*** Welcome to piglix ***

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
Assumed office
9 October 2004
Preceded by Michael Organ
Personal details
Born Sharon Leah Reed
(1962-11-15) 15 November 1962 (age 54)
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.

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.

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.

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.


...
Wikipedia

...