Anthony John "Tony" Abbott (born 4 November 1957), Australian politician, is the current Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the Australian federal opposition. From 2004-2007 he was Minister for Health and Ageing in the Howard government, and Leader of the House of Representatives in the Federal Parliament. Since 1994, he has been the Member for Warringah, in New South Wales in the House of Representatives for the Liberal Party.

Tony Abbott was born in London, England to Australian parents. In 1960, his family returned to Australia, living first in the Sydney suburbs of Bronte then moving to Chatswood. Abbott was schooled at St Aloysius' College before completing his secondary school education at St Ignatius' College, Riverview in Sydney. He graduated from the University of Sydney, residing at St John's College, with a Bachelor of Economics (BEc) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). At university he was active in student politics, gaining media attention for his political stance opposing the then dominant left-wing student leadership. He was also a prominent student boxer. He then went on to attend the Queen's College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with a Master of Arts (MA). Said to be a devout Catholic, he then considered the Catholic priesthood, and entered St Patrick's Seminary, Manly, but subsequently decided to leave and chose another career path, citing an inability "to keep his hands off attractive Catholic females" while at college.

Despite his right-wing leanings, Abbott has acknowledged he voted Labor in the 1988 NSW State Election as he thought "Barrie Unsworth was the best deal Premier that New South Wales had ever had."