Anthony Austin “Tony” Street (8 February 1926 – 25 October 2022) was an Australian politician who represented the federal electorate of Corangamite in Victoria for nearly two decades. A member of the Liberal Party, he is best known for serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Fourth Fraser Ministry from 1980 to 1983. His parliamentary career and cabinet service placed him among the more prominent national figures of his era.
Early life and family
Street was born in Melbourne into a family with a notable record of public service. His father, Geoffrey Street, was also active in politics, and the family maintained links with public and civic life in Victoria. Street’s upbringing and personal background informed his later public career and shaped his engagement with regional and national issues.
Parliamentary career and ministerial service
Tony Street was elected to the House of Representatives for the Division of Corangamite in 1966 and held the seat until 1984. During that period he served in the ministry of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, culminating in his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs (1980–1983). In that role he managed Australia’s diplomatic relations at a time marked by Cold War tensions and shifting regional dynamics in the Asia‑Pacific.
Roles and responsibilities
- Member of Parliament for Corangamite (1966–1984).
- Cabinet minister in the Fraser government, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1980–1983.
- Represented Australian positions in international fora and oversaw diplomatic relations during the late Cold War period.
Significance and later life
Street’s tenure combined regional representation with national and international responsibilities, reflecting a career that bridged local constituency work and high‑level diplomacy. After leaving Parliament in 1984 he remained a figure of record in discussions of the Fraser government and Australian foreign policy of that era. He died in October 2022, leaving a legacy tied both to his electorate of Corangamite and to the broader history of the Liberal Party in the late 20th century.
Further reading and resources
- Parliamentary biography and service record: official profile.
- Overview of the Fraser government and cabinet membership: Fraser ministry summary.
- Context on Australia’s foreign policy, 1980–1983: policy context.
- History of the Corangamite electorate: electorate history.
- Biographical notes on the Street family: family background.
- Contemporary news accounts and obituaries: media coverage.
- Catalogued speeches and parliamentary contributions: speeches and record.