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Julia Gillard

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The Honourable
Julia Gillard
MP
27th Prime Minister of Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 June 2010
DeputyWayne Swan
Preceded byKevin Rudd
Leader of the Labor Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 June 2010
DeputyWayne Swan
Preceded byKevin Rudd
13th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
In office
3 December 2007 – 24 June 2010
Prime MinisterKevin Rudd
Preceded byMark Vaile
Succeeded byWayne Swan
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Lalor
Incumbent
Assumed office
3 October 1998
Preceded byBarry Jones
Personal details
Born (1961-09-29) 29 September 1961 (age 62)
Barry, Wales, UK
Political partyLabor Party
ResidenceAltona, Victoria[1]

Julia Eileen Gillard (born 29 September 1961) is the 27th Prime Minister of Australia and Australia's first female prime minister.

Gillard became the Leader of the Australian Labor Party at the 2010 Australian Labor Party leadership election on 24 June 2010 and was sworn in as prime minister later that day. She had previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia under Kevin Rudd. On 11 December 2007, she became the first woman in Australia's history to assume the prime ministerial role when she was the acting prime minister while Rudd attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.[2]

Gillard is also the first foreign-born prime minister since Billy Hughes, who served from 1915 to 1923,[3] and Australia's first prime minister who has never married.[4]

Gillard has been a Labor Party member of the House of Representatives since the 1998 federal election. She represents the Division of Lalor, west of Melbourne.

Early life

Gillard was born in 1961 in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.[5] Her parents, John and Moira, live in Pasadena, South Australia.[6] She has a sister, Alison, who is three years older.[7] Nye Bevan remains one of her political heroes.[8]

After Gillard suffered from bronchopneumonia as a child, her parents were advised it would aid her recovery to live in a warmer climate.[7] The family chose to migrate to Australia in 1966, settling in Adelaide.[9]

Gillard's father trained as a psychiatric nurse, while her mother worked at the local Salvation Army nursing home.[7] She and her sister attended Mitcham Demonstration School, and she then attended Unley High School.[10] She then attended the University of Adelaide but abandoned her studies in 1982 and moved to Melbourne to work with the Australian Union of Students.[11] She graduated from the University of Melbourne with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees in 1986.[12]

In 1987, Gillard joined law firm Slater & Gordon at Werribee, working in the area of industrial law.[13] In 1990 at the age of 29, she was admitted as one of their first female partners.[8]

In a 2007 interview, Gillard stated: "I used to think I wanted to be a school teacher. There was an English teacher at Mitcham Primary [in Adelaide], who was a real stickler for standards and grammar and punctuation but who was also very kindly. I thought teachers were good; I thought it would be a rewarding job, seeing the eyes of young people light up with new information. I got talked out of that ambition for good or for ill by a school friend's mother, who said, 'No, you're really good at arguing and debating, you should try law.' If I hadn't been pre-selected for the seat of Lalor and run successfully in the 1998 election, I'd probably still be somewhere in and around the law; public sector law perhaps. Maybe giving tutorials, trying to pound law into other people's heads."[14]

Political provenance

Introduced to politics in her second year at the University of Adelaide by the daughter of a state Labor official, she joined the Labor Club and became involved in a campaign to fight state education budget cuts.[7]

Moving to Melbourne, in 1983, Gillard became the second woman to lead the Australian Union of Students.[15] Gillard was also formerly the secretary of the left-wing organisation, Socialist Forum. As an active member of the Socialist Forum, she lobbied for the scrapping of the ANZUS treaty, making Leningrad a sister city of Melbourne, and introducing a super-tax on the rich.[16]

From 1996 to 1998, Gillard served as Chief of Staff to John Brumby, at that time the Victorian Opposition Leader.[5] She was responsible for drafting the affirmative action rules within the Labor Party in Victoria that set the target of preselecting women for 35 per cent of winnable seats within a decade.[citation needed] She also played a role in the foundation of EMILY's List, the pro-choice fund-raising and support network for Labor women.[citation needed]

Opposition member

Gillard was elected as Member for Lalor in the House of Representatives at the 1998 election, replacing Barry Jones, who had retired. She made her first speech to the house on 11 November 1998.[17]

Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration: 2001–03

After Labor's defeat at the 2001 election, Gillard was elected to the Shadow Cabinet with the portfolio of population and immigration. In February 2003, she was given the additional portfolios of reconciliation and Indigenous affairs.[18]

In the wake of the Tampa and Children Overboard affairs, which were partly credited with Labor's 2001 election loss, Gillard developed a new immigration policy for the Labor Party.[citation needed]

Shadow Minister for Health: 2003–06

Gillard was promoted to the position of Shadow Health Minister in July 2003.[19] Shortly after this the government moved the then Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, into the health portfolio.[20] The rivalry between Abbott and Gillard often attracted attention from the media. She gained additional responsibility for managing opposition business in the House of Representatives.[21]

In the aftermath of the Labor loss at the October 2004 election, it was speculated that Gillard might challenge Jenny Macklin for the deputy leadership, but she did not do so.[22]

Gillard had been touted as a potential future leader of the party for some years but, until 2005, she stayed out of leadership contests. After Mark Latham resigned as leader in January 2005, however, she emerged as a possible successor along with Kim Beazley and Kevin Rudd.

After appearing on the ABC's Australian Story program in March 2006,[7][23] an Ipsos Mackay poll in April 2006, conducted for Network Ten's Meet the Press program, found that respondents would prefer Gillard to be Labor leader. She polled 32% compared to Beazley's 25% and Kevin Rudd's 18%.[24]

Although she had significant cross-factional support, she announced on 25 January 2005 that she would not be contesting the leadership, allowing Beazley to be elected unopposed.[25]

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Julia Gillard at her first press conference as Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party, 4 December 2006, with new Leader Kevin Rudd

On 1 December 2006, in a cross factional political partnership with Kevin Rudd, Gillard launched a challenge for the deputy leadership of the ALP.[26] Once Rudd was elected as leader, the incumbent deputy leader and Kim Beazley's deputy, Jenny Macklin, chose not to contest the position and on 4 December 2006 she was elected unopposed.[27] In the frontbench reshuffle following the leadership change, Gillard was elected to take the Employment, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion portfolios.[28]

Deputy Prime Minister: 2007–10

The Labor Party won the 2007 federal election and, on 3 December 2007, Gillard was sworn in as the first female Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.[29]

In addition to the deputy prime ministership, Gillard was given responsibility for a so-called "super ministry", the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. She had three distinct portfolios: Minister for Education; Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; and Minister for Social Inclusion. In her role as Minister for Education, Gillard travelled to Washington, D.C. where she signed a deal with the United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to nurture improved policy collaboration in education reform between both countries.[30]

On 11 December 2007 she became the first woman in Australia's history to be in the prime ministerial role, by assuming the role of acting prime minister while Kevin Rudd attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali.[2] In the first year of government, she served as acting prime minister for 69 days[31] during Rudd's overseas travel engagements.

Gillard is a highly regarded debater and her performances during parliamentary question time have prompted Peter van Onselen to call her "the best parliamentary performer on the Labor side".[32]

Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Gillard removed the WorkChoices industrial relations regime introduced by the Howard government, and replaced it with the Fair Work Bill.[33] This established a single industrial relations bureaucracy called Fair Work Australia.[34]

In 2009 Gillard oversaw the government's "Building the Education Revolution" program, which allocated AU$16 billion to build new school accommodation including classrooms, libraries and assembly halls.[35][36]

Prime Minister of Australia

On 23 June 2010, after meetings throughout the evening between Gillard and then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, as well as factional leaders, Rudd addressed the awaiting media at 10:30 pm AEST and announced that Gillard had asked Rudd to resign or hold a leadership ballot in the 115 member[37] caucus the following day to determine the leadership of the Labor Party and hence the prime ministership of Australia.

Rudd initially said he would challenge Gillard at the election. However, hours before the vote, he resigned as leader when it became apparent that he did not have enough support to overcome Gillard. She thus won the election unopposed. Shortly afterward, she was sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia by the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce. At the same caucus meeting the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, was elected unopposed to succeed Gillard as Labor's deputy leader, and hence Deputy Prime Minister.[3]

On the same day as being sworn in, Gillard in her opening address said that "It is my intention to lead a government that is focused each and every day on meeting the needs of working families around the country" and acknowledged that at times the Rudd Government "went off the tracks ... I came to the view that a good Government was losing its way", distancing herself from the Rudd government's policies regarding problems with the Home Insulation Program, a significant delay to a planned carbon emissions reduction scheme,[38] a move to introduce mandatory Internet filtering,[39] and the introduction of the Resource Super Profits Tax.[38]

Personal life

Gillard has not married or had children.[40] Her boyfriend since 2006,[4] Tim Mathieson, is a hairdresser.[41] She had previous relationships with union official Michael O'Connor and Labor minister Craig Emerson.[42]

Gillard said through a spokeswoman that she is a "non-practising Baptist" and "not religious".[43][44]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wright, Tony (2 January 2008). "Forget Canberra, Altona has become the new heart of the nation". The Age. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  2. ^ a b Kerin, Lindy (10 December 2007). "Gillard makes Aust history as female acting PM". ABC News. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  3. ^ a b Kerr, Christian; Franklin, Matthew (24 June 2010). "Julia Gillard 'honoured' to become prime minister as Kevin Rudd stands aside". The Australian. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b Stephen Lunn (25 June 2010). "Let's wait and see on marriage, says Julia Gillard's partner". The Australian. News Limited.
  5. ^ a b "The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Member for Lalor (Vic)". Australian House of Representatives. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  6. ^ Julia Gillard's parents 'elated'
  7. ^ a b c d e "Australia Story - Julia Gillard Interview Transcript". ABC Television. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  8. ^ a b Davis, Mark (24 June 2010). "Focus and ambition drive her success". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Julia Gillard in Person". Counterpoint. 20 September 2004. Radio National. yes. {{cite episode}}: External link in |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |transcripturl= ignored (|transcript-url= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Gillard addresses students at former high school". ABC News. 14 December 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  11. ^ Simons, Margaret (16 February 1983). "Room at the top on the campus". The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  12. ^ "Julia Gillard". Melbourne Law School. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  13. ^ "The Other Biography: Jacueline Kent's "The Making of Julia Gillard" by Christine Wallace". The Monthly. Schwartz Publishing. October 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  14. ^ "Roads not travelled". Stevedow.com.au. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  15. ^ Mayes, Andrea (10 August 2007). "Julie Bishop and Julia Gillard clash". Perth Now. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  16. ^ Wright, Lincoln (7 August 2007). "Will Julia Gillard's past cause red faces?". Sunday Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Ms Julia Gillard MP, Member for Labor (Vic), First speech to Parliament". Australian House of Representatives. 11 November 1998. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  18. ^ "Crean names new team". ABC News. 18 February 2003. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  19. ^ Hudson, Phillip (2 July 2003). "ALP rising star for key health role". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  20. ^ Wroe, David (30 September 2003). "Doctor groups hail promotion of 'head kicker'". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  21. ^ Banham, Cynthia (3 December 2003). "Gillard's loyalty pays off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  22. ^ Grattan, Michelle (22 January 2005). "Beazley no to Gillard as deputy". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  23. ^ "The Gillard Diaries". Australian Story. 6 March 2006. ABC1. yes. {{cite episode}}: External link in |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |transcripturl= ignored (|transcript-url= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Julia Gillard preferred ALP leader: poll". The Age. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
  25. ^ Grattan, Michelle (27 January 2005). "Gillard tells Beazley to be a bold leader". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  26. ^ Hudson, Phillip; Coorey, Phillip (1 December 2006). "Rudd, Gillard confirm challenge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  27. ^ Coorey, Phillip (5 December 2006). "We'll rebuild nation, says Rudd". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  28. ^ Grattan, Michelle (11 December 2006). "Plums for Rudd men in shadow reshuffle". The Age. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  29. ^ Marriner, Cosima (26 November 2007). "Gillard reveals: it was the go-girl factor". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  30. ^ Harrison, Dan (19 October 2009). "Ms Gillard goes to Washington". The Age. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  31. ^ Norington, Brad (24 November 2008). "Business as usual for Gillard the caretaker". The Australian. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  32. ^ van Onselen, Peter (14 March 2009). "Shorten pathway to a Gillard future". The Australian. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  33. ^ Viellaris, Renee (20 March 2009). "WorkChoices finally dead: Julia Gillard". The Australian. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  34. ^ "PM promises not to extend Work Choices". The Age. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
  35. ^ Bita, Natasha (10 September 2009). "Grant to trail girl to next school". The Australian. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  36. ^ Bita, Natasha (22 October 2009). "Julia Gillard to reclaim school payouts". The Australian. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  37. ^ Harvey, Michael (23 June 2010). "Federal Labor MPs moving to axe Kevin Rudd and replace him with Julia Gillard". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  38. ^ a b Pannett, Rachel (23 June 2010). "Australia's Rudd Calls Vote on Leadership". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  39. ^ Moses, Asher (18 June 2010). "Toxic net filters 'shelved until after election'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  40. ^ "Gillard defends childlessness". The Australian. 17 January 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  41. ^ "Gillard's partner Tim Mathieson 'bubbly'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  42. ^ "The Gillard Diaries - Transcript". Australian Story. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  43. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (26 December 2009). "Catholics divided in the House". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  44. ^ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/women-in-power-as-julia-gillard-sworn-in-as-australian-prime-minister-by-quentin-bryce/story-e6frgczf-1225883800485
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Julia Gillard.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Lalor
1998–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
2006–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Labor Party
2010–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
2007–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
2007–2010 		Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by Minister for Education
2007–2010
New office Minister for Social Inclusion
2007–2010
Preceded by Prime Minister of Australia
2010–present 		Incumbent


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