Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells | |
---|---|
Minister for International Development and the Pacific | |
Assumed office 18 February 2016 | |
Preceded by | Steven Ciobo |
Senator for New South Wales | |
Assumed office 5 May 2005 | |
Preceded by | John Tierney |
Personal details | |
Born | Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia | 20 May 1960
Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
Spouse | John Wells |
Alma mater | Australian National University |
Profession | Solicitor |
Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells (born 20 May 1960) is an Australian politician. She is a Senator for the state of New South Wales representing the Liberal Party since May 2005. Fierravanti-Wells is the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, since February 2016 in the Turnbull Government.[1] She has previously served as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs between September 2015 and February 2016. Fierravanti-Wells was elected to the Senate at the 2004 federal election.
Background and early career
Fierravanti-Wells was born in Wollongong, New South Wales;[2] and both her parents were Italian immigrants.[3] She was educated at the Australian National University, and was a senior government lawyer and ministerial advisor before entering politics. She was a Policy Advisor to Jim Carlton, then Shadow Minister for Policy Co-ordination and Development, between 1990 and 1993, and Senior Private Secretary to John Fahey, then Premier of New South Wales, from 1993 to 1994.
She was a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor between 1994 and 2004.
Political career
Fierravanti-Wells has been a member of the Federal Council of the Liberal Party; is an active member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy; and is on the committee of a new Liberal Party publication, The Conservative.[citation needed] She opposes same-sex marriage and adoption, claiming in a 2012 interview that many LGBT people do not "even intend on staying in a monogamous relationship".[4]
Normally she would have taken her seat on 1 July 2005, however following the resignation of Senator John Tierney in April (his term was due to expire on 30 June), Fierravanti-Wells was appointed to the resulting vacancy, and took her seat on 5 May.
Prior to the 2013 federal election, she was the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing; and was appointed to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Services from September 2013. During the Turnbull cabinet re-shuffle, Fierravanti-Wells was appointed as Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, an outer ministry position.[5]
On 13 February 2016, it was announced that Fierravanti-Wells would be appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry.[6]
References
- ^ "Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony". Events. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
- ^ http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=(Id:handbook/allmps/e4t);
- ^ http://www.senatorcfw.com.au/IntheSenate/FirstSpeech.aspx
- ^ McIlwain, Kate (21 September 2012). "Gay couples 'not interested in monogamy'". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ^ "Turnbull cabinet reshuffle: who's going where". ABC News. Australia.
- ^ Massola, James (13 February 2016). "Cabinet reshuffle: Malcolm Turnbull announces new frontbench as Mal Brough resigns". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
External links
- 1960 births
- Living people
- Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia
- Members of the Australian Senate
- Members of the Australian Senate for New South Wales
- Australian women in politics
- Women members of the Australian Senate
- Australian monarchists
- Australian politicians of Italian descent
- Australian National University alumni
- Abbott Government
- Turnbull Government