Robert Ray (Australian politician)

Robert Ray (born 4 February 1947) is an Australian former politician who served as a Senator for Victoria from 1980 to 2008, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He held several significant ministerial portfolios in the Hawke and Keating governments.

Ray was born in Melbourne and educated at Melbourne High School and the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He was involved in Labor politics from a young age, working as an electorate officer before entering parliament.

He was elected to the Senate in 1980 and quickly became a prominent figure in the Labor caucus. During the Hawke government, he served as Minister for Home Affairs and Environment (1983–1987), Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987–1988), Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Multicultural Affairs (1987-1988), and Minister for Defence (1988–1996) in the Keating Government.

As Minister for Defence, Ray oversaw significant changes in the Australian Defence Force, including its increasing regional focus and the development of closer ties with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He was also involved in significant procurement decisions.

Following Labor's defeat in the 1996 election, Ray served as a senior figure in the opposition. He retired from the Senate in 2008. After leaving politics, he has been involved in various business ventures and political commentary. He is known for his strategic political mind and his influential role within the Labor Party.