| − | '''Anthony John "Tony" Abbott''' (b. 4 November 1957) is a conservative [[Australian]] politician, who is the current [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]] and parliamentary leader of the center-right [[Liberal Party of Australia]]<ref>[http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/new-liberal-leader-tony-abbott-to-focus-on-battlers-economy/story-e6frg15u-1225805944477]</ref>. He has held a seat in parliament for the state of [[New South Wales]] since 1994. He rose to prominence under the government of [[John Howard]], working as Minister for Health and Ageing from 2003-2007, where he was a vocal critic of [[abortion]], describing the practice as 'a national tragedy' <ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/16/1079199229752.html]</ref>. In terms of public perception, Abbott is generally seen as a devout Catholic, and the media has given him the nickname 'Mad Monk', as he once wanted to become a priest. | + | '''Anthony John "Tony" Abbott''' (b. 4 November 1957) is a conservative [[Australian]] politician, who is the current [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]] and parliamentary leader of the center-right [[Liberal Party of Australia]]<ref>[http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/new-liberal-leader-tony-abbott-to-focus-on-battlers-economy/story-e6frg15u-1225805944477]</ref>. He has held a seat in parliament for the state of [[New South Wales]] since 1994. He rose to prominence under the government of [[John Howard]], working as Minister for Health and Ageing from 2003-2007, where he was a vocal critic of [[abortion]], describing the practice as "a national tragedy."<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/16/1079199229752.html]</ref> In terms of public perception, Abbott is generally seen as a devout [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]], and the media has given him the nickname "Mad Monk," as he once wanted to become a priest. |