The Hon Christopher Pyne has today been elected Chair of Vision 2020 Australia, the national organisation committed to preventing avoidable blindness and improving outcomes for people who are living with vision loss.
Christopher brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and networks to this role.
During his 26-year parliamentary career he led reforms across the Ageing, Education, Industry Innovation and Science, Defence Industry and Defence portfolios.
Since his retirement from politics, he has combined roles as Chairman of Pyne and Partners and a Professor in the UniSA Business School with other appointments, including directorship of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships as well as its Foundation.
Christopher also has a personal connection to the eye health and vision sector – his father Dr Remington Pyne was an eye specialist who was instrumental in creating the first National Trachoma and Eye Health Programme and he has witnessed firsthand how restoring sight can change lives.
Before entering politics, Christopher practiced as a solicitor, and he is also a media commentator and a published author – with his most recent book, The Insider, released in June this year.
He succeeds his former Parliamentary colleague The Hon Amanda Vanstone AO, whose six-year tenure as Chair recently concluded.
Quotes attributable to Vision 2020 Chair The Hon Christopher Pyne:
“It is an honour to be joining the Board of an organisation of such importance to the health and wellbeing of Australians.
“I thank Amanda Vanstone for her significant contributions during her six years as chair and look forward to building on these.
“My father was an eye specialist so I have seen firsthand just how important the protection and restoration of sight can be – especially to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
“Fixing people’s vision and giving them the capacity to see the world around them is one of the great things a person can do to help others and I’m pleased to have this opportunity to contribute to this significant work.”
Quotes attributable to Vision 2020 Australia CEO Judith Abbott:
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a Chair the calibre of Christopher Pyne leading our Board.
“His expertise, energy and enthusiasm will help ensure that more Australians have the best vision possible.
“With the number of Australians living with vision loss forecast to almost double within 10 years, there has never been a more important time to have eminent Australians like Christopher supporting improvements to eye care.
“On behalf of the sector, I also want to thank Amanda Vanstone for the significant contributions she made to the organisation over her six years as Chair.
“She steered the Board with a consistent combination of laser-like focus and good humour and brought a wealth of knowledge, networks and intellect to the role.”
ENDS
Media contact: Ben Jessup 0410 632 123 or bjessup@vision2020australia.org.au