Kelly O'Dwyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Kelly O'Dwyer
Kelly O'Dwyer in 2017
Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations
In office 24 August 2018 – 11 April 2019
Prime Minister	Scott Morrison
Preceded by	Michaelia Cash
Succeeded by	Christian Porter (Industrial Relations) Michaelia Cash (Jobs)
Minister for Women
In office 20 December 2017 – 11 April 2019
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison
Preceded by	Michaelia Cash
Succeeded by	Marise Payne
Minister for Revenue and Financial Services
In office 19 July 2016 – 24 August 2018
Preceded by	Herself (as Assistant Treasurer)
Succeeded by	Stuart Robert (as Assistant Treasurer)
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service
In office 20 December 2017 – 24 August 2018
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	Michaelia Cash
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister for Small Business
In office 21 September 2015 – 19 July 2016
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	Bruce Billson
Succeeded by	Michael McCormack
Assistant Treasurer
In office 21 September 2015 – 19 July 2016
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	Josh Frydenberg
Succeeded by	Herself (as Minister for Revenue and Financial Services)
Member of the Australian Parliament for Higgins
In office 5 December 2009 – 11 April 2019
Preceded by	Peter Costello
Succeeded by	Katie Allen
Personal details
Born	Kelly Megan O'Dwyer (1977-03-31) 31 March 1977 (age 48) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Jon Mant
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Profession	Lawyer

Kelly Megan O'Dwyer (born 31 March 1977) is a former Australian politician. She was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019. During this time, she represented the Liberal Party.

Before becoming a politician, Kelly O'Dwyer worked as a lawyer and an advisor. She also held a role at the National Australia Bank (NAB). She was first elected to parliament in 2009. She took over from Peter Costello in the area of Higgins. From 2015 to 2019, she held important jobs as a government minister. These roles included Minister for Small Business and Minister for Women. In 2017, she made history as the first Australian cabinet minister to have a baby while in office. She left politics before the 2019 federal election.

Early Life and Career

Kelly O'Dwyer was born in Box Hill, Victoria. She went to Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne and the University of Melbourne. There, she studied arts and law.

After finishing her studies, she worked as a lawyer in Melbourne. She then spent four years as a senior advisor to Peter Costello. He was a very important politician at the time. Later, she worked as an executive at the National Australia Bank.

Kelly O'Dwyer's Political Journey

Kelly O'Dwyer in Parliament in 2016

Becoming a Federal Politician

In 2009, Peter Costello decided to leave parliament. Kelly O'Dwyer was chosen by the Liberal Party to run for his seat in Higgins. This was a special election called a "by-election." She was expected to win easily because the Labor Party did not put forward a candidate.

When she was chosen, Kelly O'Dwyer became the first woman to be picked by the Liberal Party for a safe seat in Melbourne. A "safe seat" means it's usually won by the same party. Some people tried to say that a woman should not hold such an important seat. However, other female politicians supported her.

Winning the 2016 Election

In the 2016 federal election, Kelly O'Dwyer was re-elected. She won with a good number of votes. This showed that people in her area still supported her.

Serving as a Minister

Kelly O'Dwyer started as a Parliamentary Secretary in 2014. This is a junior role helping a minister. In 2015, Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister. He made Kelly O'Dwyer a member of his Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers who make big decisions for the country.

She held several important jobs in the government:

• Minister for Small Business (2015–2016)
• Assistant Treasurer (2015–2016)
• Minister for Revenue and Financial Services (2016–2018)
• Minister for Women (2017–2019)
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service (2017–2018)
• Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations (2018–2019)

In 2018, the BBC listed Kelly O'Dwyer as one of their 100 Women. This list highlights inspiring women from around the world.

On 19 January 2019, Kelly O'Dwyer announced she would not run in the next election. She wanted to spend more time with her family and hoped to have another child.

Personal Life

Kelly O'Dwyer is married to Jon Mant. They have two children. In 2015, her daughter was born. In 2017, she had her second child. This was a special moment because she was the first Cabinet Minister in Australia to give birth while still holding her government job.