Chris Bowen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Chris Bowen MP
Bowen in 2024
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 June 2022
Prime Minister	Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Angus Taylor
Leader of the Opposition
Acting
In office 18 September 2013 – 13 October 2013
Prime Minister	Tony Abbott
Deputy	Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Tony Abbott
Succeeded by	Bill Shorten
Treasurer of Australia
In office 27 June 2013 – 18 September 2013
Prime Minister	Kevin Rudd
Preceded by	Wayne Swan
Succeeded by	Joe Hockey
Federal Minister 2007–⁠2013 Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research In office 4 February 2013 – 25 March 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Preceded by Chris Evans Succeeded by Craig Emerson Minister for Small Business In office 4 February 2013 – 22 March 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Preceded by Brendan O'Connor Succeeded by Gary Gray Minister for Immigration and Citizenship In office 14 September 2010 – 4 February 2013 Prime Minister Julia Gillard Preceded by Chris Evans Succeeded by Brendan O'Connor Minister for Human Services In office 9 June 2009 – 14 September 2010 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard Preceded by Joe Ludwig Succeeded by Tanya Plibersek Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law In office 9 June 2009 – 14 September 2010 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard Preceded by Nick Sherry Succeeded by Bill Shorten Assistant Treasurer of Australia In office 3 December 2007 – 8 June 2009 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Preceded by Peter Dutton Succeeded by Nick Sherry Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs In office 3 December 2007 – 8 June 2009 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Succeeded by Craig Emerson
Member of the Australian Parliament for McMahon
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 August 2010
Preceded by	New seat
Member of the Australian Parliament for Prospect
In office 9 October 2004 – 21 August 2010
Preceded by	Janice Crosio
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Mayor of Fairfield
In office September 1998 – September 1999
Preceded by	Anwar Khoshaba
Succeeded by	Anwar Khoshaba
Councillor of the City of Fairfield
In office 1995–2004
Personal details
Born	Christopher Eyles Guy Bowen (1973-01-17) 17 January 1973 (age 52) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouses	Rebecca Mifsud ​ ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	2
Education	St Johns Park High School
Alma mater	University of Sydney (BEc)
Profession	Politician

Chris Bowen (born 17 January 1973) is an Australian politician. He is currently the Minister for Climate Change and Energy in the Australian government. He has held this important role since June 2022.

Chris Bowen is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 2004. He also served as a minister in the governments led by Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard between 2007 and 2013.

Before joining the national parliament, Chris Bowen worked in local government. He was a councillor for the Fairfield City Council from 1995 to 2004. During this time, he also served as the mayor for one year.

In the Australian Parliament, he first represented the area of Prospect. Later, in 2010, he moved to represent the area of McMahon. He has held many different ministerial jobs, including Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Immigration. He was also the Treasurer for a short time in 2013.

After the Labor Party lost the 2013 election, Chris Bowen briefly became the acting leader of the Labor Party. He then served as the Shadow Treasurer until 2019. When the Labor Party won the election in 2022, he became the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Early Life and Education

Chris Bowen was born in Sydney, Australia, on 17 January 1973. His mother, Christine, was a childcare worker, and his father, Ross, worked for a motoring association. Chris grew up in a suburb called Smithfield.

He went to Smithfield Public School and then St Johns Park High School. After high school, he studied at the University of Sydney. In 1994, he earned a degree in Economics.

Political Journey

Chris Bowen started his political career in local government. He was elected to the Fairfield City Council in 1995. He became the Mayor of Fairfield in 1998 and served until 1999. From 1999 to 2001, he was also the president of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC).

In 2004, Chris Bowen was elected to the House of Representatives. He took over from Janice Crosio, who retired after many years in politics. In 2006, he joined the Labor Party's team of spokespeople, known as the Shadow Ministry.

Serving as a Government Minister (2007–2013)

First Rudd and Gillard Governments

In December 2007, when Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister, Chris Bowen was appointed Assistant Treasurer. He was also the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs. In June 2009, he was promoted to a more senior role in the government. He became the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation, and Corporate Law. He also served as the Minister for Human Services.

In April 2010, Chris Bowen announced important changes to how financial services work. These changes aimed to make sure financial advisors acted in the best interest of their clients. They also gave more power to the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. These reforms were put in place to help protect people's money.

Second Gillard Government

In September 2010, Chris Bowen became the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. This role involved managing Australia's immigration policies. In February 2013, he also took on the role of Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science, and Research.

Chris Bowen resigned from his ministerial roles in March 2013. This happened after he supported an attempt to bring Kevin Rudd back as Prime Minister.

Second Rudd Government

In June 2013, Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister again. Chris Bowen was then appointed as the Treasurer. This is a very important job that involves managing the country's money and economy. He also looked after financial services and superannuation. He held this position for a few months.

In Opposition (2013–2022)

After the Labor Party lost the 2013 federal election, Chris Bowen became the temporary leader of the Labor Party. He decided not to run for the permanent leadership role. Bill Shorten was then elected as the new leader. Chris Bowen was appointed as the Shadow Treasurer by Bill Shorten. This meant he was the main spokesperson for the Labor Party on economic matters.

After the 2019 federal election, Bill Shorten resigned as leader. Chris Bowen was considered a possible new leader, but he decided not to run. He then became the Shadow Minister for Health.

Current Role in Government (2022–Present)

After the Labor Party won the 2022 federal election, Chris Bowen was appointed as the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. In this role, he is responsible for Australia's policies on climate change and energy.

As Minister, Chris Bowen has overseen new policies for energy and industry. These include changes to how big businesses manage their carbon emissions. He also helped set up funds to support new renewable energy projects.

Personal Life

Chris Bowen is married to Rebecca Mifsud. They met at a Labor Party conference in 2000. Rebecca works in industrial relations. They have two children and live in Smithfield, the same suburb where Chris grew up.

Chris Bowen also has a diploma in Bahasa Indonesia, which is the language of Indonesia. He supports the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League.

See also

• Rudd government (2007–2010)
• Rudd government (2013)