Michael Sukkar
Michael Sukkar | |
---|---|
File:Michael Sukkar MP profile picture.jpg | |
Assistant Minister to the Treasurer | |
Assumed office 24 January 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Malcolm Turnbull |
Preceded by | Alex Hawke |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Deakin | |
Assumed office 7 September 2013 | |
Preceded by | Mike Symon |
Personal details | |
Born | Melbourne, Australia | 11 September 1981
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse | Anna Duthie |
Alma mater | Deakin University University of Melbourne |
Profession | Politician Lawyer |
Website | Official website |
Michael Sven Sukkar (born 11 September 1981) is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since September 2013, representing the Division of Deakin in Victoria for the Liberal Party.[1] He has served as the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer since 24 January 2017.[2]
Early life and education
Michael Sukkar was born in Ringwood, Victoria. His father was a Lebanese migrant; his mother's father was a Norwegian migrant. They were small business owners. Sukkar grew up in Ringwood and attended primary school at Sacred Heart in Croydon and then secondary school at Aquinas College in Ringwood. He went on to complete a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University and later a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne.[3][4]
Preparliamentary Career
Prior to entering the Parliament, Sukkar spent seven years working as a lawyer with the firm, Ashurst Australia (then known as Blake Dawson Waldron) where he was a Senior Associate. In this role, he advised many of Australia's most successful individuals and largest corporate groups. Before this role, he worked as a Senior Consultant with accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers where he specialised in taxation.[4]
Parliamentary career
The seat of Deakin was held by the Liberal Party from 1984-2007 but was lost by Phil Barresi to Labor's Mike Symon in 2007. In 2012, Sukkar was endorsed as the Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Deakin. He won Deakin, then the second most marginal seat in Australia, at the 2013 election with a swing to the Liberal Party of 3.8%.[5]
In his maiden speech, Sukkar declared "strength in our local community is not achieved through government mandate, regulation or handouts, but from the principles of looking after your neighbour and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you."[4]
At the 2016 federal election, Sukkar increased his margin by 2.5% and had the Liberal Party's best result in Victoria.[3] "The Labor Party poured a fortune into their campaign to win Deakin back but, owing to his consistent hard work for the community, Michael Sukkar achieved a positive swing of [2.5] per cent," Michael Kroger, State President of the Victorian Liberal Party said.[3][6]
On 24 January 2017, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull appointed Sukkar to the Ministry as Assistant Minister to the Treasurer.[2] Sukkar has previously served on a number of parliamentary committees, including being the Chairman of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.[4]
Sukkar was also given responsibility for addressing housing affordability.[7] On the 19 January 2017, Sukkar was quoted in The Australian newspaper saying “The realistic aspiration to buy a home has been integral to the social and economic success of Australians and the government wants to ensure that that is a realistic opportunity for all Australians into the future".[8] Sukkar has also been working on improving public and social housing. “We believe it’s crucial that every dollar of spending on affordable housing programs increases the number and availability of public and social housing stock,” Sukkar said.[9]
References
- ^ "Michael Sukkar Candidate for Deakin". Liberal Party of Australia. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ a b "New federal ministers officially sworn in". Sky News. Australia. AAP. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "Electorate: Deakin". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d "First Speech". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ "Deakin Results". Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ "Victorian Liberals should be proud of their results". Herald Sun. 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ ""Sukkar to tackle housing affordability"". 21 February 2017.
- ^ "We'll make sure housing..." Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ "Australia needs to reboot affordable housing funding, not scrap it". The Conversation. Australia. 6 March 2017.
- 1981 births
- Living people
- Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives
- Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Deakin
- Australian people of Lebanese descent
- Australian people of Norwegian descent
- 21st-century Australian politicians
- Turnbull Government