Christine Nixon
Encyclopedia
Christine Nixon APM
(born 11 June 1953) was the Chief Commissioner
of Victoria Police
between 23 April 2001 and 27 February 2009. After leaving Victoria Police, she was appointed chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in February 2009 until she stood down from the position in July 2010.
before attaining a Master of Public Administration
from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government
.
She was appointed Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in April 2001.
Having initially set a retirement date of late March 2009, Nixon departed earlier at the request of the Victorian Government to take on responsibility for the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
She was succeeded as Chief Commissioner by Simon Overland
.
As Chief Commissioner, Nixon marched in uniform during Melbourne's gay and lesbian 'Pride March', run as part of the Midsumma Festival. Nixon is heterosexual but marched to express her support for gay and lesbian causes, stating "What I'm doing is supporting decent and reasonable people who want to get on with their lives, and they have been treated appallingly previously by the Police, and I'm prepared to do something about it. And if it's a small symbol of marching with them, then that would be a reasonable thing to do."
senior executive of crew operations, on the inaugural international flight of Qantas' Airbus A380
airliner from Melbourne to Los Angeles, as guests of Qantas in an all expenses paid, three day trip. Ms Nixon called the trip "reasonable" and commented that she was accompanying her husband, and that she had not had a holiday in about 12 months. Mr Becquet defended the trip saying they were invited to LA after a chance meeting with a Qantas executive. "I am normally her handbag but on this she's my handbag." The couple celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary during this week. The head of the Office of Police Integrity, Michael Strong, sought information on the matter from Ms Nixon at a time of calls for her to reimburse the airline for the cost of the trip.
concerning her actions as Chief Commissioner during the Black Saturday bushfires on 7 February 2009. Counsel assisting the Commission, Rachel Doyle SC, questioned Nixon on issues such as a morning hairdressing appointment, a lunchtime meeting with her biographer and an evening dinner at a restaurant, all during the worst day of the bushfires. Nixon defended her actions, stating "It was not my job to swoop in and take control. When you have good people who are more skilled in emergency management than I am you let those people do the job."
from 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2010. She also serves as Patron or Advisor to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Onside Victoria, Operation Newstart Victoria and The Phoenix Club Inc.
, the National Medal
, the Centenary Medal
, the New South Wales Police Medal and clasps for Ethical and Diligent Service and the New South Wales Police Force Olympic Citation.
On 18 July 2010 Nixon was taken to hospital. She subsequently underwent gall bladder surgery.
. The book was criticised by the Police Association Victoria
for what the Association claims is a biased recall of events. and by the Herald Sun
.
Australian Police Medal
The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.The APM was introduced in 1986, and replaced the Imperial Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service....
(born 11 June 1953) was the Chief Commissioner
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
of Victoria Police
Victoria Police
Victoria Police is the primary law enforcement agency of Victoria, Australia. , the Victoria Police has over 12,190 sworn members, along with over 400 recruits, reservists and Protective Service Officers, and over 2,900 civilian staff across 393 police stations.-Early history:The Victoria Police...
between 23 April 2001 and 27 February 2009. After leaving Victoria Police, she was appointed chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in February 2009 until she stood down from the position in July 2010.
Education
Nixon attended Macquarie UniversityMacquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
before attaining a Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
.
Police career
The daughter of a police officer, Nixon began her policing career with the New South Wales Police Force in 1972, rising to the rank of Assistant Commissioner.She was appointed Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in April 2001.
Having initially set a retirement date of late March 2009, Nixon departed earlier at the request of the Victorian Government to take on responsibility for the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
She was succeeded as Chief Commissioner by Simon Overland
Simon Overland
Simon Overland APM is the former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in Australia. He previously worked with the Australian Federal Police, and then with Victoria Police, focusing on Melbourne's gangland wars. On 2 March 2009 he was named by Premier John Brumby as Victoria Police Chief...
.
Pride March
Criticism
Nixon was criticised when she joined her husband, John Becquet, a former QantasQantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
senior executive of crew operations, on the inaugural international flight of Qantas' Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
airliner from Melbourne to Los Angeles, as guests of Qantas in an all expenses paid, three day trip. Ms Nixon called the trip "reasonable" and commented that she was accompanying her husband, and that she had not had a holiday in about 12 months. Mr Becquet defended the trip saying they were invited to LA after a chance meeting with a Qantas executive. "I am normally her handbag but on this she's my handbag." The couple celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary during this week. The head of the Office of Police Integrity, Michael Strong, sought information on the matter from Ms Nixon at a time of calls for her to reimburse the airline for the cost of the trip.
Royal Commission
Nixon was called to appear before the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission is an Australian Royal Commission which concluded on 31 July 2010, it investigated the nature of circumstances surrounding the Black Saturday bushfires.-Precluding events:...
concerning her actions as Chief Commissioner during the Black Saturday bushfires on 7 February 2009. Counsel assisting the Commission, Rachel Doyle SC, questioned Nixon on issues such as a morning hairdressing appointment, a lunchtime meeting with her biographer and an evening dinner at a restaurant, all during the worst day of the bushfires. Nixon defended her actions, stating "It was not my job to swoop in and take control. When you have good people who are more skilled in emergency management than I am you let those people do the job."
Bushfire authority
In February 2009 Nixon assumed responsibility for the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, the agency tasked with rebuilding areas affected by the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009. She stood down from the position on 17 July 2010, and announced she would take on a voluntary advisory role with the authority.Other positions
Nixon was a non-executive director of Foster's GroupFoster's Group
Foster's Group is a beer group with interests in brewing and soft drinks. Foster's Group is the brewer of the Foster's Lager. Foster's Group Limited is a publicly-listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange and is based in Melbourne, Victoria...
from 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2010. She also serves as Patron or Advisor to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Onside Victoria, Operation Newstart Victoria and The Phoenix Club Inc.
Awards
Nixon has been awarded the Australian Police MedalAustralian Police Medal
The Australian Police Medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.The APM was introduced in 1986, and replaced the Imperial Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry and Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service....
, the National Medal
National Medal
National Medal can refer to:* National Medal * National Medal of Arts* National Humanities Medal* National Medal of Science* National Medal of Technology and Innovation...
, the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
, the New South Wales Police Medal and clasps for Ethical and Diligent Service and the New South Wales Police Force Olympic Citation.
Health
As a large woman, Nixon's size has received disproportionate emphasis in the media.On 18 July 2010 Nixon was taken to hospital. She subsequently underwent gall bladder surgery.
Memoirs
In 2011 Nixon published her memoirs in the book Fair Cop (ISBN 9780522856859), launched by Prime Minister Julia GillardJulia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
. The book was criticised by the Police Association Victoria
Police Association Victoria
The Police Association Victoria is the union organisation representing about 11,000 members of the Victoria Police. The association is affiliated with the Police Federation of Australia, representing over 50,000 Australian Police Officers.-History:...
for what the Association claims is a biased recall of events. and by the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
.
External links
- About Christine Nixon from the Victoria Police website
- Christine Nixon featured on Australian StoryAustralian StoryAustralian Story is a national weekly documentary series, produced and broadcast on ABC Television.Since 1996 Australian Story has featured many Australians from diverse backgrounds and reputations...
- Christine Nixon interviewed on Radio NationalRadio NationalABC Radio National is an Australia-wide non-commercial radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Radio National broadcasts national programming in areas that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy...
- Trust us, says police chief
- Honorary doctorate for Christine Nixon