Bob Halverson

Robert George Halverson, (22 October 1937 – 9 February 2016) was an Australian politician, air force officer and diplomat. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1998, representing the Liberal Party. He was Speaker of the House from 1996 to 1998, and subsequently served as Ambassador to Ireland from 1998 to 2003.

Early life Halverson was born on 22 October 1937 in Springvale, Victoria. He was the son of Elizabeth Gretta (née Ordner) and Herbert Martinius Halverson. His father worked as an electrician at a meatworks in Footscray. His paternal grandfather Bendik Halverson was a Norwegian sailor who arrived in Australia in the 1870s.

Halverson was educated at Geelong Road Primary School and Footscray Technical College. He left school in 1953 and began an apprenticeship as an industrial chemist. He enlisted as an airman, but was selected to join the Officer Cadet School where he topped his year. His first posting was to RAAF Base Townsville, where an explosion left him deaf in one ear and ended his ambitions to become a pilot. He was subsequently transferred back to Melbourne where he worked in supply and equipment. In 1990, Halverson was appointed Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives under the new party leader John Hewson. He was stripped of the position when his relationship with Hewson broke down after the 1993 election defeat, but regained it in May 1994 when Alexander Downer became leader. He subsequently assumed the title Chief Opposition Whip. He usually wore the Speaker's traditional gown, but without the wig.

Later life Halverson retired from politics at the 1998 election and was appointed the Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See, which he remained until 2003 when he was succeeded by John Herron. He died of cancer in 2016.