The Hon. Simon Crean
Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government; Former Minister for the Arts; and Former Minister for Education
Biography
The Hon. Simon Crean is a politician whose career has spanned over a quarter century. A graduate in economics and law from Monash University, Mr. Crean began his political career as a trade unionist, becoming General Secretary of he Storeman and Packers Union in 1979. In 1981, Crean became Vice-President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), and in 1985 he was elected the organisation's President. As President, he played a key role in negotiating agreements on wages and other industrial issues with the Labor government of Bob Hawke. In 1990, he left the ACTU to go into politicsIn the 1990 elections Crean was elected to parliament and immediately entered the Hawke cabinet as Minister for Science and Technology. He became Minister for Primary Industries and Energy in 1991, a position which he retained under the next administration of Paul Keating. He became Minister for Employment, Education and Training in 1993.
Following a period in opposition where he held the position of Shadow Treasurer, Crean returned to government during the Kevin Rudd administration as Minister for Trade. When Julia Gillard was announced as Prime Minister Mr. Crean was appointed Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Social Inclusion before being made Minister for the Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.
"People, Partnerships, Problem Solving and Culture"
A Lecture by Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government; Former Minister for the Arts; and Former Minister for Education, The Hon. Simon Crean
