Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

Senator The Honourable
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Assumed office
18 February 2016 (2016-02-18)
Preceded by Steven Ciobo
Senator for New South Wales
Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded by John Tierney
Personal details
Born (1960-05-20) 20 May 1960
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) John Wells
Alma mater Australian National University
Profession Solicitor

Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells (born 20 May 1960) is an Australian politician. She is a Senator for the state of New South Wales representing the Liberal Party since May 2005. Fierravanti-Wells is the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, since February 2016 in the Turnbull Government.[1] She has previously served as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs between September 2015 and February 2016. Fierravanti-Wells was elected to the Senate at the 2004 federal election.

Background and early career

Fierravanti-Wells was born in Wollongong, New South Wales;[2] and both her parents were Italian immigrants.[3] She was educated at the Australian National University, and was a senior government lawyer and ministerial advisor before entering politics. She was a Policy Advisor to Jim Carlton, then Shadow Minister for Policy Co-ordination and Development, between 1990 and 1993, and Senior Private Secretary to John Fahey, then Premier of New South Wales, from 1993 to 1994.

She was a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor between 1994 and 2004.

Political career

Fierravanti-Wells has been a member of the Federal Council of the Liberal Party; is an active member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy; and is on the committee of a new Liberal Party publication, The Conservative. She opposes same-sex marriage and adoption, claiming in a 2012 interview that many LGBT people do not "even intend on staying in a monogamous relationship".[4]

Normally she would have taken her seat on 1 July 2005, however following the resignation of Senator John Tierney in April (his term was due to expire on 30 June), Fierravanti-Wells was appointed to the resulting vacancy, and took her seat on 5 May.

Prior to the 2013 federal election, she was the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing; and was appointed to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Services from September 2013. During the Turnbull cabinet re-shuffle, Fierravanti-Wells was appointed as Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, an outer ministry position.[5]

On 13 February 2016, it was announced that Fierravanti-Wells would be appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony". Events. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  2. ↑ http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=(Id:handbook/allmps/e4t);
  3. ↑ http://www.senatorcfw.com.au/IntheSenate/FirstSpeech.aspx
  4. ↑ McIlwain, Kate (21 September 2012). "Gay couples 'not interested in monogamy'". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Turnbull cabinet reshuffle: who's going where". ABC News. Australia.
  6. ↑ Massola, James (13 February 2016). "Cabinet reshuffle: Malcolm Turnbull announces new frontbench as Mal Brough resigns". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Tierney		 Senator for New South Wales
2005–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Steve Ciobo		 Minister for International Development and the Pacific
2016–present 		Incumbent
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/19/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.