TANYA PLIBERSEK

Tanya Plibersek was appointed the Shadow Minister for Education and Shadow Minister for Women in early 2021 and has been a prominent member of the Australian Labor Party since her election to Federal Parliament in 1998. She studied Communications at the University of Technology in Sydney, and following her graduation, she worked in the NSW Government's Domestic Violence Unit. In 1998, she was elected as the Federal MP for Sydney. Plibersek has held numerous roles within parliament, including Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for Housing, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Social Inclusion, and Minister for the Status of Women. In these roles, Plibersek has promoted women's issues and advocated for change.

In May 2008, while she was the Minister for the Status of Women, Plibersek set up the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and developed its plan for Australia, which was published in 2009. Furthermore, Plibersek is publicly pro-choice. While she was the Minister for Health, the Government approved the listing of the abortion drug RU486 on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme with the goal of making treatment accessible for women who needed it. In 2019, Plibersek announced additional support for families who need access to childcare services as an election promise. Plibersek has stated that she understands both the need and significance of quality and affordable childcare and promotes bringing support to the families who need it.

From 2013 to 2019, Plibersek was the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Federal Labor Party. Additionally, under both the Gillard and Rudd Governments she served as a Cabinet Minister. She is a current member of EMILY's List and was supported in her election in 1998. Plibersek is now the longest-serving woman parliamentarian in the Australian House of Representatives.