Tim Fischer is a retired politician who served as deputy prime minister of Australia for three years and as leader of the Australian National Party for 10. Fisher earned a reputation as a determined and compassionate leader in the wake of the Port Arthur Massacre through his backing of strict gun control laws. Despite being widely opposed in the rural areas that provided the National Party with much of its voter base, Fischer supported the introduction of tougher laws on gun control penned after the incident. He said his time as a soldier in the Vietnam War had gave him a dislike of guns.

Following his retirement from politics, Fischer has worked in a number of leadership and directorship roles with private businesses and NGOs. Fischer’s involvement in charity work led him to assist organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Fred Hollows Foundation and Autism New South Wales.

Fischer worked as the chairman of Tourism Australia between 2004 and 2007 and as the National Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service the following year. He recently finished a period as Australia’s first Ambassador to the Vatican, a time in which he worked closely with the Holy See on the canonisation of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop. In 2005, Fischer received Australia’s highest civilian honour, when he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.