Simon Birmingham
Encyclopedia
Simon John Birmingham is an Australian politician and Liberal Party
member of the Australian Senate
since 2007, representing South Australia.
before moving to Gawler River on Adelaide's northern fringe with his parents. He was educated at Westbourne Park Primary School, Angle Vale Primary School and Gawler High School
.
Birmingham was named South Australia's Lions Club Youth of the Year in 1992 and awarded the Town of Gawler's Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award in 1993.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Adelaide Graduate School of Business, University of Adelaide
. He is married to Courtney Morcombe, a qualified chartered accountant and lawyer. They have a daughter.
He began his career working as an electorate officer for Senator Robert Hill, during which time Senator Hill was leader of the opposition in the Senate and then leader of the government in the Senate and minister for the environment, following the 1996 election of the Howard Government
.
In 1997 Birmingham moved from federal to state politics, working as a ministerial advisor to Joan Hall
in her capacity as South Australia's minister for employment and youth and, subsequently, minister for tourism.
Early in 2000 Birmingham moved to Canberra
to become the national manager of public affairs for the Australian Hotels Association
.
In late 2001, Birmingham was appointed chief of staff to the South Australian state minister for tourism and innovation, and future state Liberal leader, Martin Hamilton-Smith
.
Following a change of government in 2002, Birmingham began work with the Winemakers' Federation of Australia where he remained until his appointment to the Senate in 2007.
at the 2004 federal election following the retirement of sitting member Christine Gallus
. The seat was narrowly won by the ALP
's Steve Georganas
.
After an unsuccessful attempt to fill the vacancy created by Robert Hill's retirement from the Senate in 2006, Birmingham won Liberal Party preselection as a Senate candidate in 2007 and was elected for a six-year term. However, he entered the Senate earlier, being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Jeannie Ferris
. At the time of his appointment on 3 May 2007, Birmingham was the youngest member of the Australian Senate. He is identified with the moderate wing of the Liberal Party.
Birmingham served on Senate Environment, Communications, and Arts Committees from May 2007 to February 2010 as well as the Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network. He is also a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (from 2007), the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (from 2008). He is also deputy chair of the Parliamentary Association for UNICEF.
Birmingham has a keen interest in water issues including the health and future of the Murray Darling Basin, and in December 2008 introduced a Private Member’s Bill, The Water Amendment (Saving the Goulburn and Murray Rivers) Bill 2008.
In December 2009 Birmingham was appointed to the Coalition Frontbench as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action.
After the 2010 election he was re-appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin and appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. He also represents the Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband, Hon Malcolm Turnbull
MP, in the Senate.
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
member of the Australian Senate
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 2007, representing South Australia.
Early life and career
Birmingham spent many of his early years living with his grandmother in the Adelaide suburb of Cumberland ParkCumberland Park, South Australia
Cumberland Park is an inner southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia in the City of Mitcham.The suburb's borders are Cross Road, Goodwood Road, Edward Street and Winston Avenue....
before moving to Gawler River on Adelaide's northern fringe with his parents. He was educated at Westbourne Park Primary School, Angle Vale Primary School and Gawler High School
Gawler High School
Gawler High School is a secondary public school located in Evanston, South Australia. The school was founded in 1907 , making it the oldest school in the area. The current principal is Mr. Greg Harvey who succeeded Sandra Lowery, who left the school at the end of the 2007 school year, ending her 15...
.
Birmingham was named South Australia's Lions Club Youth of the Year in 1992 and awarded the Town of Gawler's Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year Award in 1993.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Adelaide Graduate School of Business, University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
. He is married to Courtney Morcombe, a qualified chartered accountant and lawyer. They have a daughter.
He began his career working as an electorate officer for Senator Robert Hill, during which time Senator Hill was leader of the opposition in the Senate and then leader of the government in the Senate and minister for the environment, following the 1996 election of the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
.
In 1997 Birmingham moved from federal to state politics, working as a ministerial advisor to Joan Hall
Joan Hall
Joan Lynette Hall is a former member of the South Australian House of Assembly, serving in the electoral district of Coles from 1993 to 2002 and the renamed electoral district of Morialta from 2002 to 2006....
in her capacity as South Australia's minister for employment and youth and, subsequently, minister for tourism.
Early in 2000 Birmingham moved to 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...
to become the national manager of public affairs for the Australian Hotels Association
Australian Hotels Association
The Australian Hotels Association is an employer advocacy and lobby group representing hoteliers around Australia.The AHA was established in 1839, and is an organisation of employers registered under Commonwealth Industrial Relations law and respective State Laws...
.
In late 2001, Birmingham was appointed chief of staff to the South Australian state minister for tourism and innovation, and future state Liberal leader, Martin Hamilton-Smith
Martin Hamilton-Smith
Martin Leslie James Hamilton-Smith is the member for the electoral district of Waite in the South Australian House of Assembly since 1997...
.
Following a change of government in 2002, Birmingham began work with the Winemakers' Federation of Australia where he remained until his appointment to the Senate in 2007.
Political career
At the age of 29, Birmingham won Liberal Party preselection for the marginal seat of HindmarshDivision of Hindmarsh
The Division of Hindmarsh is an Australian Electoral Division in South Australia covering the western gulfside suburbs of Adelaide.The division was created in 1903 and is named for Sir John Hindmarsh, who was Governor of South Australia 1836-38. For many years it was one of the safest Labor seats...
at the 2004 federal election following the retirement of sitting member Christine Gallus
Christine Gallus
Christine Ann Gallus , Australian politician, was a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1990, representing the Division of Hawker, South Australia 1990-93 and for Hindmarsh, South Australia 1993-2004...
. The seat was narrowly won by the ALP
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...
's Steve Georganas
Steve Georganas
Steven "Steve" Georganas , Australian politician, is the Australian Labor Party representative for the House of Representatives seat of Hindmarsh in South Australia since the 2004 federal election....
.
After an unsuccessful attempt to fill the vacancy created by Robert Hill's retirement from the Senate in 2006, Birmingham won Liberal Party preselection as a Senate candidate in 2007 and was elected for a six-year term. However, he entered the Senate earlier, being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Jeannie Ferris
Jeannie Ferris
Jeannie Margaret Ferris was an Australian politician, lobbyist, journalist, and Liberal Senator for South Australia. She was educated at Monash University, where she graduated in agricultural economics....
. At the time of his appointment on 3 May 2007, Birmingham was the youngest member of the Australian Senate. He is identified with the moderate wing of the Liberal Party.
Birmingham served on Senate Environment, Communications, and Arts Committees from May 2007 to February 2010 as well as the Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network. He is also a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (from 2007), the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (from 2008). He is also deputy chair of the Parliamentary Association for UNICEF.
Birmingham has a keen interest in water issues including the health and future of the Murray Darling Basin, and in December 2008 introduced a Private Member’s Bill, The Water Amendment (Saving the Goulburn and Murray Rivers) Bill 2008.
In December 2009 Birmingham was appointed to the Coalition Frontbench as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action.
After the 2010 election he was re-appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin and appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. He also represents the Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband, Hon Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2004, and was Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009.Turnbull has represented the Division...
MP, in the Senate.