Sharon Leah Bird (née Reed, born 15 November 1962) is an Australian former politician. Bird served as an Australian Labor Party (ALP) member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Cunningham in New South Wales from 2004 to 2022. She served as a minister during the late Gillard-Rudd years until Labor lost government at the next election. She served as the Shadow Minister for Vocational Education from October 2013 until July 2016. In 2021, Bird announced she would not be re-contesting at the 2022 Federal Election, retiring from politics.
Sharon Bird | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Regional Development | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | Anthony Albanese (as Minister for Regional Development and Local Government) |
| Succeeded by | Warren Truss (as Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) |
| Minister for Regional Communications | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | New portfolio |
| Succeeded by | Fiona Nash |
| Minister for Road Safety | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | Catherine King |
| Succeeded by | Jamie Briggs (as Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) |
| Minister for Higher Education and Skills | |
| In office 25 March 2013 – 1 July 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | New portfolio |
| Succeeded by | Sussan Ley (as Assistant Minister for Education) |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Cunningham | |
| In office 9 October 2004 – 21 May 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Organ |
| Succeeded by | Alison Byrnes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sharon Leah Reed 15 November 1962 Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Domestic partner | Gino Mandarino |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney University of Wollongong |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Website | www |
Background and early career
editBird was born in Wollongong, and was educated at the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong. She was a TAFE and high-school teacher before entering politics. She worked as an electorate officer for Colin Hollis, the member for the adjoining seat of Throsby, and was then a Senior Project Officer with the New South Wales Department of Juvenile Justice. Bird was a member of the Shellharbour Council between 1991 and 1995.[1]
Political career
editBird first contested the seat of Cunningham at the 2002 by-election held following the resignation of Labor's Stephen Martin. Despite Bird polling 38.13% of the primary vote, the Australian Greens' Michael Organ won the seat on a two-party-preferred basis.[2][3]
Bird contested Cunningham again in the 2004 general election. Although she took a large early lead, she was unable to secure victory until Organ was eliminated and his preferences flowed overwhelmingly to her, allowing her to win on the 10th count.[4]
On 2 March 2012, Bird was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and Skills,[5] and was promoted as Minister for Higher Education and Skills in a rearrangement of the Second Gillard Ministry on 25 March 2013.[6] In July 2013, Bird was appointed as the Minister for Regional Development, the Minister for Regional Communications and the Minister for Road Safety in the Second Rudd Ministry.[7]
Bird is a supporter of same-sex marriage, voting in favour on the issue three times.[8][9][10]
On 19 November 2021, Bird announced that she would not be contesting the 2022 election, retiring after 18 years as the member for Cunningham.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Hon Sharon Bird MP". Senators and Members. Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Bennett, Scott (11 November 2002). "The Cunningham by-election 2002". Parliament of Australia. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007.
- ^ Green, Antony (19 November 2007). "Cunningham – Federal Election 2007". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
- ^ House of Representatives 2004 – Cunningham Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Electoral Commission, 2005
- ^ "Changes to the Ministry". Press office (Press release). Prime Minister of Australia. 2 March 2012. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Changes to the Ministry". Press office (Press release). Prime Minister of Australia. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ "Second Rudd Ministry" (PDF). Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sharon Bird voted very strongly for same-sex marriage equality — They Vote for You". Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ "Cunningham". Australian Marriage Equality. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Sharon Bird, former Representative, Cunningham (OpenAustralia.org)". www.openaustralia.org.au. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "Federal Labor MP Sharon Bird announces retirement after 18 years in parliament". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
External links
edit- Official website
- Search or browse Hansard for Sharon Bird at OpenAustralia.org