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Kelly O'Dwyer

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Kelly O'Dwyer
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Higgins
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 December 2009
Preceded by Peter Costello
Personal details
Born 31 March 1977 (1977-03-31) (age 34)
Box Hill, Victoria
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Jon Mant
Residence South Yarra, Victoria
Alma mater University of Melbourne
Profession Lawyer
Religion Christian
Website kellyodwyer.com.au

Kelly Megan O'Dwyer (born 31 March 1977) is an Australian politician, and member for the Division of Higgins in the Australian House of Representatives. On 5 December 2009, at the 2009 Higgins by-election, O'Dwyer was elected to succeed former Treasurer Peter Costello.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early career

O'Dwyer attended Presbyterian Ladies' College and the University of Melbourne, where she studied Law and Arts.[2] After working as a solicitor for Freehills in Melbourne,[2] O'Dwyer spent four years as an advisor to Peter Costello, then the member for the federal division of Higgins and the Federal Treasurer, later becoming an executive at the National Australia Bank.[3]

[edit] Retirement of Peter Costello

Costello decided in 2009 not to seek another term of office at the next federal election.[4] On 17 September 2009, O'Dwyer was pre-selected to stand as the Liberal Party candidate for Higgins at the next election.[5] Peter Costello then announced his resignation from Parliament in October 2009.[6] He stated that he chose to retire ahead of the next federal election as a contribution to renewal of the Liberal Party and that O'Dwyer would contribute to this process.[7] A by-election was held on 5 December 2009. O'Dwyer was considered a "shoo-in",[8] especially since the Labor Party did not contest the seat.

[edit] Sexism claims

In winning preselection, O'Dwyer became the first woman to win Liberal Party preselection for a safe seat in metropolitan Melbourne.[9] During the preselection process federal Liberal politicians Sophie Mirabella, Fran Bailey and Helen Coonan claimed that there had been a sexist campaign against O'Dwyer's candidacy, with some preselectors being told that a "leadership seat" such as Higgins was unsuited to a woman and that being elected to a federal seat might endanger her marriage.[10][11]

[edit] Personal life

She is married to Jon Mant and has three sisters.[12] She lives in South Yarra.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-14358-215.htm
  2. ^ a b Lawyers Weekly (2009). Former Freehills lawyer wins pre-selection. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  3. ^ Grattan, Michelle (4 July 2009). "Costello to endorse Liberal activist as Higgins candidate". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/costello-to-endorse-liberal-activist-as-higgins-candidate-20090703-d7ut.html. Retrieved 31 October 2009. 
  4. ^ "Peter Costello's retirement draws praise". AAP. 15 June 2009. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25638123-421,00.html. 
  5. ^ Harvey, Michael (17 September 2009). "Kelly O'Dwyer secures preselection for Peter Costello's seat of Higgins". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/kelly-odwyer-secures-preselection-for-peter-costellos-seat-of-higgins/story-e6frf7jo-1225776258587. 
  6. ^ "Malcolm in the muddle". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 October 2009. http://www.smh.com.au/national/malcolm-in-the-muddle-20091009-gqu2.html. 
  7. ^ Rogers, Emma (7 October 2009). "Costello quits politics". ABC News. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/07/2707333.htm. Retrieved 31 October 2009. 
  8. ^ "Anarchy set for Costello's old seat". AAP. 12 November 2009. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26340570-5003402,00.html. 
  9. ^ "Costello staffer wins Higgins preselection". AAP. 17 September 2009. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26090004-5003402,00.html. 
  10. ^ Schubert, Misha (15 September 2009). "Sexism claims in race for Costello's seat". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/sexism-claims-in-race-for-costellos-seat-20090914-fnvb.html. Retrieved 31 October 2009. 
  11. ^ Schubert, Misha (16 September 2009). "Ex-Liberal minister joins sexism outcry". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/exliberal-minister-joins-sexism-outcry-20090915-fpoi.html. Retrieved 31 October 2009. 
  12. ^ Fyfe, Melissa (6 December 2009). "O'Dwyer straight out of Liberal central casting". The Age (Melbourne). http://www.theage.com.au/national/odwyer-straight-out-of-liberal-central-casting-20091205-kc3j.html. 

[edit] External links

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Peter Costello		 Member for Higgins
2009–present		 Incumbent
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelly_O%27Dwyer&oldid=459098787"
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