Bill Shorten facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Bill Shorten
Shorten in 2024
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 February 2025
Preceded by	Stephen Parker
Leader of the Opposition
In office 13 October 2013 – 30 May 2019
Prime Minister	Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison
Deputy	Tanya Plibersek
Preceded by	Chris Bowen (Interim)
Succeeded by	Anthony Albanese
20th Leader of the Labor Party
In office 13 October 2013 – 30 May 2019
Deputy	Tanya Plibersek
Preceded by	Kevin Rudd
Succeeded by	Anthony Albanese
Ministerial roles Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme In office 1 June 2022 – 20 January 2025 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Preceded by Linda Reynolds Succeeded by Amanda Rishworth Minister for Government Services In office 1 June 2022 – 20 January 2025 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Preceded by Linda Reynolds Succeeded by Katy Gallagher Minister for Workplace Relations In office 14 December 2011 – 18 September 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd Preceded by Chris Evans Succeeded by Eric Abetz (as Minister for Employment) Minister for Education In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Preceded by Peter Garrett Succeeded by Christopher Pyne Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation In office 14 September 2010 – 1 July 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd Preceded by Chris Bowen Succeeded by David Bradbury Minister for Employment In office 14 December 2011 – 1 July 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd Preceded by Chris Evans Succeeded by Brendan O'Connor Assistant Treasurer of Australia In office 14 September 2010 – 14 December 2011 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Preceded by Nick Sherry Succeeded by Mark Arbib
Member of the Australian Parliament for Maribyrnong
In office 24 November 2007 – 20 January 2025
Preceded by	Bob Sercombe
Succeeded by	Jo Briskey
Personal details
Born	(1967-05-12) 12 May 1967 (age 58) Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouses	Debbie Beale ​ ​ (m. 2000; div. 2008)​ Chloe Bryce ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	1
Relatives	Michael Bryce (father-in-law) Quentin Bryce (mother-in-law)
Education	Monash University (BA, LLB) University of Melbourne (MBA)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Trade unionist
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army Reserve
Years of service	1985–1986

William Richard Shorten (born 12 May 1967) is an Australian who was a politician and a leader in trade unions. He was the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Leader of the Opposition from 2013 to 2019. He also served as a minister in the Australian government at different times.

Shorten was born in Melbourne. He studied law at Monash University. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a lawyer and then as an organiser for the Australian Workers' Union (AWU). He became the national secretary of the AWU in 2001. He became well-known across Australia for his role in helping during the Beaconsfield Mine collapse in 2006.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007, representing the area of Maribyrnong. He became a government minister in 2010, holding roles like Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Education. He played a big part in creating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

After the Labor Party lost the 2013 election, Shorten became the leader of the Labor Party. He led the party in the 2016 and 2019 federal elections. After the 2019 election, he stepped down as leader. When Labor won the 2022 election, Shorten became a minister again, looking after the NDIS and Government Services.

Shorten left politics in January 2025. He is now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, a role he started in February 2025.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family

Bill Shorten was born on 12 May 1967 in Melbourne. He has a twin brother named Robert. His mother was a university academic and a lawyer. She studied at Monash University and later worked as a barrister. His father was a marine engineer from England. He worked in Melbourne and often met with union leaders.

Growing Up

Shorten grew up in Hughesdale, a suburb of Melbourne. He went to St Mary's Catholic Primary School. He later attended Xavier College, a high school in Kew. During his school years, he was good at debating and was chosen for the state debating team. He also enjoyed fencing and was a state champion in the sabre division when he was under 15.

University Studies

In 1985, Shorten started studying at Monash University. He also joined the Australian Army Reserve for a few years. At university, he was involved in student politics, especially with the Labor Party club. He helped create a group within Young Labor. After university, he worked as a lawyer for about twenty months.

Career in Trade Unions

Joining the AWU

In 1994, Bill Shorten began his career in trade unions. He joined the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) as a trainee organiser. He quickly moved up and was elected the Victorian state secretary of the AWU in 1998.

National Leadership

In 2001, Shorten was elected as the AWU's national secretary, a role he held until 2007. During this time, he was an important member of the Labor Party's national executive. He also served on the executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which is a big group for workers' unions.

Beaconsfield Mine Rescue

Shorten speaking at an anti-WorkChoices rally in 2006

In 2006, a mining accident happened at the Beaconsfield Mine collapse. As the national secretary of the AWU, Shorten played a key role. He helped negotiate and spoke to the media about the rescue efforts. This event brought him a lot of national attention and raised his public profile.

Political Journey

Entering Parliament

In 2007, Bill Shorten was elected to the House of Representatives. He became the Labor Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Maribyrnong. After being elected, he was immediately appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary. In this role, he strongly supported the idea of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Becoming a Minister

Shorten in August 2010.

After the 2010 federal election, Shorten was promoted to a government minister. He served as the Assistant Treasurer and then as the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation. He also became the Minister for Workplace Relations. In 2013, he briefly served as the Minister for Education.

Leading the Labor Party

After the Labor government lost the 2013 election, the then-leader, Kevin Rudd, stepped down. Bill Shorten decided to run for the leadership of the Labor Party. He won the election against Anthony Albanese in October 2013. This made him the new leader of the Labor Party and the Leader of the Opposition.

As Opposition Leader

Shorten (right) meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry, in 2014

As Opposition Leader, Shorten often spoke about important issues. In 2015, he called for Australia to become a republic, meaning it would have an Australian head of state instead of the British monarch. He also supported lowering the voting age to 16.

Shorten in Parliament in 2016

In the 2016 federal election, Shorten led the Labor Party to gain 14 seats. The result was very close, with the Liberal-National Coalition winning by just one seat.

In the 2019 federal election, most polls predicted Labor would win. However, the Coalition, led by Scott Morrison, won the election by surprise. After this defeat, Shorten announced he would step down as Labor leader. Anthony Albanese then became the new leader.

After Leadership

Shorten (front row, centre) attending a Commonwealth meeting in June 2022

After stepping down as leader, Shorten remained an important member of the Labor Party. When Labor won the 2022 federal election, Shorten was appointed as the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Minister for Government Services.

As Minister, he worked to improve the NDIS and stop fraud within the scheme. He also led the government's response to an inquiry into a past government scheme called Robodebt, which had caused problems for many people.

On 5 September 2024, Shorten announced he would leave politics. He also shared that he would become the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. He officially resigned from Parliament on 20 January 2025.

Post-Political Career

Bill Shorten became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra on 14 February 2025. This role involves leading the university.

Personal Life

Bill and Chloe Shorten in March 2019

In 2000, Bill Shorten married Debbie Beale. They later divorced in 2008. In 2009, he married Chloe Bryce. Chloe is the daughter of Quentin Bryce, who was the Governor-General of Australia. The Shortens live in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, with their daughter and Chloe's two other children from a previous marriage.

Shorten was raised Catholic but became an Anglican before his second marriage.

See also

In Spanish: Bill Shorten para niños

• Shadow Ministry of Bill Shorten