Shane Stone

Shane Leslie Stone AC, QC is an Australian political figure. From 26 May 1995 to 8 February 1999 he was Chief Minister of the Northern Territorycite web|year=c 2001|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/lant/pub/Ministries%20-%201974%20to%2026%20August%202001.pdf|title=Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory|format=PDF|accessdate=2006-04-09] , representing the Country Liberal Party.

Stone was born in Wodonga, Victoria. He twice served as Attorney General, and held a number of portfolios, including Education and the Arts, Employment and Training, Mines and Energy, Industries and Development, and Asian Relations and Trade.

Stone was Chief Minister during the referendum for statehood for the Northern Territory in 1998. Electors were asked to vote on whether the Northern Territory should become a state with a constitution that had been approved by a Constitutional Assembly. A bipartisan committee of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly had recommended a constitution and that it should be further considered by an elected Constitutional Assembly. Stone put forward a different constitution to a non-elected Constitutional Assembly. The referendum failed, although opinion polls continue to show that the population of the Northern Territory supports statehood.

In 1999 he became the federal President of the Liberal Party of Australia.

In 2001 he released a memo which was leaked to the press, in which he claimed that the government of John Howard was seen as "mean and tricky" [cite web|last=Curtis|first=Lyndal|year=2001|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/yir2001/politics_lead.htm|title=Coalition returns to form in second half|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2006-04-09] , which caused a stir in Australian politics at the time.

Stone is also the Executive Chairman of the APAC Group of Companies [cite web|year=2000-07-20|url=http://www.corporatefile.com.au/default.asp?mode=reportpf&reportid=289|title=Summary Announcement. Aust Magnesium. New Chairman Advisory Committee|publisher=Corporate File|accessdate=2006-04-09] .

On 12 June, 2006, in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, he was awarded Australia's highest civilian honour, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1132813&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] - Companion of the Order of Australia]

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