View source for Richard Colbeck

{{Short description|Australian politician (born 1958)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] [[The Honourable]]
| name             = Richard Colbeck
| honorific-suffix = 
| image            = Richard Colbeck.jpg
| alt              = 
| caption          = Colbeck in 2014
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Previous ministerial offices|titlestyle= background-color:#eee|div=yes}}
| office           = [[Minister for Sport (Australia)|Minister for Sport]]
| term_start       = 22 December 2020
| term_end         = 23 May 2022
| primeminister    = [[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor      = Himself<br/><small>(as Minister for Youth and Sport)</small><br/>[[Dan Tehan]]<br/><small>(as Minister for Education and Youth)</small>
| successor        = [[Anika Wells]]
| office1          = [[Minister for Health (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services]]
| term_start1      = 22 December 2020
| term_end1        = 23 May 2022
| primeminister1   = [[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor1     = Himself<br/><small>(as Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians)</small>
| successor1       = [[Anika Wells]]
| office2          = [[Minister for Youth and Sport]]
| term_start2      = 26 May 2019
| term_end2        = 22 December 2020
| primeminister2   = [[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor2     = [[Bridget McKenzie]]
| successor2       = Himself<br/><small>(as Minister for Sport)</small>
| office3          = [[Minister for Health (Australia)#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians]]
| term_start3      = 26 May 2019
| term_end3        = 22 December 2020
| primeminister3   = [[Scott Morrison]]
| predecessor3     = [[Ken Wyatt]]
| successor3       = [[Greg Hunt]]<br/><small>(as Minister for Health and Aged Care)</small><br/>Himself<br/><small>(as Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services)</small>
| office6          = [[Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources (Australia)#List of junior ministers within the portfolio|Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources]]
| term_start6      = 24 August 2018
| term_end6        = 29 May 2019
| predecessor6     = [[Anne Ruston]]
| successor6       = ''Office abolished''
| office7          = [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)#List of ministers for tourism|Minister for Tourism and International Education]]
| primeminister7   = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| term_start7      = 21 September 2015
| term_end7        = 19 July 2016
| predecessor7     = [[Gary Gray (politician)|Gary Gray]] <small>(as Minister for Tourism)</small>
| successor7       = [[Steven Ciobo]] <small>(as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment)</small>
| office8          = [[Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment#List of assistant ministers for trade and investment|Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment]]
| primeminister8   = [[Malcolm Turnbull]]
| term_start8      = 21 September 2015
| term_end8        = 19 July 2016
| predecessor8     = ''Office established''
| successor8       = [[Keith Pitt]]{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| term_start10      = 4 February 2002
| term_end10        = 2 July 2016
| title9           = [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[Tasmania]]
| term_start9      = 9 February 2018
| term_end9        = 
| predecessor9     = [[Stephen Parry (Australian politician)|Stephen Parry]]
| predecessor10     = [[Jocelyn Newman]]
| successor10       = [[Jonathon Duniam]]
| birth_name       = Richard Mansell Colbeck
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|4|5}}
| birth_place      = [[Myrtleford]], Victoria, Australia
| death_date       = 
| death_place      = 
| nationality      = Australian
| party            = [[Liberal Party of Australia]]
| residence        = 
| alma_mater       = Devonport Technical College
| occupation       = 
| profession       = 
| religion         = 
| signature        = 
| website          =  
| footnotes        = 
}}
'''Richard Mansell Colbeck''' (born 5 April 1958) is an Australian politician. He has been a [[Australian Senate|Senator]] for [[Tasmania]] since 2018, representing the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]], and served a previous term in the Senate from 2002 to 2016. Colbeck served as the [[Minister for Health and Aged Care#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services]] and [[Minister for Sport (Australia)|Minister for Sport]] in the [[Second Morrison Ministry]] from December 2020 until May 2022, when the [[First Albanese ministry|Albanese ministry]] was appointed. Previous to this, he was the [[Minister for Health and Aged Care#List of ministers for aged care|Minister for Aged Care]] and [[Minister for Youth and Sport]] since May 2019.

Colbeck was first elected at the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 federal election]], and was a [[parliamentary secretary]] in the [[Howard government]]. Colbeck served as the [[Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment#List of assistant ministers for trade and investment|Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment]] and the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)#List of ministers for tourism|Minister for Tourism and International Education]] in the [[Turnbull government]] from 2015 to 2016, but was defeated at the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 election]]. He returned to the Senate following a recount after [[Stephen Parry (Australian politician)|Stephen Parry]] was disqualified during the [[Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis|parliamentary eligibility crisis]].

Colbeck is a member of the [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|Moderate/Modern Liberal faction]] of the Liberal Party.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=How Morrison's shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref>

==Early life==
Colbeck was born in [[Myrtleford, Victoria]], and was educated at Devonport Technical College. He was a [[building estimator]] and supervisor, managing director and proprietor of a building consultancy before entering politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/senators/colbeck.htm|title=Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck|publisher=ABC|access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref>

In his early years, Colbeck gained qualifications in Small Business Management; Technology (Building); and Carpentry and Joinery Trade and Proficiency. He was an apprentice carpenter and joiner between 1977 and 1979; a trainee estimator and supervisor 1977–79; and manager 1979–84. Between 1984 and 1989 he was a building estimator and supervisor; and managing director and proprietor of building consultancy from 1989.<ref name="Colbeck aph">{{Cite Au Parliament |mpid=00AOL |name=Senator the Hon. Richard Mansell Colbeck |access-date=2021-11-05}}</ref>

From 1993 to 1996, and from 1998 to 2000, Colbeck served as the president of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce. From 1998 to 2001, he was a member of the board of directors of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). From 1999 to 2002, he was an Alderman of the [[Devonport City Council]].<ref name="Colbeck aph"/>

==Political career==
On 4 February 2002, Colbeck was appointed to the Senate by the [[Governor of Tasmania]] under section 15 of the [[Constitution of Australia|Constitution]], to fill the casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Senator [[Jocelyn Newman]]. He had already been elected to the Senate at the [[2001 Australian federal election|2001 federal election]], to a term beginning on 1 July 2002. He was re-elected in 2007.<ref name="Colbeck aph"/>

Colbeck was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in October 2004. In January 2006 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration.<ref name="Colbeck aph"/> With the defeat of the government led by [[John Howard]] in 2007, he was appointed to the shadow ministry as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health. He was shifted to the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in September 2008.<ref name="Colbeck aph"/> In September 2010, Colbeck was appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science by the new opposition leader [[Tony Abbott]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm |title=The 43nd Parliament: Shadow Ministry |access-date=15 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917122739/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm |archive-date=17 September 2010 }}</ref> Abbott nominated Colbeck for appointment to the [[Abbott Ministry]] as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture following the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 federal election]].<ref name=dpmc>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpmc.gov.au/parliamentary/docs/ministry_list_20130918.pdf |title=Abbott Ministry |work=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)|Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet]] |publisher=[[Commonwealth of Australia]] |date=18 September 2013 |access-date=22 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926165842/http://www.dpmc.gov.au/parliamentary/docs/ministry_list_20130918.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2013  }}</ref>

Following the [[Liberal Party of Australia leadership spill, September 2015|2015 leadership spill]] that saw [[Malcolm Turnbull]] replace Abbott as prime minister, Colbeck was appointed as the [[Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment#List of assistant ministers for trade and investment|Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment]] and the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)#List of ministers for tourism|Minister for Tourism and International Education]] in the [[First Turnbull Ministry]] from September 2015 to July 2016.<ref name="Colbeck aph"/>

At the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 federal election]], Colbeck was demoted to fifth place on the Liberal Senate ticket. He blamed factional opponent [[Eric Abetz]] for his failure to win a higher position on the ticket.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/federal-election-2016-abetz-coup-cut-me-down-says-colbeck/news-story/bd32869d7e2ed61897c521d4cd815f1c|title= Federal election 2016: Abetz 'coup' cut me down, says Colbeck|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|date=1 July 2016|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> He polled an unusually high below-the-line tally, attributed to a strong "personal vote", but nonetheless lost his seat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jul/09/labor-lisa-singh-liberal-richard-colbeck-senate-voting-below-the-line-election-tasmania|title= How Lisa Singh and Richard Colbeck used personal appeal against party rankings|publisher=Guardian Australia|date=9 July 2016|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> Colbeck unexpectedly returned to the Senate in February 2018, after Senate President [[Stephen Parry (Australian politician)|Stephen Parry]] was caught up in the [[Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis|parliamentary eligibility crisis]]. The [[Court of Disputed Returns (Australia)|Court of Disputed Returns]] conducted a recount and declared Colbeck elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-12/richard-colbeck-and-steve-martin-sworn-in-as-senators/9421866|title= Two Tasmanian senators sworn into Parliament after citizenship shake-up|publisher=ABC News|date=12 February 2018|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref>

Colbeck is considered to belong to the [[Moderates (Liberal Party of Australia)|moderate wing]] of the Tasmanian Liberals, and supported Malcolm Turnbull during the [[2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills|2018 leadership spills]]; he was reportedly the only Tasmanian Liberal not to sign the petition calling for a second spill.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-06/liberals-urged-to-put-colbeck-first-on-senate-ticket/10206962|title= Senator Richard Colbeck's 'loyalty', 'integrity' highlighted by PM Scott Morrison in pre-selection stoush|publisher=ABC News|date=7 September 2018|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> In the new [[First Morrison Ministry|Morrison Ministry]], he was appointed [[Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources|Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources]].<ref name="Colbeck aph"/> Prior to the [[2019 Australian federal election|2019 federal election]] he was preselected in first place on the Liberals' Senate ticket and was re-elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-08/colbeck-chandler-and-denison-in-liberal-preselection-battle/10217038|title= Richard Colbeck, Claire Chandler and Tanya Denison nominated in Liberal preselection battle|publisher=ABC News|date=9 September 2018|access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref>

After the election, Colbeck was appointed [[Minister for Aged Care (Australia)|Minister for Aged Care]] and [[Minister for Youth and Sport]] in the [[Second Morrison Ministry]]. Between August and September 2020, Colbeck was criticised for his handling of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Australia|COVID-19]] outbreaks in aged care facilities in Victoria, resulting in the deaths of 350 aged care residents as of late August 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-27/labor-ramps-up-aged-care-coronavirus-pressure-colbeck/12601408|title=Labor calls for Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck to be sacked over coronavirus handling|publisher=ABC News|date=27 August 2020|access-date=7 March 2021}}</ref> There were calls by the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] opposition for Colbeck to be sacked as aged care minister. In September 2020, Colbeck was also censured by the [[Australian Senate|Senate]] by 25–21 votes for failing to take responsibility for a "crisis in the aged care sector", but he was defended by the Prime Minister who said that the majority of the sector was unaffected during the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/sep/03/morrison-shrugs-off-censure-of-aged-care-minister-richard-colbeck-over-covid-conduct|title=Morrison shrugs off censure of aged care minister Richard Colbeck over Covid conduct|work=The Guardian|date=3 September 2020|access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-aged-care-minister-richard-colbeck-censured-by-the-senate/cac7accd-61ed-4a81-9000-5fd65df9aa99|title=Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck censured by the Senate|publisher=9 News|date=3 September 2020|access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> In December 2020, his aged care portfolio was subsequently passed to health minister [[Greg Hunt]], with Colbeck continuing as Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and [[Minister for Sport (Australia)|Minister for Sport]]. He held these portfolios until May 2022, following the appointment of the [[First Albanese ministry|Albanese ministry]].

During Colbeck's tenure as sport minister, [[Sport Integrity Australia]] was created in 2020 as a replacement for the [[Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority]]. A new [[National Sports Tribunal]] was also created as the avenue for appeals, replacing the role of the [[Administrative Appeals Tribunal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-set-for-new-anti-doping-regime/00f928ca-a88a-44a3-a903-ed6b046895e8|title=Australia set for new anti-doping regime|publisher=9 News|date=12 June 2020|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://insidersport.com/2021/01/08/australian-government-forms-advisory-council-to-safeguard-sport/|title=Australian government forms advisory council to safeguard sports|first=Holly|last=Hunt|date=8 January 2021|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

After the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Colbeck called for the [[International Shooting Sport Federation]] to remove Russian billionaire [[Vladimir Lisin]] as its President.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1122147/colbeck-lisin-issf-president|title=Australian Sports Minister believes ISSF should remove Lisin as President|date=April 21, 2022|website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{OpenAustralia}}

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Colbeck, Richard}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Myrtleford]]
[[Category:Building estimators]]
[[Category:World Anti-Doping Agency members]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia]]
[[Category:Members of the Australian Senate for Tasmania]]
[[Category:Abbott government]]
[[Category:Turnbull government]]
[[Category:Morrison government]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]