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Andrew Nikolic

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Andrew Nikolic
AM, CSC
Nikolic in June 2009
Government Whip in the House of Representatives
In office
13 February 2015 – 20 September 2015
Prime MinisterTony Abbott
Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded byScott Buchholz
Succeeded byBrett Whiteley
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Bass
In office
7 September 2013 – 2 July 2016
Preceded byGeoff Lyons
Succeeded byRoss Hart
Personal details
Born (1961-06-20) 20 June 1961 (age 63)
Prokuplje, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia
SpouseChristine Nikolic
Children3
Alma materOfficer Cadet School, Portsea
University of Adelaide
Southern Cross University
University of New South Wales
Deakin University
United States Army War College
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army
Years of service1979–2008
RankBrigadier
CommandsAustralian National Commander, Southern Iraq
Parachute Training School
Army Recruit Training Centre
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
AwardsMember of the Order of Australia
Conspicuous Service Cross

Andrew Alexander Nikolic AM, CSC (born 20 June 1961) is a former Australian politician, retired senior Australian Army officer, and a former public servant in the Department of Defence.[1][2] He was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal Party representative for the Tasmanian seat of Bass at the 2013 federal election, but after one term, he lost his seat at the 2016 federal election.[3][4]

Early years

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Andrija Nikolić (Serbian Cyrillic: Андрија Николић) was born in Serbia, at the time part of Yugoslavia, on 20 June 1961, and migrated to Australia with his family as a four-year-old. He was raised in Melbourne and Adelaide.[3][5][6]

Military career

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Nikolic enlisted in the Australian Army in January 1979, and after completing recruit training, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Following 18 months' service as an infantry soldier, he attended the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, and returned to the infantry corps as a second lieutenant in June 1981. He subsequently served in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute) for almost seven years as a Platoon Commander, Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, Company Commander (Alpha Company), and as the battalion operations officer.[3]

As a captain, Nikolic studied history and politics at the University of Adelaide, where he served as adjutant of the Adelaide University Regiment from 1986 to 1988.[3] After graduation, he taught tactics at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. As a lieutenant colonel, he served as the commanding officer and chief instructor of the Parachute Training School. He is a qualified static-line and free-fall parachute instructor, and in 2000–2001, he led the Army "Red Berets" Parachute Display Team.[5] As a colonel, in 2003, Nikolic became the first commandant appointed to lead the Army Recruit Training Centre to have also graduated as a soldier.

In 2007, he was promoted to brigadier and appointed director general of public affairs, the principal spokesperson for the Department of Defence.[7]

Nikolic's overseas postings include service as:

  • a United Nations Military Observer in Israel, Syria and South Lebanon (November 1990 – November 1991);
  • Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Australian National Headquarters during the first deployment of Operation Slipper to Afghanistan (October 2001 – March 2002); and
  • the National Command Representative for Australian Forces in Southern Iraq (February – October 2005).

In addition to his Australian command responsibilities in Southern Iraq, he concurrently served as Chief of Staff of the British-led Multinational Division (South East).[citation needed]

Nikolic holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from the University of Adelaide, a Bachelor of Social Science in Human Resources Development from Southern Cross University, a Master of Management Studies from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Deakin University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Joint Services Staff College, Philippines Joint College, the United Nations Senior Leaders' Course, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.[5][8]

Civilian career in Department of Defence

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From 2008 until 2011, Nikolic was employed in the Department of Defence as First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Division (a civilian Major General equivalent position), with responsibility for providing strategic level policy advice to government on Australia's international defence relations and Australian Defence Force operations.[1]

Political career

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Nikolic's pre-selection as the Liberal Party candidate for the 2013 federal election for the seat of Bass in Tasmania - which had been held by the Labor Party since 2007 - was announced on 8 July 2011.[4] He had expressed interest in contesting the seat of Bass after the leadup to the 2010 election when he was stationed in Canberra.[9] Although an election was not required until 30 November 2013, Nikolic began campaigning actively soon after pre-selection. He set up a website for his candidacy, and his campaigning activities in the Launceston area were reported in the media,[4][10] along with his confrontations with local environmentalists.[11]

Following a satirical posting about him on Facebook in May 2012, it was reported that Nikolic had threatened to contact the employers of readers who "liked" the post. Nikolic denied making these threats, and later stated that he had no intention of contacting any employer; that his request was just for the posting to be removed.[12][13][14] The story was published by international media.[15][16] In July 2013, the story was subsequently the subject of a ruling by the Australian Press Council.[17] In July 2013, in response to a complaint filed by Nikolic, the Australian Press Council found that The Sydney Morning Herald "failed to take reasonable steps to ensure accuracy and fairness" on some matters in its article on the subject.[18]

In mid-August 2013, the then sitting member for Bass, Geoff Lyons, made false statements to high-school students about Nikolic's military career, claiming Nikolic had "misled" journalists about his role in the military. Lyons subsequently said he was "sincerely sorry" for his remarks about his opponent.[19] Nikolic was elected in September 2013 with a swing of almost 11 percent.[20]

On 13 February 2015, Nikolic was appointed Government Whip by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, following the dismissal of Philip Ruddock as Chief Government Whip.[21] Nikolic was dropped as Government Whip on 20 September 2015 as a result of a ministerial reshuffle by the new prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who had been elected during a leadership spill earlier that month.[22][23]


On 2 July 2016, Nikolic lost his seat to Ross Hart of the Australian Labor Party, after a 10.1% swing against him in the two party preferred vote.[24]

Family

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Nikolic married Launceston-born Christine Symons in 1986. They have three children - two girls, and a boy. After being Canberra-based for many years, they moved to Launceston in 2011.[5][8][9][10]

Publications

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  • "Iran and the United States : Interests, Options, Consequences". USAWC Strategy Research Project. US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2013.
  • "Let's not devalue our troops' role". The Examiner: 25. 13 November 2011.
  • "Three views on how to make the North prosper". The Examiner. 19 November 2012.
  • "HADR: in search of low-cost innovative solutions". Launceston, Tasmania: aspistrategist.org.au. 8 May 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Honours and awards

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Ribbon Award Date and reference
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 26 January 2010[2]
Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) 26 January 2002[25]
Australian Active Service Medal [4]
Afghanistan Medal [4]
Iraq Medal [4]
Australian Service Medal with two clasps 'South East Asia' and 'Middle East'[citation needed]
Defence Force Service Medal with 2 Rosettes for 25–29 years of service[4]
Australian Defence Medal [4]
United Nations Medal for service with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)[4]
Iraq Medal (United Kingdom)[citation needed]
Commendation for bravery 1987 (from the South Australian Commissioner of Police)[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "International Policy Division". www.defence.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 August 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Brigadier Andrew Alexander Nikolic". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2021. For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of operations and international policy.
  3. ^ a b c d "Shemagh: Lieutenant Colonel A A Nikolic, Australian Army". Australian War Memorial. c. 2003. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012. This shemagh was used by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Nikolic in 2001–2002 as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Australian Headquarters in the Middle East, based in the United Arab Emirates. The text continues with a biography of Nikolic.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Andrew Nikolic: Your federal Liberal candidate for Bass". Liberal Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Andrew Nikolic: Impressions of a fortunate life" (PDF). Oral Histories of Launceston and Northern Tasmania. Launceston: Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ Darby, Andrew (14 May 2012). "Digital life, political strife". National Times, WAtoday. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  7. ^ Nikolic, Brigadier Andrew (Director General Public Affairs) (11 October 2007). "Public release of information by the ADF". Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication 368/07 (Press release). Canberra: Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  8. ^ a b "About Andrew". Liberal Party of Australia. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Bass seat interest by Nikolic". The Examiner. Tasmania. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  10. ^ a b Maloney, Matt (12 February 2012). "Battle for Bass erupts in war of words". The Examiner. Tasmania. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Forest clashes in Launceston". ABC News. Australia. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  12. ^ Manning, James (9 May 2012). "Liberal candidate threatens Facebook users over satirical article". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  13. ^ Manning, James (9 May 2012). "Liberal candidate threatens Facebook users over satirical article". The Age. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  14. ^ Manning, James (9 May 2012). "Liberal candidate threatens Facebook users over satirical article". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  15. ^ Chirgwin, Richard (8 May 2012). "Oz candidate menaces Facebook users". The Register. UK. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  16. ^ Tesoro, Gabriella (11 May 2012). "Quando la satira online colpisce i permalosi". PuntoInformatico (in Italian). Rome. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  17. ^ Clark, Nick (9 May 2012). "Lib candidate in Facebook spat". The Mercury. Hobart. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  18. ^ "Adjudication No. 1564: Andrew Nikolic / The Sydney Morning Herald (July 2013)". Australia: Australian Press Council. 3 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  19. ^ Lewis, Steve (14 August 2013). "Labor MP Geoff Lyons insults former soldier turned star Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic". News Limited. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  20. ^ "Tas Division – Bass". Election 2013 – Virtual Tally Room. Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  21. ^ Kenny, Chris (13 February 2015). "Coalition elder statesman Philip Ruddock axed as Chief Whip following Liberal Party spill attempt". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Andrew Nikolic – Government whip role". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  23. ^ "Mr Andrew Nikolic MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Bass - Australia Votes | Federal Election 2016 (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  25. ^ "Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) entry for Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Alexander Nikolic". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 2002. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
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Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Bass
2013–2016 		Succeeded by
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