Even though Brian Loughnane never sat in the House of Representatives or the Senate, he's had a marked influence on Australian politics in the past 20 years. Loughnane, who was federal director of the Liberal party from 2003 to 2016, has been recognised in the Australia Day honours as an officer of the Order of Australia.
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He's had the ear of the most powerful people in Australian politics and it's these names that come up when he remembers the most memorable parts of his career.
"I was very privileged to work closely with John Howard, Peter Costello, Brendan Nelson, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull - from all of whom I learnt a lot," he said on the eve of receiving the honour.
He lists the 2004 and 2013 elections, which were won by the Liberal party, as highlights of his career, but it's not just the victories that stand out.
"The period after 2007 when the Coalition lost, which was a very difficult time. The team collectively worked well together and rebounded quickly," Mr Loughnane said.
From country Victoria, the backroom operator began his political career 25 years ago as an advisor to the Victorian minister for small business Vin Heffernan, moving to federal politics in 1994 to work for then Liberal leader Alexander Downer. He was chief of staff to John Moore when he was industry minister and defence minister, before moving into party campaigning roles in the party and onto the role as federal director.
His time at the helm of the Liberal party wasn't without controversy - in 2015 federal party treasurer Philip Higginson wrote letters to the party's federal executive accusing Loughnane of having a conflict of interest while his wife Peta Credlin served as chief of staff to then prime minister Tony Abbott.
While the party has been plagued by leadership tension in the parliamentary wing for years, the organisational wing also hasn't been smooth sailing. The NSW branch of the party has been warring over preselection plebiscites, while the former director of the Victorian branch of the party was jailed for defrauding the party if $1.55 million.
It's not unusual for those who roam the halls of power and steer the major political parties to be recognised under Australia's honours system. Liberal strategist Lynton Crosby was recognised with an AO for services to politics in 2005, former Labor MP Gary Gray also received an AO in 2003 (before he was elected) for services to the Australian Labor Party and to politics. Former minister Andrew Robb was also recognised for his work as director of the Liberal party with an AO in 2003.
While many Australians might have few good words to say about how politicians and their industry contribute to the nation, Loughnane believes the role of political parties is valuable to society.
"The stability and vibrancy of Australian democracy depends on a number of institutions, including the public service, but also political parties which have a critical and much underestimated role in politics" he said.
