Marlene Kairouz
Marlene Kairouz | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Kororoit | |
| Assumed office 28 June 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Andre Haermeyer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 March 1975 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Education | RMIT University |
| Occupation | Histologist |
Marlene Kairouz (born 2 March 1975) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2008, and Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation since 2016.
Kairouz was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Victoria. Her parents are Maronite Christians from Lebanon.
Kairouz was educated at St Mary's Primary School in Thornbury from 1980 to 1986 and Santa Maria Girls College, Northcote from 1987 to 1992. She holds a Diploma of Health, Medical Laboratory Science from RMIT and worked as a histologist prior to working at the Australian Workers' Union and becoming active in politics.
Kairouz was first elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2008 Kororoit by-election, triggered by the resignation of former minister Andre Haermeyer.
Prior to entering state politics she was elected to the City of Darebin in 1998, serving as mayor from 2001 to 2002 and again from 2006 to 2007. Marlene was an official with the Victorian branch of the Shop Assistants' Union from 2004 and was promoted to become an organiser in 2005 before her election to Parliament. Kairouz has been a state and national Australian Labor Party conference delegate, and previously served as the Junior Vice President of the Victorian ALP.
In Parliament, Kairouz voted against the Assisted Reproduction Bill saying "Bringing a child into the world without ever having the opportunity to meet both its parents shows disregard for its wellbeing, its needs and dignity."[citation needed] Kairouz was also active opposing abortion laws in Victoria, proposed a twenty-week limit on abortions, which was rejected.[citation needed]
She was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to local government in 2001.
In June 2016, she was appointed to the Andrews Ministry as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.
On September 13, 2017, she was appointed as the Minister for Local Government.
Racism controversy
In October 2017 she was embroiled in a controversy regarding her remarks when she advised people not to open their doors to Irish people.[1][2] She issued an apology on Twitter.[3] The incident received widespread media coverage in Australia and Ireland.[4]
References
- ^ "A warning to householders about a pest that thrives as we approach summer; travelling conmen". 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ Denise Calnan (31 October 2017). "Australian MP sparks backlash for her 'anti-Irish' comments". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Australian minister apologises for 'Irish accent' comments". RTE. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
- ^ "Australian minister tells homeowners to 'automatically' tell Irish people to get away from their door comments". The Journal.ie. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
External links
- 1975 births
- Living people
- Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
- Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Victoria
- Labor Right politicians
- Mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)
- Victoria (Australia) local government politicians
- Australian women in politics
- Recipients of the Centenary Medal
- RMIT University alumni
- Australian people of Lebanese descent
- 21st-century Australian politicians
- 21st-century women politicians