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After the landslide election in 1996 Downer became foreign minister, a position he for a record of 11 and a half years. One of the key features of his time was the re-strengthening of ties with the [[United States of America]] which had been neglected by the [[Bob Hawke|Hawke]] and [[Paul Keating|Keating]] Governments which had primarily focused on Asia. Downer is credited with being a master of foreign affairs as he was able to ally Australia closely with the US, as well as getting Australia a seat at Association of Southeast Asian Nations - something Australia has not had since the organization was formed in 1967 - to the surprise of most critics who said that focusing on the US would come at the expense of regional relations. Downer was a strong support of both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

After the landslide election in 1996 Downer became foreign minister, a position he for a record of 11 and a half years. One of the key features of his time was the re-strengthening of ties with the [[United States of America]] which had been neglected by the [[Bob Hawke|Hawke]] and [[Paul Keating|Keating]] Governments which had primarily focused on Asia. Downer is credited with being a master of foreign affairs as he was able to ally Australia closely with the US, as well as getting Australia a seat at Association of Southeast Asian Nations - something Australia has not had since the organization was formed in 1967 - to the surprise of most critics who said that focusing on the US would come at the expense of regional relations. Downer was a strong support of both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

On July the 3rd 2008, following the defeat at the November 2008 election, Downer announced his retirement from politics and said he would give his resignation as the Member for Mayo to the Governor-General on the 14th of July<ref>http://www.alexanderdowner.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=2366</ref>. Following his retirement he was made Visiting Professor of International Politics at the University of Adelaide's School of History & Politics<ref>http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/28301/news28381.html</ref> by the Vice Chancellor Professor James McWha. The position entitles him to call himself Professor Downer.

On July the 3rd 2008, following the defeat at the November 2007 election, Downer announced his retirement from politics and said he would give his resignation as the Member for Mayo to the Governor-General on the 14th of July<ref>http://www.alexanderdowner.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=2366</ref>. Following his retirement he was made Visiting Professor of International Politics at the University of Adelaide's School of History & Politics<ref>http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/28301/news28381.html</ref> by the Vice Chancellor Professor James McWha. The position entitles him to call himself Professor Downer.

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