Lara Giddings
| The Honourable Lara Giddings MP |
|
|---|---|
| 44th Premier of Tasmania | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 24 January 2011 |
|
| Governor | Peter Underwood |
| Deputy | Bryan Green |
| Preceded by | David Bartlett |
| Deputy Premier of Tasmania | |
| In office 26 May 2008 – 24 January 2011 |
|
| Premier | David Bartlett |
| Preceded by | David Bartlett |
| Succeeded by | Bryan Green |
| Treasurer of Tasmania | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 6 December 2010 |
|
| Premier | David Bartlett |
| Preceded by | Michael Aird |
| Member of the Tasmanian Parliament for Franklin |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 20 July 2002 |
|
| Member of the Tasmanian Parliament for Lyons |
|
| In office 24 February 1996 – 29 August 1998 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 November 1972 Goroka, Papua New Guinea |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
Larissa Tahireh "Lara" Giddings (born 14 November 1972) is an Australian politician and the 44th and current Premier of Tasmania since January 2011. She has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly seat of Franklin since the 2002 election.
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[edit] Parliament and education
She was first elected to parliament in the 1996 election in the electorate of Lyons as the youngest woman elected to an Australian Parliament at the age of 23 years, but was defeated at the 1998 election, and then re-elected in the 2002 election in Franklin. Following the resignation of the Premier, Paul Lennon on 26 May 2008 and the elevation of the Deputy Premier, David Bartlett to the position of Premier, Giddings was elected as Deputy Australian Labor Party Leader and sworn in as Deputy Premier. [1]
Giddings obtained Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Tasmania and went on to work in the Australian Senate as Whip's Clerk, then an electorate officer with Senator Sue Mackay. She travelled to Britain, where she did some temporary administrative work in London, and later worked as a Parliamentary research officer for the Member for Dunfermline East, Helen Eadie, in the Scottish Parliament. Until her return to parliament in 2002, she worked for the Tasmanian Premier as a speech writer and media assistant.
From 2004 to 2006, Giddings was Minister for Economic Development and Minister for the Arts. Following the 2006 election, she was assigned the role of Minister for Health and Human Services. Shortly after the election, the State Government decided to proceed with building a replacement for the Royal Hobart Hospital and the significant task of planning the replacement came under Giddings' portfolio. In April 2007, she came under criticism for the poor conditions in the Emergency Department and blamed the Federal Government for under-funding.
In 2008, Giddings became only the second woman in Tasmanian history to be appointed Deputy Premier.
On 23 January 2011, Bartlett announced that he would step down as Premier of Tasmania, and that "Lara Giddings will be an outstanding Premier and will have my full support". On 24 January, the State Parliamentary Labor Party unanimously elected Giddings as the new leader, and thus the new Premier. She is the first female Premier of Tasmania.[2][3]
[edit] Private life
Giddings is not married and does not have a partner.[4] She has acknowledged that her political career may mean that she never has children.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Neales, Sue; Worley, Mark and Matthews, Craig (2008-05-26). "Bartlett, Giddings new leaders". Hobart Mercury. http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,23757967-921,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-26.[dead link]
- ^ Bartlett confirms resignation on Facebook: ABC 23 January 2011
- ^ Tasmanian premier to resign: SMH 23 January 2011
- ^ Trinca, Helen (29 January 2011). "Singles bar removed but politics remains". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/singles-bar-removed-but-politics-remains/story-e6frgczx-1225995944490. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ Neales, Sue (23 December 2008). "Giddings: Politics over family". Hobart Mercury. http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2008/12/23/46021_tasmania-news.html. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
[edit] External links
- Lara Giddings – Parliamentary library profile
- Lara Giddings official website
- Lara Giddings – Labor party profile
- Lara Giddings' inaugural speech to parliament
| Tasmanian House of Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ian Braid David Llewellyn Bob Mainwaring Christine Milne Graeme Page Michael Polley Denise Swan |
Member for Lyons 1996–1998 Served alongside: Rene Hidding David Llewellyn Michael Polley Denise Swan |
Succeeded by Ken Bacon Rene Hidding David Llewellyn Michael Polley Denise Swan |
| Preceded by Paul Lennon Martin McManus Neville Oliver Matt Smith Paula Wriedt |
Member for Franklin 2002–present Served alongside: Ross Butler (2008–2010) Will Hodgman Daniel Hulme (2009–2010) Paul Lennon (2002–2008) Nick McKim David O'Byrne (2010–present) Jacquie Petrusma (2010–present) |
Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by David Llewellyn |
Attorney-General Minister for Justice 2008–2011 |
Succeeded by David Bartlett |
| Preceded by David Bartlett |
Deputy Premier of Tasmania 2008–2011 |
Succeeded by Bryan Green |
| Preceded by David O'Byrne |
Minister for the Arts 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Michael Aird |
Treasurer of Tasmania 2010–present |
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| Preceded by David Bartlett |
Premier of Tasmania 2011–present |
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| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by David Bartlett |
Leader of the Labor Party in Tasmania 2011–present |
Incumbent |
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