Vale Dr Graeme Starr

With deep sadness I write to inform you of the passing of Dr Graeme Starr overnight.

Dr Starr’s extraordinary service to our Party reaches back to his time as a Research Officer for the Liberal Party secretariats in Canberra and Sydney, being mentored by Sir John Carrick. Graeme rose to become State Director of the NSW Division in the 1980s, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the former federal Minister, Rt Hon Ian Sinclair AC.

He held a number of other senior advisory positions in government, including with Ministers for Defence and Communications, as well as former Prime Minister John Howard.

In addition to his work in politics, Graeme had made significant academic contributions, holding positions at the University of New England and Newcastle University, as well as being a visiting fellow at the Public Policy Institute at the Australian Catholic University. He had also taught in the Master of Public Affairs Program at Macquarie University. His writings had appeared in numerous academic journals in Australia and United States, and he was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellow.

Graeme had also written a number of books about politics and our Party, including Carrick: Principles, Politics and Policy; Policy and Change: The Howard Mandate; and The Liberal Party of Australia: A Documentary History.

Graeme remained actively involved in the NSW Division, having served on our Disputes Panel in recent years.

Graeme was a dedicated husband and father, and on behalf of all of our Members, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife Beverley and his family and friends.

Chris Sone
State Director