Tony Abbott is an Australian politician who has served in various ministerial roles and as Leader of the Opposition. He was born in England to Australian parents and received degrees from Sydney University and Oxford University. Abbott worked as a journalist before entering politics and being elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 1994. He has held several cabinet positions and was appointed Leader of the Liberal Party in 2009, opposing Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's emissions trading policy. Abbott recently published a book called "Battlelines" that outlines his policy ideas and vision for the Liberal party.