Archbishop of Brisbane elected Anglican Primate

The Most Rev Phillip Aspinall, Archbishop of Brisbane was today elected Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia by the Board of Electors of the Primate which comprises diocesan bishops, and representative clergy and lay members of the General Synod. He will hold office until the next General Synod to be held in 2007.

Archishop Aspinall was consecrated Bishop in 1998, when he went to serve as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Adelaide. He was elected Archbishop of Brisbane in 2001.

Before going to Adelaide Archbishop Aspinall was Director of Anglicare in the Diocese of Tasmania. He was awarded an MBA from Deakin University and holds a PH.D from Monash University, Faculty of Education.

He is a member of the Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia, and is a past member of the State and Territory Advisory Group for Commonwealth Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. For 2 years
2000-2002 he was the Chair of Anglicare Australia.

He is married to Christa and they have two children.

The Primate of the Anglican Church has a varied portfolio of responsibilities. He retains his role as a diocesan bishop, but at the same time he chairs the meetings of the General Synod of the Church and its attendant Boards and Committees, as well as the annual meeting of bishops.
He represents the Anglican Church of Australia in many forums of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As well, one of the Primate's main tasks nationally is to speak out and to represent the voice of the Anglican Church on major issues for the Australian community, without fear or favour.

A media conference with Archbishop Aspinall will be held at the Chevalier Resource Centre, 1 Roma Avenue Kensington at 3.00pm tomorrow, Sunday 10th July.

Those requesting one-on-one interviews with the Primate should indicate their request prior to the media conference

For interviews:
Contact: Margaret Rodgers (mobile) 0411 692 499

For comment:
Contact Wayne Brighton (mobile) 0407 408 333