Robert Tickner

Who is Robert Tickner?

Robert Edward Tickner is an Australian politician. He became Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Red Cross in February 2005.

Tickner was born in Sydney and educated at the University of Sydney. Prior to entering parliament, he worked as a university lecturer at the University of New South Wales and a solicitor for the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service. From 1977 to 1984 he was a Councillor on the Sydney City Council.

After failing to gain election at the 1981 Wentworth by-election, Tickner was successful at the 1984 Hughes by-election as a Labor MP. He was Federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 1990 to 1996. His tenure in office was marred by the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy. Partly due to this affair, he was resoundingly defeated in the 1996 election by Liberal challenger Danna Vale, suffering an 11-point swing. He was one of three ministers in the Paul Keating government to lose his seat.

In 2001, his book Taking a Stand: Land Rights to Reconciliation was published.

He is the chief executive of the Australian Red Cross.