Robert Cotton

Robert Cotton built his career in industry before entering national politics. His family's timber business at Oberon developed local supplies for Australian mines and later manufactured particle board. After serving in local government and the Liberal Party organisation, he entered the Senate in 1965. He held the civil aviation portfolio and later became minister for industry and commerce. ¹

Cotton moved from the New York consulate to the Washington embassy in 1982. Bob Hawke retained him after Labor's 1983 election victory. Cotton helped introduce the new government to the Reagan administration, reassuring American officials about continuity in the alliance while broadening the embassy's contacts beyond Washington. His term also encompassed disputes over nuclear issues and the future of ANZUS. ²

Outside politics, Cotton pursued photography, exhibiting in the United States and Australia. He was founding chairman of the Australian Political Exchange Council and later chaired the National Gallery of Australia Foundation. ¹