rowspan ="9" | [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]
| 31,131
| 52.40%
| {{decrease}} 3.5
| 60.50%
| {{decrease}} -1.8
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[1987 Australian federal election|1987]]
| 35,040
| 54.00%
| {{increase}} 1.6
| 62.60%
| {{increase}} 2.2
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[1990 Australian federal election|1990]]
| 39,037
| 52.50%
| {{decrease}} 1.5
| 61.60%
| {{decrease}} 1.1
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[1993 Australian federal election|1993]]
| 42,647
| 53.98%
| {{increase}} 3.43
| 60.60%
| {{decrease}} 1.0
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[1996 Australian federal election|1996]]
| 46,920
| 57.02%
| {{increase}} 3.04
| 65.16%
| {{increase}} 4.56
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[1998 Australian federal election|1998]]
| 38,246
| 45.64%
| {{decrease}} 11.37
| 51.74%
| {{decrease}} 13.42
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[2001 Australian federal election|2001]]
| 41,529
| 52.76%
| {{increase}} 6.45
| 62.87%
| {{increase}} 2.97
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[2004 Australian federal election|2004]]
| 44,520
| 53.64%
| {{increase}} 0.01
| 61.81%
| {{decrease}} 2.49
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
! [[2007 Australian federal election|2007]]
| 45,893
| 51.08%
| {{decrease}} 2.56
| 57.06%
| {{decrease}} 6.53
| {{yes2|First}}
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[Downer family]]
*[[Political families of Australia]]
*[[List of people from Adelaide]]
*[[High Commission of Australia, London]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/specialandarchivalcollections/downer The Alexander Downer Collection at the University of South Australia Library]{{OpenAustralia}}
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{{S-ttl| title=[[Division of Mayo|Member for Mayo]] |years=1984–2008}}
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{{Succession box| title=[[Liberal Party of Australia|Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia]] | before=[[John Hewson]] | after=[[John Howard]] | years=1994–1995}}
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{{Succession box| title=[[Leader of the Opposition (Australia)|Leader of the Opposition of Australia]] | before=[[John Hewson]] | after=[[John Howard]] | years=1994–1995}}
{{Succession box| title = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)|Minister for Foreign Affairs]] | before = [[Gareth Evans (politician)|Gareth Evans]] | after=[[Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|Stephen Smith]] | years=1996–2007}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom|Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]]|years=2014–2018}}
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{{Liberal Party of Australia}}
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