Alexander Downer

The Honourable Alexander Downer AC
Leader of the Opposition
In office 23 May 1994 – 30 January 1995
Prime Minister	Paul Keating
Deputy	Peter Costello
Preceded by	John Hewson
Succeeded by	John Howard
10th Leader of the Liberal Party
In office 23 May 1994 – 30 January 1995
Deputy	Peter Costello
Preceded by	John Hewson
Succeeded by	John Howard
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 11 March 1996 – 3 December 2007
Prime Minister	John Howard
Preceded by	Gareth Evans
Succeeded by	Stephen Smith
Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office 27 June 2014 – 27 April 2018
Nominated by	Tony Abbott
Preceded by	Mike Rann
Succeeded by	George Brandis
Member of the Australian Parliament for Mayo
In office 1 December 1984 – 14 July 2008
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Jamie Briggs
Personal details
Born	Alexander John Gosse Downer (1951-09-09) 9 September 1951 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Nicola Robinson ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	4
Parents	Alick Downer Mary Gosse
Education	Geelong Grammar School Radley College
Alma mater	Newcastle University, England
Occupation	Executive director (Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Bank economist (Bank of New South Wales)
Profession	Diplomat Politician

Alexander John Gosse Downer is an Australian former politician and diplomat. He served as the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Party from 1994 until 1995, then later as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 until 2007 under John Howard.