About Michael

Michael Johnson, 38, is in his third term as a Member of the Australian Parliament where he represents the Federal seat of ‘Ryan’ in Brisbane, Queensland. He is the first Member of the House of Representatives to have Chinese heritage. He holds a Masters Degree from the University of Cambridge and is a 2004 graduate of the Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Leaders’ Program at Harvard.  

In 2003, Michael led Australia’s contribution to the UN Observer Delegation on the Cambodian National Election. He has a deep interest in international relations, global trade issues and energy issues.

Michael was named in 2007 as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the Geneva based World Economic Forum (WEF). Michael is Chairman of the Australia-China Business Forum, and is a Member of the Asia Society’s International Advisory Board and sits on the Australian Advisory Board.

Michael was recently appointed to the position of Federal Whip in the Australian Opposition Party. Michael lives in Brisbane with his wife, Huyen, and their baby son, Ryan. 

EXTENDED BIO

Elected at the 2001 national election, in 2004, and again in, 2007, Michael is 38 and one of the youngest Members in the Australian Parliament. He is also the first Member of the House of Representatives to have Chinese heritage. Prior to his election, Michael worked for the international law firm, Minter Ellison, and tutored in international relations and law at university. He was admitted as a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia.

• Michael is a graduate in Arts and Law from the University of Queensland.
• Michael holds a Masters Degree from the University of Cambridge & the University of Birmingham.
• He was an Australian Chevening Scholar for 1995 & a Charles Hawker Cambridge Scholar for 1996.
• Michael is also a 2004 graduate of the Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Leaders’ Program at Harvard University.

Michael has spoken/participated at the following national and international events:

• Australia-Japan Bilateral Dialogue, Tokyo, 2003.
• Fortune 500 Global CEO Conference in Beijing, 2004.
• Global Conference on HIV/AIDS, Islamabad, 2005.
• Australian Davos Forum’s Melbourne Leadership Summit, 2005. 

• Inaugural China International Tyre Conference in Qingdao, 2005.
• Europe-China Business Summit, Geneva, November 2005 & September 2006.
• Boao Forum for Asia CEO Summit, Shenzhen, November 2005.
• Australia-China Media Forum, Sydney, April 2006.
• Boao Forum for Asia Conference - Hainan Island, China, April 2006 & 2007.  
• Australia-Malaysia Bilateral Relations Conference, Melbourne, June 2006.
• OECD Parliamentary Roundtable, Paris, October 2006.
• Asia Society ‘s 21st Century Young Leader’s Summit, Seoul, November 2006.
• Boao Forum for Asia Recycling Economy & Sustainable Development Conference, Shenzhen, November 2006.
• International Democratic Union, Ottawa, Canada, February 2007.
• World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders (YGL) – Dalian, China, September, 2007.
• World Future Council/E-Parliament Forum on Renewable Energy, Bali, December 2007.
• World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders (YGL) –Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, May 2008.

In 2003, Michael led Australia’s contribution to the UN Observer Delegation of the Cambodian general elections. He has a deep interest in international relations, global energy issues as well as the international trading regime and international governance. He is Co-Chairman of the prestigious Boao Forum for Asia’s “21st Century Leaders Roundtable”. Michael has recently been named by the Geneva based World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Global Young Leader (GYL) for 2007. Michael is Chairman of the Australia-China Business Forum (ACBF), sits on the Australian Advisory Board of the Asia Society, and was invited in January 2007 to sit on the Asia Society’s International Advisory Board.   He is also a Fellow of Asia 21.

Michael was recently appointed to the position of Opposition Whip of the Federal Coalition. Michael lives in Brisbane with his wife, Huyen, and their baby son, Ryan.  

CLICK HERE For a printable version of Michael’s CV