Petro Georgiou AO, often described as the conscience of the Liberal Party during the Howard government’s increasingly hardline stance on refugees, passed away peacefully last night at the age of 77.
Georgiou was a leading voice among dissident MPs opposing Prime Minister John Howard’s tough asylum seeker policies. He will be remembered as one of the architects of multiculturalism in Australia, helping to cement it as a bipartisan pillar of national policy.
A senior adviser to Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser from 1975 to 1979, Georgiou later served as Secretary of the Ethnic Television Review Panel (1979–80) and Director of the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs (1980–85). He was instrumental in shaping enduring multicultural policies and played a key role in the establishment of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). As a longstanding friend of Neos Kosmos, Georgiou’s legacy in this field is profound.
His family shared their grief in a public statement:
“We are devastated to advise of the passing of Petro Georgiou AO who died peacefully on Thursday evening.”
“Petro was an inspirational figure in our lives, and a giant across the Australian community.” Petro Georgiou’s family
Petro inspired the introduction of multicultural policies under the then Fraser Government, before leaving to establish SBS and the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs, where he drove significant reforms across the country.”
Born in Kerkyra (Corfu), in the Ionian Sea, Georgiou arrived in Australia with his parents in 1951, the eldest of four children. The family settled in Melbourne, where, as his family noted:
“Petro embraced the opportunities that Australia presented, graduating from Melbourne High School and Melbourne University with honours.” Petro Georgiou’s family
He commenced a distinguished career as an academic before becoming Senior Adviser to then Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.”
Known for his unwavering commitment to liberal values, Georgiou was never one to compromise his principles for political advancement. In Aristotelian terms, he embodied someone who sought the ‘intrinsic good’ in all he did.
“Petro entered Federal Parliament in 1994 as the Member for Kooyong, where he championed liberalism, integrity in government, civil liberties, and the interests of Indigenous Australians and refugees until his retirement in 2010,” his family said.
In 2006, he crossed the floor—at the cost of a potential cabinet position—to oppose Howard’s Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill, which aimed to process all asylum seekers offshore. His courage marked a defining moment in Australian politics.
The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, sent a statement to Neos Kosmos emphasising that Georgiou “was a proud Australian of Greek ancestry, a man of principle, and a person whose astute policy mind was respected across the Parliament”.
“Petro served his constituents of Kooyong with the utmost dedication for more than 15 years.
“Under the Howard Government, Petro was a hard-working Liberal backbencher committed to his constituents and the Liberal Party.
“Petro was also someone who uttered his beliefs with conviction, even when his views didn’t align with his party’s positions or policies,” Dutton said.
“Petro Georgiou was a champion for migrant rights and multiculturalism during his political career and beyond – especially in his role as Director of the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs for five years,” the Opposition Leader said.
“Petro was also someone who uttered his beliefs with conviction, even when his views didn’t align with his party’s positions or policies,” Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton.
“Petro’s own success story speaks to Australia’s broader migration success story. He will be dearly missed by his wide circle of friends and so many communities that benefited from his advocacy, goodwill and support.
“On behalf of the Federal Coalition, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Petro’s partner, Roxanne, as well as Dino and Alexia, his beloved children.
May Petro Georgiou rest in peace,” Dutton said.
Former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu expressed his sorrow on X, posting:
“From Corfu to Kooyong. The quintessential Australian story. Our friend. Our fire. And a fearless fighter for all those seeking a fair go.
“He changed the face of Australian politics and the lives of so many families embracing opportunity.” Former Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu
John Pesutto, former Leader of the Victorian Opposition and a close friend, also took to X, stating:
“Throughout his career, Petro demonstrated enormous courage in the face of adversity, remaining resolute in his dedication to public service and using his voice and intellect to improve the lives of all people, especially those less fortunate.”
“Petro was a man of enormous integrity – principled and unwavering in his convictions, putting them at every stage before political advancement, earning him the esteem and respect of so many.” John Pesutto, former Leader of the Victorian Opposition
Michael Kapel, Georgiou’s former Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff to Ted Baillieu, told Neos Kosmos:
“Petro was a mentor and the best of friends.
He embodied all that was dignified and principled in Australian politics. He was a fearless leader who changed the face of this nation and fought for humanity and decency for all Australians.”
“He was a fearless leader who changed the face of this nation and fought for humanity and decency for all Australians.” Michael Kapel, Georgiou’s former Chief of Staff
Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM, CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), also shared his reflections with Neos Kosmos:
“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Petro Georgiou,” he said, extending condolences to Georgiou’s family on behalf of the ASRC.
“A giant of a man who stood for human rights with integrity and principles and was willing to risk his political career for it.”
Karapanagiotidis also recalled Georgiou’s 2005 private member’s bill, which sought the release of all children from immigration detention:
“He also fought to try and end indefinite detention of people seeking asylum. The following year he led a small group of Liberal MPs to cross the floor and vote against the establishment of the offshore processing and detention of refugees,” he said.
Regarded as a “friend of refugees,” Karapanagiotidis said Georgiou:
“Cared deeply about creating a more compassionate, kinder and fairer Australia for those seeking safety on our shores.”
He also noted Georgiou’s fearlessness, “Once called a ‘political terrorist’ by Sophie Mirabella (née Panopoulos) from the right of the Liberal Party for standing up for the rights of refugees… Petro Georgiou would not be cowered no matter the extraordinary pressure he faced to be silent and fall into line.
He will always have a place in the hearts of people who stand for justice and humanity. It was his courage that forced the Howard Government to release all children from detention.”
Throughout his life, Georgiou remained steadfast in his commitment to diversity and was an unrelenting opponent of racism and xenophobia. He was also proud of his Greek heritage and his deep ties to the Greek Australian community.
Following his time advising Fraser, he went on to serve as senior adviser to Andrew Peacock, State Director of the Victorian Liberal Party, and Chief of Staff to John Hewson.
“Petro reached every corner of the nation and was loved by communities across Australia. For many, he was their champion and inspiration, as he was for his family,” his family wrote.
Dr Hass Dellal Chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation and former SBS Chair, told Neos Kosmos that “Petro was a friend and rare leader – he stood for true liberalism and genuine humanity.”
“Petro was a friend and rare leader – he stood for true liberalism and genuine humanity.” Dr Dr. Hass Dellal, Chair of Australian Multicultural Foundation
“He can forever be known as one of the architects of multiculturalism.
“He never backed away from helping refugees and asylum seekers even at the cost of his political future,” Dellal said.
“He knew what it was to be a migrant and what it was to seek a new life in a new land, and that is why he never sought to close the door behind him for those coming in hoping for a better life.”
Georgiou is survived by his partner Roxanne; his children, Dino and Alexia, and their spouses, Martha and Davide; his grandchildren, Alexander, Zoe, and Gabriele; his sisters, Athina and Joanne, and their families; as well as the family of his late brother, Matthew.
Condolences have been pouring into Neos Kosmos from across the political landscape and community sectors, with many emphasising his enduring legacy and commitment to refugees and asylum seekers.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Vale Petro Georgiou.
