Catherine King (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine King
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Official portrait, 2022
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| Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government | |
| Assumed office 1 June 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Anthony Albanese |
| Preceded by | Barnaby Joyce |
| Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 18 September 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd |
| Preceded by | Anthony Albanese |
| Succeeded by | Warren Truss |
| Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories Minister for Road Safety |
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| In office 25 March 2013 – 1 July 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | Jim Lloyd |
| Succeeded by | Sharon Bird |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Ballarat |
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| Assumed office 10 November 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Ronaldson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 June 1966 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Labor |
| Spouse | Mark Karlovic |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Alma mater | Australian National University, Phillip Institute of Technology |
| Signature |  |
Catherine Fiona King is an Australian politician. She was born on June 2, 1966. She is a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ballarat, a region in Victoria. She has held this role since 2001. Catherine King is part of the Australian Labor Party. Since 2022, she has been a Minister in the Australian Government. She is currently the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. This means she helps manage roads, public transport, and development in different parts of Australia.
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Growing Up
Catherine King was born in Melbourne, Australia. This was on June 2, 1966. She went to Emmaus College for her high school education.
Her Career Before Politics
Catherine King started her career helping people. From 1988 to 1992, she worked as a social worker. This was at Ballarat Children's Homes and Family Services. In 1991, she was named Victorian Young Achiever of the Year. This award was for her work in community services.
That same year, she worked in Birmingham, England, for six months. This experience helped her decide to enter politics later on.
After that, Catherine joined the Australian Public Service. This is where people work for the government.
- From 1993 to 1994, she worked on food policy.
- From 1997 to 1999, she worked in the Department of Health. She helped with public health and preventing injuries.
While working for the government, she lived in Canberra. Later, she moved back to Victoria. She then worked for a private company called KPMG.
Her Journey in Politics
Catherine King joined the Australian Labor Party in 1993. She briefly worked for Andrew Theophanous. He was a parliamentary secretary for health. From 1998 to 1999, she was president of the Labor Party's Port Melbourne branch.
Catherine King is a member of a group within the Labor Party called Labor Left.
Starting in Parliament (2001–2007)
In the 2001 Australian federal election, Catherine King won a seat in Parliament. She was the only Labor candidate to win a seat from the Liberal Party that year. She had a big increase in votes. This was likely because she had more time to campaign. The Liberal Party's first candidate resigned before the election.
She kept her seat in the elections of 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.
In the 2004 Australian federal election, she was re-elected. She was then given a role called Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development. Later, she became Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury. A "Shadow Minister" is someone from the opposition party. They watch over what the government minister in that area is doing.
Serving in Government (2007–2013)
Catherine King was re-elected for her third term in the 2007 Australian federal election. She won with even more votes. In the 2010 Australian federal election, her support grew even more.
In 2010, she was appointed to the Second Gillard Ministry. This means she became part of the government's team. She was sworn in by the Governor-General Quentin Bryce. She became the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing. She was also the Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport.
In March 2013, Catherine King became a full Minister. She was the Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories. She was also the Minister for Road Safety. After a change in leadership in June 2013, she became the Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories. She was promoted to the Australian Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers who make important decisions.
Back in Opposition (2013–2022)
The Labor government lost the 2013 Australian federal election. However, Catherine King kept her seat in Parliament. After Bill Shorten became the Labor Leader, Catherine King joined the Shadow Cabinet. She became the Labor Health spokesperson.
She was re-elected for a sixth time in the July 2016 federal election. She kept her role as Shadow Minister for Health. After the 2019 Australian federal election, she was given a new role. She became the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. This was in Anthony Albanese's shadow ministry.
Back in Government (2022–Present)
After the 2022 Australian federal election, the Labor Party won. Catherine King was appointed Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. She is now a key minister in the Albanese ministry.
