Alistair Coe | |
Office: | Leader of the Opposition of the Australian Capital Territory Elections: 2020 |
Deputy: | Nicole Lawder |
Predecessor: | Jeremy Hanson |
Successor: | Elizabeth Lee |
Term Start: | 25 October 2016 |
Term End: | 27 October 2020 |
Constituency Am1: | Yerrabi |
Assembly1: | Australian Capital Territory Legislative |
Term Start1: | 15 October 2016 |
Term End1: | 12 March 2021 |
Successor1: | James Milligan |
Constituency Am2: | Ginninderra |
Assembly2: | Australian Capital Territory Legislative |
Birth Date: | 9 January 1984 |
Birth Place: | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
Birthname: | Alistair Bruce Coe |
Nationality: | Australian |
Party: | Liberal |
Spouse: | Yasmin Coe |
Alma Mater: | Australian National University |
Alistair Bruce Coe (born 9 January 1984) is an Australian politician and a former leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). He was a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 2008 to 2021, representing the Ginninderra electorate from 2008 to 2016 and the Yerrabi electorate from 2016 to 2021.[1] [2] [3] As Opposition Leader Coe led the Liberal Party to defeat at the 2020 election. He chose not to re-contest the party's leadership position, and resigned from the Assembly in 2021.[4]
Coe's first speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly was on 9 December 2008.
His portfolio responsibilities[2] from 2008 to 2012 were as Shadow Minister for Urban Services, for Transport Services, for Housing, for Heritage, and for Youth. From 2012,[5] Coe's responsibilities included Shadow Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, for Planning & Infrastructure, for Transport, and for Heritage.
At the 2012 election, Coe was returned with a quota of 0.9.
When Zed Seselja, then Leader of the Opposition, mounted a bid to win preselection for the Senate for the 2013 Australian federal election, Coe was elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberals.
In the wake of a fifth consecutive Liberal defeat in the 2016 election, former leader Jeremy Hanson resigned, and Coe was elected as his replacement with Nicole Lawder as his deputy.[6]
During the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, Coe was the only federal, state or territory party leader to oppose same-sex marriage.[7]
Coe led the Canberra Liberals to the 2020 election. His party faced an uphill battle as soon as the campaign began, with the Greens declaring they would not support a Liberal coalition government. This almost certainly meant that the Liberals had to win a majority in order to govern, something only ever done once in ACT history.[8]
Ultimately, the Liberals were defeated at the election, losing 2 seats. Coe conceded on election night, when it became apparent that a Labor-Greens coalition would return to power.[9] On 27 October 2020, Coe was replaced by Elizabeth Lee as Leader of the Canberra Liberals and Leader of the Opposition.[10] On 24 January 2021 Coe announced his forthcoming resignation from the Legislative Assembly, which became effective on 12 March 2021.[11] [12] [13] [14]
Alistair Coe and Yasmin were married on 9 March 2013, at St Paul's Church, Manuka. He identifies as member of the Anglican Church and is anti-abortion.[15]
He was the Deputy Chairman of the International Young Democrat Union in 2011.