Richard Alston (politician)

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Richard Kenneth Robert Alston (born 19 December, 1941) was a Liberal member of the Australian Senate from 1986 to 2004, representing the state of Victoria.

Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at the Jesuit Xavier College, the University of Melbourne and Monash University, graduating in law, arts and commerce. He was a barrister before entering politics.

Alston was a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 1989 to 1996, and was Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate 1993-96. He was Minister for Communications and the Arts 1996-97, Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts 1997-98 and Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 1998-2003. He was also Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate 1996-2003.

Upon his resignation from the Senate the Parliament of Victoria appointed Mitch Fifield to replace him under section 15 of the Australian Constitution

In February 2005, Alston took up appointment as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in London.

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