Zdenko Matthew "Zed" Seselja ({{IPA|hr|zdeŋko seseʎa|lang}}; born 27 March 1977) is an Australian politician who was a Senator for the Australian Capital Territory from 2013 to 2022, representing the Liberal Party. He was the Minister for International Development and the Pacific in the Morrison government from December 2020 to May 2022, and previously served as an assistant minister in the Morrison and Turnbull governments since 2016.

Seselja was previously a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 2004 to 2013, and served as leader of the Canberra Liberals and Leader of the Opposition from 2007 to 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/ |title=Canberra Liberals official website |publisher=Canberraliberals.org.au|access-date=3 February 2011}}

Early life and education

Seselja was born in Canberra Hospital, to parents Ljudevit and Katica Seselja, both of whom emigrated separately from Croatia (when it was part of Yugoslavia).{{cite web|title=Zed Seselja|url=http://www.liberal.org.au/member/zed-seselja|work=Liberal Party of Australia|date=23 July 2013|access-date=13 September 2013}}{{cite web|last=Thomson|first=Phillip|title=Seselja's journey is a family affair|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/seseljas-journey-is-a-family-affair-20130316-2g7z1.html|work=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=13 September 2013|date=17 March 2013}} His father arrived in 1967. His mother arrived in late 1970 and five months later they married. Both held two jobs each.

Seselja attended St Mary MacKillop College. He graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997, a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1999 and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2002.{{cite web|title=Seselja, Zed|url=http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/members/eighth-assembly-members/brindabella/zed-seselja|work=ACT Legislative Assembly|date=22 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003090942/http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/members/eighth-assembly-members/brindabella/zed-seselja|archive-date=3 October 2013}} He received a Graduate Certificate in Public Administration in 2000 from the University of Canberra. He was admitted as a legal practitioner in 2002.

While attending university, he worked at Woolworths Supermarkets from 1995 to 1998; at MacKillop Catholic College (now St Mary MacKillop College) in 1998 as a cleaner; at the Australian Fisheries Management Authority from 1998 to 1999 as a legal assistant; and at the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services from 2000 to 2004 as a policy officer, lawyer, and then a senior lawyer.

Political career

=Australian Capital Territory=

At the 2008 election, Seselja received a quota of 1.49 and was elected first in the seven-member Molonglo electorate. There was a decrease in the vote for both major parties, with a swing to the Greens. Labor won 7 seats, the Liberals won 6 seats, while the Greens won 4 seats, giving them the balance of power. Negotiations ensued between the Greens and both major parties over the formation of a government.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/elections/act/2008/ |title=2008 Australian Capital Territory Election |publisher=ABC |date=18 October 2008 |access-date=3 February 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/25/2401247.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110202175753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/25/2401247.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2011 |title=Greens take extra seat in ACT election |date=25 October 2008 |publisher=Abc.net.au |access-date=3 February 2011}} After almost two weeks of deliberations, the Greens chose to support a minority Labor government, thereby consigning Seselja's party to the opposition benches.{{cite web|url=http://news.theage.com.au/national/labor-to-form-minority-government-in-act-20081031-5fea.html|title=Labor to form minority government in ACT|publisher=News.theage.com.au|date=31 October 2008|access-date=3 February 2011}}

At the 2012 election, Seselja moved to the five member Brindabella electorate where he received a quota of 1.8.[http://www.electionresults.act.gov.au/partycanberraliberals.html Results by party], electionresults.act.gov.au; accessed 6 February 2013. He led the Canberra Liberals to their highest-ever number of seats, claiming eight in the seventeen-member ACT Legislative Assembly.

=Federal politics=

On 4 February 2013, Seselja stated he would challenge incumbent Senator Gary Humphries (who was also a former ACT Liberal leader) for Liberal Party pre-selection for the Senate in the 2013 Australian federal election. Seselja stated he would stand down from leadership of the party in the Legislative Assembly as of Monday 11 February.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-04/zed-seselja-moves-into-federal-politics/4499076 "Zed Seselja moves into Federal politics"], ABC News Online, 4 February 2013. On 23 February 2013, Seselja won his pre-selection bid, and thus became one of the two official Liberal Party Senate candidates for the ACT.[http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/seselja-beats-humphries-in-senate-preselection-standoff-20130223-2exth.html "Seselja beats Humphries in Senate preselection stand-off"], The Canberra Times, 23 February 2013.

Seselja was elected Senator for the Australian Capital Territory at the 2013 federal election.{{cite news|title=Seselja wins Senate seat, talks PS job losses|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/seselja-gains-senate-seat-talks-ps-job-losses-20131001-2ur3c.html|access-date=2 October 2013|newspaper=The Canberra Times}}{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/briefs/brief01|title=Length of tenure for Senators in States and Territories |work=Australian Senate: Powers, practice and procedures |publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=28 February 2019}} In 2014, his former opponent Katy Gallagher resigned as ACT Chief Minister to become the ALP Senator from the ACT. With the ACT having two Senate seats, the ACT was represented in the Senate by the two former territory leaders.

During the 2016 Turnbull government second ministerial reshuffle Seselja was appointed as the Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs. In December 2017 as part of a subsequent rearrangement of the Turnbull ministry, Seselja was appointed as the Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation. In August 2018, he resigned from the Turnbull ministry as part of the failed attempt to have Peter Dutton replace Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

When Scott Morrison succeeded Turnbull as prime minister in August 2018, Seselja was appointed Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance. His portfolio was changed to Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters in May 2019 following the 2019 federal election.{{cite Au Parliament |mpid=HZE |name=Senator the Hon. Zed Seselja |access-date=2021-11-11}}

Seselja was appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific on 22 December 2020.

On 12 April 2022, Seselja flew to the Solomon Islands over a military deal that the Pacific nation was to conclude with China. The deal would allow China to station navy ships and military personnel in order to protect its investment infrastructure. The mission, supported by both of Australia's major parties and taking place during a "caretaker" period in which Seselja fought for his re-election to the Australian Senate, was considered by observers to reflect strategic anxieties over the deal, which extended to allies New Zealand and the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australian-minister-makes-urgent-trip-to-solomon-islands-over-china-deal-20220412-p5ad0q.html|title=Australian minister makes urgent trip to Solomon Islands over China deal|first1=Angus|last1=Livingston|first2=Eryk|last2=Bagshaw|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2022-04-12|access-date=2022-04-20}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-12/australia-election-honiara-solomon-islands-china-military-pact/100986010|title=Minister Zed Seselja to make mid-election dash to Honiara as fears grow over Solomon Islands-China military pact|first1=Andrew|last1=Greene|first2=Stephen|last2=Dziedzic|work=ABC Australia|date=2022-04-12|access-date=2022-04-12}} The deal was signed days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/19/china-and-solomon-islands-sign-security-deal-chinese-foreign-ministry-says|title=Solomon Islands-China pact is worst policy failure in Pacific since 1945, Labor says |first1=Daniel|last1=Hurst|first2=Josh|last2=Butler|agency=Reuters|work=The Guardian|date=2022-04-20|access-date=2022-04-20}}

He was unseated at the 2022 federal election by the independent candidate, David Pocock.{{cite news |title=David Pocock officially declared first independent senator for the ACT, unseating Liberal Zed Seselja |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-14/david-pocock-independent-wins-act-senate-unseats-zed-seselja/101149606 |access-date=14 June 2022 |work=ABC News |date=14 June 2022 |language=en-AU}}

=Political views=

Seselja is a member of the National Right faction of the Liberal Party.{{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}}

Seselja's political views have been described as conservative and aligned with the views of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, although he is a republican.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/what-lies-beyond-a-process-bathed-in-bad-blood-20130327-2gv28.html|title=What lies beyond a process bathed in bad blood?|last=Peake|first=Ross|date=28 March 2013|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=27 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/seseljas-bid-for-senate-seat-a-win-for-the-greens-20130204-2dtjo.html|title=Seselja's bid for Senate seat a win for the Greens|last=Peake|first=Ross|date=4 February 2013|work=Canberra Times|access-date=27 March 2013}} He opposes same-sex marriage,{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-28/liberal-zed-seselja-will-abstain-from-same-sex-marriage-vote/7549440|title=Seselja 'likely' to abstain from same-sex marriage vote|first=James|last=Fettes|date=28 June 2016|website=ABC News}} supports cutting penalty rates,{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-23/zed-seselja-backs-cutting-sunday-penalty-rates/7049516|title=Liberal senator breaks ranks to push for Sunday penalty rate cut|first=political reporter Dan|last=Conifer|date=23 December 2015|website=ABC News}} however, he also opposes assisted suicide.{{cite news|last1=Seselja|first1=Zed|title=Why I'm voting 'no' on the assisted suicide bill: Seselja|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-i-m-voting-no-on-the-assisted-suicide-bill-seselja-20180813-p4zx94.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|issue=Website|date=13 August 2018}} Seselja abstained from the Senate vote{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/act-liberal-senator-zed-seselja-backtracks-on-pledge-to-honour-samesex-marriage-vote-20171129-gzvcr6.html|title=ACT Liberal Senator Zed Seselja backtracks on pledge to honour same-sex marriage vote|last=McIlroy|first=Tom|website=Canberra Times|date=30 November 2017|access-date=22 August 2018}} on same-sex marriage in November 2017, despite having promised to honour the national postal result three months earlier.

On 15 August 2018, he voted 'no' to the Restoring Territory Rights (Assisted Suicide Legislation) Bill 2015, which would have restored to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly the authority to legislate on the matter of voluntary assisted dying.{{cite web|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/chamber/journals/b9e3f43e-4583-439a-8f34-a21c20d140b0/toc_pdf/sen-jn.pdf;fileType=application/pdf |title=JOURNALS OF THE SENATE |date=2018 |website=parlinfo.aph.gov.au |format=PDF}}{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/act/this-is-not-the-end-act-reels-after-senate-rejects-territory-rights-20180816-p4zxra.html?ref=rss|title='This is not the end': ACT reels after Senate rejects territory rights|last=Burgess|first=Katie|website=Canberra Times|date=16 August 2018|access-date=22 August 2018}}

Personal life

Seselja is a Roman Catholic.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Cathy|title=And then there were none: ACT Lib moderate faces the chop|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2013/02/05/and-then-there-were-none-act-lib-moderate-faces-the-chop/?wpmp_switcher=mobile|work=Crikey|access-date=13 September 2013|date=5 February 2013}}{{cite web|last=Moloney|first=John-Paul|title=Anti-gay candidate 'like the Taliban': Seselja|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/antigay-candidate-like-the-taliban-seselja-20120924-26ftj.html|work=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=13 September 2013|date=24 September 2012}} He and his wife Roslyn have five children. He is currently a patron/supporter of Karinya House, a member of the Australian Republic Movement and the Australian Red Cross, a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul, and a KeepWatch Ambassador with the Royal Lifesaving Society (since 2008); he was formerly a mentor for Menslink from 2001 to 2004.

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.zedseselja.com.au}}
[http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?art_id=2242&nav_cat_id=201&nav_top_id=57&smenu=13 Zed Seselja bio] on Liberal Party of Australia (ACT) website
[https://twitter.com/ZedSeselja Zed Seselja] on Twitter
{{cci}}
[https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/act/zed_seselja Summary of parliamentary voting for Senator Zed Seselja on TheyVoteForYou.org.au]

{{s-ttl|title=Minister for International Development and the Pacific|years=2020–2022}}

{{s-bef|before=Craig Laundy|as=Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science}}

{{s-ttl|title=Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation |years=2017–2018}}

{{s-bef|before=Craig Laundy|as=Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs}}

{{s-ttl|title=Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs |years=2016–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Alan Tudge |as=Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs }}