Julian Leeser

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Julian Leeser

| honorific_suffix = MP

| image = Julian Leeser 2024.jpg

| alt = Refer to caption

| caption = Leeser in 2024

| constituency_MP = Berowra

| parliament = Australian

| term_start = 2 July 2016

| term_end =

| predecessor = Philip Ruddock

| successor =

| office2 = Councillor of Woollahra Municipal Council for Bellevue Hill Ward

| termstart2 = 9 September 1995

| termend2 = 11 September 1999

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1976|05|25}}

| birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Australian

| spouse =

| party = Liberal

| relations =

| children =

| residence = Thornleigh, New South Wales{{cite web |title=Meet Julian – Julian Leeser |url=https://www.julianleeser.com.au/about/meet-julian/ |language=en-AU}}

| alma_mater = University of New South Wales

| education = Cranbrook School, Sydney

| parents =

| occupation = Solicitor

| profession = Lawyer and politician

| signature =

| website = {{URL|www.liberal.org.au/member/julian-leeser}}

| footnotes =

}}

Julian Martin Leeser (born 25 May 1976) is an Australian politician. He is a member of the Liberal Party and has represented the Division of Berowra since the 2016 federal election. He was a shadow minister under Peter Dutton from 2022 to 2023.

Early life

Leeser was born in Sydney.{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=109556 |name=Mr Julian Leeser MP |access-date=2021-11-06}} His father John, an accountant, was the son of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany, while his mother Sylvia is a fifth-generation Australian whose father was a survivor of the Burma Railway.{{cite news|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22chamber/hansardr/bf6692fe-063a-41a2-9ebb-5de513f31940/0176%22|title=Maiden speech|publisher=Parliament of Australia|work=Hansard|date=14 September 2016|access-date=3 June 2020}}

Leeser attended Cranbrook School, Sydney.{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/some-cranbrook-parents-feel-ambushed-by-atlassian-boss-co-ed-push-20210422-p57lih|title=Atlassian founder's Cranbrook co-ed push finds support|newspaper=The Australian Financial Review|date=22 April 2021|first=Julie|last=Hare|access-date=20 November 2023}} He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. He sat on Woollahra Council for Bellevue Hill Ward from 1995 to 1999 as an independent.{{cite report|title=Woollahra Alderman and Councillors: 1995-1998|url=https://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/2/plans-policies-publications/woollahra-alderman-directory.pdf#page=41|section=Woollahra Alderman and Councillors: 1860-2024|publisher=Woollahra Municipal Council|date=2024|access-date=11 May 2025}} Aged 19 at the time, he was estimated to be the youngest local councillor elected in NSW history.{{cite news |last1=Wainwright |first1=Robert |title=Red tape worry inspired youngest councillor |agency=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=11 September 1995 |page=4}}[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/liberal-candidate-julian-leeser-follows-in-the-footsteps-of-neighbour-and-political-giant-philip-ruddock/news-story/2bbe6f14ff2313dbf6a0f77d4782d606 Liberal candidate Julian Leeser follows in the footsteps of neighbour and political giant Philip Ruddock]. Retrieved 3 July 2016{{cite magazine|first=Graham|last=Croker|title=Know thy neighbour approach a winner|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-253958180/view?sectionId=nla.obj-259930356&partId=nla.obj-253959359#page/n4/mode/1up|magazine=Uniken|number=396 (No. 16 of 1995)|publisher=University of New South Wales|page=5|date=6 October 1995|access-date=11 May 2025|via=Trove|issn=0312-7877}} In 1999 he served as a member of Prime Minister John Howard's No campaign during the republic referendum. In 2000, he was an associate to Justice Ian Callinan of the High Court of Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://australianpolitics.com/2016/04/16/julian-leeser-wins-liberal-preselection-for-berowra.html|title=Julian Leeser Wins Liberal Preselection For Berowra; Succeeds Philip Ruddock {{!}} AustralianPolitics.com|website=australianpolitics.com|access-date=3 July 2016}}

Career

Leeser worked as an adviser for Minister for Workplace Relations Tony Abbott in 2001 and for Philip Ruddock between 2004 and 2006. He worked as a solicitor for Mallesons Stephen Jaques between 2002 and 2004. In 2006 he joined the Menzies Research Centre as executive director, before becoming Director of Government Policy & Strategy at the Australian Catholic University in July 2012.[http://www.mercyhealth.com.au/au/ourorganisation/Pages/Julian_Lesser_Board_Bio.aspx Julian Leeser] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322014929/http://www.mercyhealth.com.au/au/ourorganisation/Pages/Julian_Lesser_Board_Bio.aspx |date=22 March 2016 }} Mercy Health[http://www.acu.edu.au/alumni_and_giving/alumni/e-news_bulletin_archive/newsletters/2012/issue_8/Julian_Lesser_to_head_government_relations_at_ACU Julian Lesser to head government relations at ACU] Australian Catholic University August 2012

Leeser has written several articles defending the legacy of Prime Minister William McMahon,[https://www.spectator.co.uk/2012/02/julia-has-nothing-on-billy/ Julia has nothing on Billy], The Spectator, 11 February 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2017.[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/31/1041196640469.html How McMahon was beaten by Whitlam and the Coalition], The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 January 2003. Retrieved 8 November 2017. as well as an obituary of McMahon's wife Sonia for The Australian.[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/gracious-stylish-and-steadfast/news-story/01c96b9b3b6dbb46b2aa3a245ea9492e Gracious, stylish and steadfast], The Australian, 5 April 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2017. He authored McMahon's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography,[http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mcmahon-sir-william-billy-15043 McMahon, Sir William (Billy) (1908–1988)], Australian Dictionary of Biography, 2012. and as of 2016 was working on a full-length biography.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/guide/bero/ ABC Guide to the Federal Election 2016]. Retrieved 8 November 2017.

Parliament

Leeser joined the Liberal Party in 1992 and served as vice-president of the Liberal Party of Australia, New South Wales Division from 2015 to 2016. In April 2016 he won Liberal preselection for the safe seat of Berowra.[http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/3855237/julian-leeser-wins-berowra-preselection/ Federal election 2016: Julian Leeser wins Liberal Party preselection for seat of Berowra] Hills News 18 April 2016 He was elected to parliament at the 2016 federal election, succeeding the retiring Philip Ruddock in Berowra. In his maiden speech he spoke of the impact of his father's suicide when he was 20 years old.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-14/julian-leeser-devotes-first-speech-in-parliament-to-dad/7844546|title=Liberal MP Julian Leeser devotes maiden speech to the memory of his dad, who took his own life|first=Anna|last=Henderson|publisher=ABC News|date=14 September 2016|access-date=3 June 2020}}

After the 2019 election Leeser became chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration and the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs.

After the 2022 election, Leeser was elevated to Peter Dutton's shadow ministry as the Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians.{{cite news|last1=Doran |first1=Matthew |title=Opposition Leader Peter Dutton unveils new shadow ministry, demoting two of Scott Morrison's lieutenants |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-05/peter-dutton-announces-shadow-ministry/101127454 |website=ABC News |date=5 June 2022 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=5 June 2022}}

He resigned from shadow cabinet in April 2023 after the Liberal Party resolved to support the "No" vote at the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/shadow-attorney-general-julian-leeser-to-resign-from-opposition-front-bench-over-voice-20230411-p5czhx.html | title='I believe the time for the Voice has come': Leeser resigns from opposition frontbench | date=11 April 2023 }}

=Political views=

File:J Leeser Parliamentary function CBR 16 May 2024.jpg

Leeser has been identified as a member of the Liberal Party's moderate faction.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Andrew |date=24 July 2017 |title=Fear and loathing in the NSW Liberal Party after democratic plebiscite push |newspaper=The Australian Financial Review |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/fear-and-loathing-in-the-nsw-liberal-party-after-democratic-plebiscite-push-20170724-gxhga3 |access-date=3 June 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 February 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=How Morrison's shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023}}

Leeser supports Australian recognition of West Jerusalem as capital of Israel, as implemented by the Morrison government in 2018. In October 2022, he described the Albanese government's decision to reverse the Morrison government's stance as "shambolic".{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-18/penny-wong-jerusalem-israel-capital-australia/101546394|title=Labor reverses decision to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel capital|publisher=ABC News|date=18 October 2022|access-date=20 November 2023|first=Stephen|last=Dziedzic}} The following month, he and deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley travelled to Israel to "reaffirm the Coalition's commitment to West Jerusalem as the nation's capital", in a trip organised by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/03/us-group-campaigning-against-australias-reversal-of-recognition-of-west-jerusalem-as-israeli-capital|title=US group campaigning against Australia's reversal of recognition of West Jerusalem as Israeli capital|publisher=Guardian Australia|date=3 November 2022|access-date=20 November 2023|first=Daniel|last=Hurst}}

Following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and resulting Gaza war, Leeser called on Australia to suspend its diplomatic relations with Iran, which he said had been "deeply involved" in the attack and was a "criminal regime".{{cite news|url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/federal-mp-julian-leeser-takes-aim-at-iran/|title=Federal MP Julian Leeser takes aim at Iran|first=Gareth|last=Narunsky|newspaper=Australian Jewish News|date=9 October 2023|access-date=20 November 2023}} He subsequently announced that he would wear a kippah in federal parliament for one week as a statement against increased anti-semitism in Australia.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-s-off-the-charts-how-antisemitism-surged-after-october-7-20231116-p5ekm0.html|title='It's off the charts': how antisemitism surged after October 7|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 November 2023|access-date=20 November 2023|first=Matthew|last=Knott}} In November 2023, in response to protests in Australia against the Gaza war, Leeser called for the New South Wales state government to ban vehicle convoys from carrying Palestinian flags, stating that drivers who participate in pro-Palestinian vehicle convoys should have their licences cancelled and their vehicles impounded.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-18/nsw-government-rejects-call-for-ban-car-rally-protests/103121968|title=NSW government rejects federal MP Julian Leeser's call for ban on 'anti-Semitic' car convoys|publisher=ABC News|date=18 November 2023|first=Helena|last=Burke|access-date=20 November 2023}}

In January 2025, following a rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia, Leeser called for mandatory jail sentences for people convicted of vandalising Jewish sites, stating that "people need to know that if you graffiti a synagogue or a Jewish communal property, you will go to jail".{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-13/jewish-mp-julian-lesser-mandatory-jail-sentences-anti-semitism/104812624|title=Jewish MP calls for mandatory jail sentences for people convicted of vandalising synagogues|publisher=ABC News|date=13 January 2025|access-date=14 January 2025|first=Joshua|last=Boscaini}}

Personal life

Leeser is married to Joanna Davidson and has two children; James, born in 2018 and Ruth, born in 2022. He lives with his family in Thornleigh.{{cite news |title=About Julian Leeser |publisher=Julian Leeser MP |url=https://www.julianleeser.com.au/about-julian-leeser |access-date=28 December 2022}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-01 |title=New baby bliss for the Leeser family |url=https://www.hkpost.com.au/news-across-hornsby/page/new-baby-bliss-for-the-leeser-family |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=The Post |language=en-AU}} Leeser is the first Jewish Liberal member of the House of Representatives from New South Wales and a member of the Emanuel Synagogue in Woollahra.{{cite news |url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/leeser-draw-strength-faith/ |title=Leeser: 'I draw strength from my faith' |newspaper=Australian Jewish News |date=15 September 2016 |first=Evan |last=Zlatkis |access-date=29 July 2022}}