Australia's former Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey joins Ready, Set, Lead! Podcast.  We discussed his early impressions of the United States, his time as Ambassador,  Bondi Partners,  instability in the Indo-Pacific, American leadership around the world, and the deep friendship between the U.S. and Australia.


About Ambassador Joe Hockey

Before co-founding Bondi Partners, the Honourable Joe Hockey served as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, taking up his posting in Washington in January 2016. Notably, Mr. Hockey was responsible for Australia’s relationship with the US during the final year of President Obama’s tenure and the first three years of President Trump’s term. As Ambassador, Mr. Hockey emphasized the importance of a free and fair trade and investment partnership between the US and Australia, while promoting innovative infrastructure investment throughout the US.

At Bondi Partners, Mr. Hockey spearheads the firm’s strategic direction in both the United States and Australia.

Previously, as the elected Treasurer of Australia, Mr. Hockey was responsible for all aspects of the Australian economy. With a reputation as a reformer, Mr. Hockey helped shape the modern financial system in Australia and had a major hand in the formation of industry policy, from tourism and hospitality to health and welfare.

In 2014, Mr. Hockey chaired the highly successful G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings. He initiated major infrastructure initiatives ranging from the implementation of asset recycling financing to the creation of the G20 Infrastructure Hub.

Mr. Hockey has had a long and distinguished career in public service. He first entered Parliament in 1996 as the Member for North Sydney and spent more than seventeen years on the front bench. Over the course of his parliamentary career, Mr. Hockey served as a Minister in a number of different portfolios including Financial Services, Small Business and Tourism, Human Services, and Employment and Workplace Relations. 

Previously, Mr. Hockey served as a banking and finance lawyer with a major Australian law firm. He graduated from the University of Sydney with Bachelor's degree in Arts and Law.

Mr. Hockey is married to Ms. Melissa Babbage, a company director, and former investment banker. They have three young children Xavier, Adelaide, and Ignatius.

@usglobalinit

www.unitedstatesglobalinitiative.org