Summary heading

Hon Barry Cohen

Career within Commonwealth

Barry Cohen was born on 3 April 1935 in Griffith, New South Wales. He was educated at Griffith High School, Sydney Grammar School, North Sydney Technical High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.

Cohen was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Robertson, New South Wales, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1984 and 1987.

In the Hawke Labor Government he was Minister for Home Affairs from 11 March 1983 to 13 December 1984, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment from 13 December 1984 to 24 July 1987 and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Bicentennial from 13 December 1984 to 24 July 1987. He retired prior to the 1990 Federal Election.

Cohen is an author with many of his publications making the best-seller list. He was also a columnist for The Bulletin from 1987-1991 and The Australian from 1991 to 1997.

On 11 June 2007 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Australian Parliament and to the community through a range of cultural and environmental roles and contributions to public discussion and debate.

Sources

Celebrity Speakers Web Site

http://www.celebrityspeakers.com.au/brspeaker_bio.asp?Speaker_Index_Text=368, accessed 23 Apr 2009

It's an Honour website
http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au, accessed 28 April 2009

Who’s Who in Australia 1998, pp380-381