Michael Ehrenfried Baume (born 6 July 1930) is a former Australian politician. A member of the Liberal Party, he served in the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1983 and as a Senator for New South Wales from 1985 to 1996. He was a parliamentary secretary in the Fraser government and was later a shadow minister. He was a business journalist and stockbroker before entering politics and later served as the Australian consul-general in New York City from 1996 to 2001.
Baume spent his early years in Dubbo, New South Wales, where his father was the editor of a weekly newspaper. The family later returned to Sydney and settled in Lindfield. Baume received his early education at Lindfield Public School and North Sydney Boys High School. He went on to graduate Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney in 1951.
In 1968, Baume began working as a research manager for Patrick Partners, Sydney's largest stockbroking firm. He became a staff partner the following year. The firm collapsed in July 1975, a few months before his election to parliament. He was also a director of meat exporter Tancred Brothers and Rothbury Estate, a winery in the Hunter Valley.
Baume served as parliamentary secretary to federal treasurer John Howard from 1982 to 1983. After his defeat he continued working for Howard as a senior adviser and was also elected to the New South Wales state executive of the Liberal Party.
On his return to Australia, Baume was appointed a member of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal for two years and was a foundation member of the Board of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He was for many years a member of the Council of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and for a decade was a regular columnist in The Australian Financial Review before moving to The Spectator Australia where his column appears monthly. He was for several years Special Counsel to former Sydney public relations and government relations firm, Wells Haslem Strategic Public Affairs Pty Ltd.
Early career
Politics
House of Representatives
Senate
Later life
See also
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