Biography for BIRD, the Hon. Sharon LeahMember for Cunningham (NSW)
Australian Labor Party
Parliamentary Service
Elected to the House of Representatives for Cunningham, New South Wales, 2004, 2007 and 2010.
Parliamentary Positions
Member, Speaker's Panel from 18.2.08 to 13.3.12.
Ministerial Appointments
Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and Skills from 5.3.12 to 25.3.13.
Minister for Higher Education and Skills from 25.3.13.
Committee Service
House of Representatives Standing: Education and Vocational Training from 2.12.04 to 17.10.07; Education and Training from 19.2.08 (Chair from 13.3.08) to 19.7.10; Transport and Regional Services from 2.12.04 to 17.10.07; Economics, Finance and Public Administration from 7.2.07 (Chair from 1.3.07) to 17.10.07; Employment and Workplace Relations from 19.2.08 to 19.7.10; Procedure from 19.2.08 to 14.3.12; Infrastructure and Communications from 25.10.10 (Chair from 27.10.10) to 14.3.12.
Joint Standing: Treaties from 25.10.10 to 14.3.12.
Conferences, Delegations and Visits
Member, Parliamentary Delegation to USA, September-October 2009.
Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand, July 2007.
Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore, August 2008.
Party Positions
Various ALP local executive branch positions from 1992.
Member, ALP Administrative Committee (NSW) 1998-99.
Personal
Born 15.11.1962, Wollongong, NSW.
Divorced.
Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal Parliament
BA (Syd), DipEd (Wollongong).
High school teacher 1985-89.
TAFE teacher 1989-95.
Electorate officer to C Hollis, MP 1995-97.
Senior Project Officer, Dept of Juvenile Justice (NSW) 1997-2004.
Local Government Service
Councillor, Shellharbour City Council 1991-95.
Publications
Getting started in business English (with L Runko), Melbourne: Pitman, 1994.
Electorate
Description: provincial.
Location: Wollongong and south coast of New South Wales; it includes the city of Wollongong and the surrounding suburbs of Austinmer, Balgownie, Bellambi, Bulli, Bundeena, Clifton, Coalcliff, Coledale, Coniston, Cordeaux Heights, Corrimal, Darkes Forest, Fairy Meadow, Figtree, Gwynneville, Heathcote, Helensburgh, Keiraville, Maianbar, Mangerton, Mount Keira, Mount Kembla, Mount Ousley, Mount Saint Thomas, Otford, Russell Vale, Scarborough, Stanwell Park, Tarrawanna, Thirroul, Towradgi, Waterfall, Wombarra, Woonona and parts of Unanderra.
Area: 721 sq km (approx.).
Electors enrolled: 100 698 (at 21.8.10).
Industries: tourism, tertiary education, steel production, coal mining, brick manufacturing and textiles.
State electorates: Cunningham includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Keira, and parts of Heathcote and Wollongong.