Patrons
Patron
The Advance.org Patron is the Prime Minister of Australia. The Australian Government has seen the enormous potential in our diaspora for soft power and economic links around the world. Our Patrons share a commitment to the Australian diaspora and the work of Advance.org.
The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Australia’s 31th Prime Minister
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP was sworn in as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia on 23 May 2022. Mr Albanese was elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Grayndler in 1996.
The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Australia’s 30th Prime Minister
“Overseas Australians are connected by common aspirations and achievements which is what Advance is all about. So it’s terrific that the Awards allow us to celebrate some of our remarkable expats who are making a vital contribution in so many places around the world.”
The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister
“A million adventurous, enterprising, creative, innovative, competitive Australians right around the world… The important thing is to harness this smart grid of human capital and we’re doing that. Advance harnesses that enormous smart grid of human capital; our diaspora… It was an historic achievement to set up Advance … The strides that Advance has made are extraordinary… It will be a key element in our nation’s very bright future.”
Mr Turnbull also encourages global Australians to join the Advance Awards Celebration.
The Hon. Tony Abbott, Australia’s 28th Prime Minister
“The Advance community reflects two fundamental characteristics of Australians that are deep in our DNA… The commitment to a ‘fair go’; and the determination to ‘have a go’. Advance brings together and embodies the best of Australian talent who have gravitated to compete and do their best on the world stage.”
The Hon. Julia Gillard, Australia’s 27th Prime Minister
“The Advance network brings together an amazing array of distinguished and rising Australians … In our globalised world, strong and productive networks with our fellow Australians will underpin our continued growth and prosperity, leveraging our skills and knowledge to promote our nation and its achievements to the wider world.”
The Hon. Kevin Rudd AC, Australia’s 26th Prime Minister
“Many Australian professionals working overseas for extended periods are doing so because their talents are highly prized by international companies… Advance has forged an impressive role for itself in bringing these talented global Australians together and channelling their energies into the promotion of Australia.”
The Hon. John Howard OM AC Australia’s 25th Prime Minister
Prime Minister Howard famously observed:
“Our greatest exports are not of course iron ore important though that is, or tourism important though that is, wheat, coal and all the other things that we export….our greatest exports are our people. There are a million of you dotted around the world, saving lives, inventing things, being at the forefront of information technology”
“The concept of Advance is really quite superb. What it does is to challenge in the most emphatic way, that rather silly notion that in some way Australia is diminished by some of the brightest and the best of our country going overseas and making an enormous contribution to the societies and the economies of other parts of the world.”
Founding Patrons
The establishment of Advance.org was made possible by the generosity and vision of our Founding Patrons.
Anthony Pratt
Executive Chairman, Visy Industries
Executive Chairman, Pratt Industries
Lachlan Murdoch
Executive Chairman of Nova Entertainment
Co-chairman of News Corp
Executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation
Founder of Australian investment company Illyria Pty Ltd
Director of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art
Peter Lowy
Principal of The Lowy Family Group