Penny Wong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Senator The Honourable Penny Wong
Official portrait, 2021
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 May 2022
Prime Minister	Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Marise Payne
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 June 2022
Prime Minister	Anthony Albanese
Deputy	Don Farrell
Preceded by	Simon Birmingham
In office 27 June 2013 – 18 September 2013
Prime Minister	Kevin Rudd
Deputy	Jacinta Collins
Preceded by	Stephen Conroy
Succeeded by	Eric Abetz
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
In office 18 September 2013 – 23 May 2022
Deputy	Stephen Conroy Don Farrell Kristina Keneally
Leader	Bill Shorten Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Eric Abetz
Succeeded by	Simon Birmingham
Minister for Finance and Deregulation
In office 14 September 2010 – 18 September 2013
Prime Minister	Julia Gillard Kevin Rudd
Preceded by	Lindsay Tanner
Succeeded by	Mathias Cormann
Minister for Climate Change
In office 3 December 2007 – 14 September 2010
Prime Minister	Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Greg Combet
Senator for South Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 July 2002
Preceded by	Chris Schacht
Personal details
Born	Penelope Ying-Yen Wong (1968-11-05) 5 November 1968 (age 56) Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Citizenship	Australia Malaysia (until 2001)
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Sophie Allouache ​ (m. 2024)​
Children	2
Education	University of Adelaide (BA, LLB) University of South Australia (LPC)
Signature
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	黃英賢
Simplified Chinese	黄英贤
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Huáng Yīngxián Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ Vòng Yîn-hèn Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Wòhng Yīng-yìhn Jyutping Wong4 Jing1-jin4

Penny Wong is an Australian politician. She was born on 5 November 1968. Currently, she serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. She is also the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Both roles are part of the Albanese government since 2022.

Penny Wong is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). She has been a senator for South Australia since 2002. Before her current roles, she was the Minister for Climate Change. She also served as the Minister for Finance and Deregulation. These roles were under Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard from 2007 to 2013.

In 2008, Penny Wong made history. She became the first Asian-Australian to be part of an Australian Cabinet. A Cabinet is a group of senior ministers who make important decisions for the country. She is also the first openly LGBTI person to hold the office of Australian Foreign Minister.

Penny Wong is known for her long service. On 6 March 2024, she became the longest-serving female cabinet minister in Australian Parliament history. Many surveys have shown that she is one of the most trusted politicians in Australia.

Early Life and Education

Penny Wong's full name is Penelope Ying-Yen Wong. She was born in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Her mother, Jane Chapman, was English-Australian. Her father, Francis Wong, was a Chinese-Malaysian architect.

She attended Scotch College in Adelaide, Australia. After school, she studied at the University of Adelaide. She earned degrees in Arts and Law.

Political Journey

Before becoming a politician, Penny Wong worked as a lawyer. She also advised politicians. She began her political career when she won a seat in the Senate. This happened in the 2001 election.

Key Roles in Government

When the Labor Party won the 2007 election, Penny Wong became the Minister for Climate Change. She led Australia's team at the important UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009.

After the 2010 election, she became the Minister for Finance and Deregulation. In June 2013, her fellow politicians chose her. She became the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Opposition and Return to Government

After the Labor Party lost the 2013 election, Penny Wong took on different roles. She was part of the opposition team. She served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

When Labor won the 2022 election, she was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. She also returned to her role as Leader of the Government in the Senate.

International Relations

As Foreign Minister, Penny Wong quickly visited several Pacific countries. She wanted to show the new government's focus on climate change. She also aimed to strengthen relationships with nations in the region. She visited Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. In Fiji, she spoke at the Pacific Islands Forum.

She also met with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. They talked about strengthening the relationship between Australia and New Zealand. They discussed working together on climate change and other regional issues.

Penny Wong has also spoken about Australia's defense. She supports a greater military presence from the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.

Family Life

Penny Wong is married to Sophie Allouache. They have two daughters. Penny Wong is also fluent in Bahasa Indonesia.

Images for kids

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  Wong in 2007

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  Wong with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau

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  33rd annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Brisbane on July 29, 2023