Mark Arbib
Encyclopedia
Mark Victor Arbib is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor member of the Australian Senate
since July 2008, representing the state of New South Wales
. He was the Australian Labor Party
State Secretary of the New South Wales branch from 2004 to 2007. In February 2009, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery, a position within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Since 14 September 2010, he is currently the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, the Minister for Sport
and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness.
. His father, Eric Arbib was of Libya
n heritage and spoke Italian, moving to Australia in the 1960s and becoming a property developer. His mother Lola was born in Sydney, and had to raise Mark and his brother after the death of their father when they were young.
He has a Master of Arts in Political Science and Economic History from the University of New South Wales
.
He lives in Sydney with his wife Kelli and two daughters. He is a supporter of the Sydney Roosters
NRL club and is a passionate public Ambassador for Australias leading Indigenous non-profit, the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
restaurant in Bondi Junction. When there were moves to remove penalty rates, he negotiated on behalf of the part time workers and signed up members to the Liquor Trades Union. Later he worked variously as a metal trades assistant, beach inspector and restaurant cook, but became increasingly involved in the trade union movement. In 1995, he was elected as President of NSW Young Labor after joining the Party in 1992. He served as Assistant General Secretary from 1999 and was the ALP State Organiser between 1996 and 1999.
In 2007, Arbib was Campaign Director for Morris Iemma
's successful 2007 state election campaign. Following the 2007 Election victory for the Labor Party, he was credited by former premier Bob Carr
as "one of the best campaigners in the business." However the opposition has criticised his role in procuring political donations
for the Labor party from business groups.
In January, 2008, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted an organisation which makes political donations
to the Labor Party
as saying that Mark Arbib made an art form out of extracting political donations from businesses. Said the donor: "There's no doubt Arbib wrote the book in terms of both political donations ... and their importance ... It's fine to take the higher ground and say 'we won't make donations' ... but if you don't you have got zero chance of getting (to see them)." Arbib denied the allegations. Arbib was named in the ABC
television program Four Corners in relation to political donations to the NSW Labor Party.
From 1 July 2008 to 30 March 2009, Arbib served on the Senate Committees
for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Corporations and Financial Services, and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. He was also the Co Convenor of a bipartisan parliamentary group: Parliamentarians Against Child Abuse and Neglect (PACAN) and is an Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
Arbib is a member of the ALP National Executive
(from 2004) and a member of the ALP National Executive Committee (from 2007). In February 2009, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery. In the June 2009 reshuffle, he was promoted to Employment Participation Minister and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service Delivery. On 24 June 2010 he was one of the main players in the downfall of Kevin Rudd
, then in his first term as Prime Minister. Arbib used his power as leader of the NSW right faction to shore up numbers to depose Rudd in favour of Julia Gillard
.
In August 2010 Arbib stood down from the ALP National Executive to concentrate on his portfolio duties. In November 2010 Arbib was the first Federal Labor Party front bencher to support same-sex marriage.
revealed that Mark Arbib was in regular contact with and acted as a 'protected' source and confidential contact for the US government, providing inside information and commentary on the workings of the government and the Labor Party to officers at the US embassy in Canberra
.
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
since July 2008, representing the state of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. He was the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
State Secretary of the New South Wales branch from 2004 to 2007. In February 2009, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery, a position within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Since 14 September 2010, he is currently the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, the Minister for Sport
Minister for Sport (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Sport is Mark Arbib, who was appointed on 14 September 2010, following the Labor Party's win at the 2010 election. The ministry is located within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio.-List of Ministers for Sport:...
and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness.
Personal
Arbib was born in the Sydney suburb of ChippendaleChippendale, New South Wales
Chippendale is a small inner-city suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Chippendale is located on the southern edge of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
. His father, Eric Arbib was of Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
n heritage and spoke Italian, moving to Australia in the 1960s and becoming a property developer. His mother Lola was born in Sydney, and had to raise Mark and his brother after the death of their father when they were young.
He has a Master of Arts in Political Science and Economic History from the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
.
He lives in Sydney with his wife Kelli and two daughters. He is a supporter of the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
NRL club and is a passionate public Ambassador for Australias leading Indigenous non-profit, the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
Early career
While studying, Arbib worked part time at a SizzlerSizzler
Sizzler is a United States-based restaurant chain with headquarters in Culver City, California. The chain serves steak, seafood, and salad , as well as similar items.-History:...
restaurant in Bondi Junction. When there were moves to remove penalty rates, he negotiated on behalf of the part time workers and signed up members to the Liquor Trades Union. Later he worked variously as a metal trades assistant, beach inspector and restaurant cook, but became increasingly involved in the trade union movement. In 1995, he was elected as President of NSW Young Labor after joining the Party in 1992. He served as Assistant General Secretary from 1999 and was the ALP State Organiser between 1996 and 1999.
Career as General Secretary
Arbib was elected General Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch) in June 2004. In 2005, he was elevated to the role of national convener of the party's right wing.In 2007, Arbib was Campaign Director for Morris Iemma
Morris Iemma
Morris Iemma , is a former Australian politician and 40th Premier of New South Wales, succeeding Bob Carr after he resigned on 3 August 2005. Iemma led the Australian Labor Party to victory in the 2007 election before resigning as Premier on 5 September 2008, and as a Member of Parliament on 19...
's successful 2007 state election campaign. Following the 2007 Election victory for the Labor Party, he was credited by former premier Bob Carr
Bob Carr
Robert John "Bob" Carr , Australian statesman, was Premier of New South Wales from 4 April 1995 to 3 August 2005. He holds the record for the longest continuous service as premier of NSW...
as "one of the best campaigners in the business." However the opposition has criticised his role in procuring political donations
Political donations in Australia
The term political donations refers to gifts to a politician, a political party, or an election campaign.In Australia, the majority of political donations come in the form of financial gifts from corporations, which go towards the funding of the parties' election advertising campaigns. Donations...
for the Labor party from business groups.
In January, 2008, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted an organisation which makes political donations
Political donations in Australia
The term political donations refers to gifts to a politician, a political party, or an election campaign.In Australia, the majority of political donations come in the form of financial gifts from corporations, which go towards the funding of the parties' election advertising campaigns. Donations...
to the Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
as saying that Mark Arbib made an art form out of extracting political donations from businesses. Said the donor: "There's no doubt Arbib wrote the book in terms of both political donations ... and their importance ... It's fine to take the higher ground and say 'we won't make donations' ... but if you don't you have got zero chance of getting (to see them)." Arbib denied the allegations. Arbib was named in the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
television program Four Corners in relation to political donations to the NSW Labor Party.
Federal politics
Arbib was preselected for the number one position of Labor's New South Wales Senate ticket and won a seat at the 2007 federal election.From 1 July 2008 to 30 March 2009, Arbib served on the Senate Committees
Australian Senate committees
This article is about committees of the Senate. For consideration of bills 'in committee', see Committee of the WholeThe committees of the Australian Senate are committees of Senators, established by the Australian Senate, for purposes determined by that body...
for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Corporations and Financial Services, and Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. He was also the Co Convenor of a bipartisan parliamentary group: Parliamentarians Against Child Abuse and Neglect (PACAN) and is an Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.
Arbib is a member of the ALP National Executive
Australian Labor Party National Executive
The National Executive is the highest elected body of the Australian Labor Party, one of the major political parties in Australia. The Executive is elected by the party's National Conference, held every three years, and represents the party's state and territory branches. Many of its members are...
(from 2004) and a member of the ALP National Executive Committee (from 2007). In February 2009, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Government Service Delivery. In the June 2009 reshuffle, he was promoted to Employment Participation Minister and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service Delivery. On 24 June 2010 he was one of the main players in the downfall of Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, then in his first term as Prime Minister. Arbib used his power as leader of the NSW right faction to shore up numbers to depose Rudd in favour of Julia Gillard
Julia Gillard
Julia Eileen Gillard is the 27th and current Prime Minister of Australia, in office since June 2010.Gillard was born in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales and migrated with her family to Adelaide, Australia in 1966, attending Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School. In 1982 Gillard moved...
.
In August 2010 Arbib stood down from the ALP National Executive to concentrate on his portfolio duties. In November 2010 Arbib was the first Federal Labor Party front bencher to support same-sex marriage.
International work
The United States diplomatic cables leaksContents of the United States diplomatic cables leak
This is a list of notable content from the United States diplomatic cables leak that shows the United States' opinion of related affairs. Beginning on 28 November 2010, WikiLeaks had been publishing classified documents of detailed correspondence—diplomatic cables—between the United...
revealed that Mark Arbib was in regular contact with and acted as a 'protected' source and confidential contact for the US government, providing inside information and commentary on the workings of the government and the Labor Party to officers at the US embassy in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.