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Michaelia Cash facts for kids

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Senator The Honourable
Michaelia Cash
Michaelia Cash 2018 (cropped).jpg
Cash in 2018
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Assumed office
23 May 2022
Leader Simon Birmingham
Preceded by Kristina Keneally
Senator for Western Australia
Assumed office
1 July 2008
Preceded by Ross Lightfoot
Personal details
Born
Michaelia Clare Cash

(1970-07-19) 19 July 1970 (age 54)
Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
Political party Liberal
Parent George Cash
Alma mater

Michaelia Clare Cash (born 19 July 1970) is an Australian politician. She has been a Senator for Western Australia since 2008. She is a member of the Liberal Party of Australia.

From 2021 to 2022, she served as the 38th Attorney-General of Australia in the Morrison government. She was also the Minister for Industrial Relations during this time. Before that, she held roles like Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business and Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education.

In the Turnbull government, she was the Minister for Jobs and Innovation (2017–2018). She also served as Minister for Employment and Minister for Women (2015–2017).

Early Life and Education

Michaelia Cash was born on 19 July 1970 in Subiaco, Western Australia. She grew up in Mount Lawley, a suburb of Perth. Her father, George Cash, was a construction company owner and a politician. He served as the President of the Western Australian Legislative Council.

She attended Iona Presentation College, a Catholic school. Later, she studied at Curtin University, graduating in 1990. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations, politics, and journalism. She also holds a law degree from the University of London. She completed a legal practice diploma at the University of Western Australia.

After university, Michaelia spent three years traveling overseas. She visited countries like Israel, Egypt, and Turkey.

Starting in Politics

Michaelia Cash joined the Liberal Party in 1988. She was very active in youth political groups. She held leadership roles in the Curtin University Young Liberals. She also served as State Vice-President of the Western Australian Young Liberal Movement.

She was a long-time member of the Liberal Party's State Council. She also served on the Party's state executive.

Before becoming a politician, Cash worked as a solicitor. From 1999 to 2008, she worked at the law firm Freehills. She focused on employment and industrial law. This included areas like workplace relations and safety.

Political Career Highlights

Cash was chosen to run for the Senate in 2007. She was elected to the Federal Parliament in the 2007 Australian federal election. She represented Western Australia.

Since joining Parliament, she has been part of many Senate Committees. She also served as Temporary Chair of Committees. In September 2010, she became Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women. She also took on the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration.

Ministerial Roles

When the Abbott government was elected in 2013, Cash became the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. She was also the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women.

In September 2015, the Turnbull government was formed. Cash was sworn in as the Minister for Employment. She also became the Minister for Women.

In December 2017, she was appointed to a new role. She became the Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

In August 2018, during a change in political leadership, Cash offered to resign. However, when Scott Morrison became Prime Minister, she was re-appointed. She became the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education.

In May 2019, she was appointed Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. In October 2020, she also became the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.

On 29 March 2021, Cash was appointed Attorney-General of Australia. She also became the Minister for Industrial Relations. This happened after a cabinet reshuffle.

Cash is a member of the National Right group within the Liberal Party.

Personal Life

Michaelia Cash is married to Richard Price. He is a barrister, which is a type of lawyer. They met while working at the same law firm. Richard is the brother of the late political journalist Matt Price.

Cash was diagnosed with a health condition called rheumatoid arthritis at age 25. This later developed into other related conditions.

See also

  • Abbott Ministry
  • First Turnbull Ministry
  • Second Turnbull Ministry
  • First Morrison Ministry
  • Second Morrison Ministry
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