Hon Robert Hill AC served as the Australian Minister for the Environment from 1996 to 2002, Minister for Defence from 2002 to 2006, and was Australia’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations in New York from 2006 to 2009.

He also served as the Senator for South Australia from 1981 to 2006, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 1990 to 1996, and the Leader of the Government in the Senate from 1996 to 2006.

Upon returning to Australia, Robert worked as an Adjunct Professor in Sustainability at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney and chaired the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living at the University of New South Wales. He was appointed Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.

Robert was subsequently chair of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and the Antarctic Science Foundation. He served as a member of the Asia Pacific Board of The Nature Conservancy and is a Governor of WWF Australia. Robert is a member of the Council of ASPI, Chair of the Viva Energy Group and Chair of Re-Group.

In 2012, Robert was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament in the Portfolios of Environment and Defence and to Australia’s international relations.

Robert was educated at the University of Adelaide and the University of London in Arts and Law. He also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Adelaide and the University of Queensland. Robert practised law in South Australia as a barrister and solicitor.