The winning run continues for Australian election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby AO, named Australian of the Year in the United Kingdom at a glittering awards ceremony in London.
The accolade, acknowledging Mr Crosby’s “outstanding reputation in British politics”, was presented by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Hon Alexander Downer AC.
“It was a great honour”, Mr Crosby told SBS News.
“Obviously there’s been some issues in the last year or so that have meant that an Australian has had some impact on what’s gone on in this country, but that’s for others to judge.
“For Australians coming to the UK to be able to have the opportunity to fit in and make a contribution is a really great thing and the thing about Australians in London is they seem to punch above their weight in all sorts of walks of life from theatre to business and even politics.
Sir Lynton Crosby receives his Australian of the Year in the United Kingdom award from High Commissioner Alexander Downer. Source: SBS News
“Australians do have quite a big part to play in the UK so it’s good that that contribution by Australians is recognised.”
The Australian of the Year in the UK gala has been an annual event since 2004 and precious winners include Kylie Minogue, Meredith Hooper, Frederick Fox, Barry Humphries, Stuart Devlin, John Williams, Gill Hicks, Sir Michael Hintze, Sir Charles Mackerras, Professor Lord May of Oxford, Professor Lord Broers of Cambridge and Clive James.
Nicknamed “The Wizard of Oz” for his role in engineering conservative election victories for former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr Crosby was controversially awarded a knighthood on the New Years Honours List.
British Opposition MPs said it was “outrageous” Mr Crosby was being honoured by the government he had campaigned for.
Speaking for the first time about his knighthood, Mr Crosby told SBS News his inclusion on the Honours List was “for others to judge”.
“Well, I think there’s a couple of points to make”, Mr Crosby said.
“It was recognition for services to politics, which is where I have been active in this country.
“I think that the truth is, over the years, well, many years, people who’ve made a contribution to the UK through politics or other ways are recognised through these orders.
“Of course you’ll always get your critics, but you’ve just got to be confident in your own contribution.”
Born in Kadina, South Australia, Crosby studied economics at the University of Adelaide before he became involved with the Australian Liberal Party.
Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer told reporters he and Mr Crosby had “started out together” in the South Australian branch of the Liberal Party.
It was revealed last week that Mr Crosby’s company, CTF Partners Limited, was paid $4.8 million by the Conservative Party during the 2015 election.
SBS News asked Mr Downer if awarding Mr Crosby the title of Australian of the Year in the United Kingdom was in “the spirit” of the awards.
“Oh definitely,” he said.
“At the end of the day, he’s the man who crafted the campaign that has lead to the existence of the present government in the UK so in that sense he’s a very important person.
“He has had a huge impact here in the UK. It seems entirely appropriate actually, I think the British government would very much appreciate it.
“Of course he has worked as a hired gun for the Conservative Party.
“I suppose if he worked for the Labour Party some Conservatives would grit their teeth, if he works for the Conservatives, Labour would grit their teeth – there’s a bit of that.
“And that’s why the team on the Australia Day Foundation - who make the decision, not the Australian Government, obviously - decided that he should be the Australian of the Year, here in the UK.”
Mr Downer said he would like to attend the ceremony at Buckingham Palace when Mr Crosby visits the Queen to officially receive his honour.
“I wouldn’t mind going because he’s been honoured by the queen on the recommendation of the British government,” he said.
“This is an example of an Australian doing incredibly well here in the UK and I think as the High Commissioner I think it is important I do what I can to promote and support Australians living and working here.”
When asked if winning the 2015 General Election was his greatest achievement, Mr Crosby said each victory brings a unique satisfaction.
“It was a tough election, because in the UK – and here I give some praise to the Australian media – the media are so intense and probably more partisan in some respects,” he said.
“It’s a very aggressive environment in which you operate.
“Every election is of itself a hard fight and the 2015 election was certainly no different.
“I was always confident David Cameron would be Prime Minister and that we could win the election.
“Between 1950 and 1992 there were 1000 opinion polls in the United Kingdom and between 1992 and 2015 there were 3600, so polls have themselves become part of the political process."
“The Australia Day Foundation is delighted to give Lynton this award,” Australia Day Foundation Director Bill Muirhead said.
“A world leader in his profession and a great Australian, we are pleased to recognise his contribution here in the UK.”
Other recipients of Australia Day Foundation awards included renowned British chef and restaurateur, Rick Stein, who was awarded the Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK and saxophonist Amy Dickson who was awarded Young Australian of the Year in the UK 2016.
The Veronicas were among those who walked the “green carpet” under the chandeliers at Australia House, performing an acoustic rendition of the Australian National Anthem.
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