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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

Colour portrait photograph of Malcolm Turnbull supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

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  1. Home
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  3. Australia's prime ministers
  4. Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull was the Prime Minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018.

Turnbull government records are not yet available in the National Archives.

They will start to become available from 1 January 2036 as they enter the open access period.

Open access period

About Malcolm Turnbull

Colour portrait photograph of Malcolm Turnbull supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

  • Born: 24 October 1954
  • Partner: Lucy Mary Turnbull
  • Political party: Liberal Party of Australia

On 15 September 2015, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull became Australia's 29th Prime Minister.

In early 2007, Turnbull was appointed Minister for the Environment and Water, a position he held until the federal election in November 2007. In December of that year, he was appointed Shadow Treasurer, and in September 2008 was elected Leader of the Opposition until December 2009. From September 2013 to September 2015, he was Minister for Communications.

He was elected Leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister-designate on 14 September 2015, and the following day was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

Turnbull was first elected to Parliament on 9 October 2004 as the federal member for Wentworth. He retired on 31 August 2018.

Did you know?

Malcolm Turnbull:

  • was raised solely by his father from the age of 9 after his parent's separation
  • won a Rhodes Scholarship in 1978 and attended Brasenose College, Oxford University
  • had a successful legal career before entering politics, representing Kerry Packer and former MI5 officer Peter Wright in the 'Spycatcher' case
  • is a prominent supporter of an Australian republic and was chair of the Australian Republic Movement from 1993 to 2000

In this section: Malcolm Turnbull

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Records

Explore Prime Ministers

Colour portrait photograph of Kevin Rudd supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Kevin Rudd

2007–2010
2013

Colour portrait photograph of Tont Abbott supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Tony Abbott

2013–2015

Colour portrait photograph of Scott Morrison supplied by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Scott Morrison

2018–2022

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

Explore the stories of each prime minister's time in office through official and personal records held by the National Archives.

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