Greater Melbourne Area
Richard Alston’s first career was as a barrister, with an extensive practice in the fields of crime, personal injuries, administrative law and commercial law. He then had a distinguished career in federal politics, serving as a senator for Victoria for 18 years, on the front bench for 15 years and deputy leader in the Senate for 10 years. He is Australia’s longest serving Communications as well as Arts minister, having served as Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts for nearly eight years. He has had extensive overseas experience having led more than a dozen highly successful trade missions around the world. His industry recognitions include Best Asian Communications Minister, an award for Outstanding Contribution to the IT industry, an outstanding service award from the Australian Venture Capital Association and the Charles Todd medal for outstanding services to the telecommunications industry. He served three years as Australian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to the United Kingdom before embarking on a wide ranging business career which has included seven years on the international board of one of the world's largest hedge funds, six years as a director of a UK public company, chairman of three public companies in Australia, a member of the Asia Pacific advisory board of one of the largest international telecommunications companies and a director of a number of other public and private companies. He has been a member of the national and Victorian boards of the Australia China Business Council. and is currently a director of China Telecom. His other current positions include director of China Telecom (Australia), Chairman of National Advisory, a Canberra based corporate advisory firm, Chairman of Australia’s largest strawberry farm, a member of the governing council of the National Gallery in Canberra and Chairman of a financial wellness company. He has been an adjunct professor at Bond University for many years and more recently at the University of NSW.
National Advisory provides trusted advice and personalised support to deliver strategic outcomes for companies, industry groups and not-for-profits, including with all levels of government. The National Advisory team has a proven record of driving policy reform. finding solutions to complex problems, running successful campaigns and negotiating major transactions.
The National Gallery is one of Australia's pre-eminent national cultural institutions
CTAU is the Australian offshoot of one of the world's largest telecommunications companies.
Sunny Ridge is Australia's largest strawberry farm and Victoria's largest raspberry farm.