Sharon Bird

The Honourable Sharon Bird MP
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
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 October 2004
Preceded by	Michael Organ
Personal details
Born	Sharon Leah Reed 15 November 1962 Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Domestic partner	Gino Mandarino
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Sydney University of Wollongong
Occupation	Teacher
Website	Official website

Sharon Leah Bird (née Reed, born 15 November 1962) is an Australian politician. Bird is an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Division of Cunningham in New South Wales since the 2004 election. Bird has been the Shadow Minister for Vocational Education since October 2013.

Background and early career

Bird 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 prior to 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

Bird 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]

Sharon Bird is a supporter of same-sex marriage, voting in favour on the issue 3 times.^[8][9][10]

See also

• Second Gillard Ministry
• Second Rudd Ministry

References

1. "The Hon Sharon Bird MP". Senators and Members. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
2. Bennett, Scott (11 November 2002). "The Cunningham by-election 2002". Parliament of Australia.
3. Green, Antony (19 November 2007). "Cunningham – Federal Election 2007". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
4. House of Representatives 2004 – Cunningham, Australian Electoral Commission, 2005
5. "Changes to the Ministry". Press office (Press release). Prime Minister of Australia. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
6. "Changes to the Ministry". Press office (Press release). Prime Minister of Australia. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
7. "Second Rudd Ministry" (PDF). Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Search or browse Hansard for Sharon Bird at OpenAustralia.org