Biography for BOWEN, the Hon. Christopher EylesMember for McMahon (NSW)
Australian Labor Party
Parliamentary Service
Elected to the House of Representatives for Prospect, New South Wales, 2004 and 2007.
Re-elected following the 2009 electoral redistribution for McMahon, New South Wales 2010.
Ministerial Appointments
Assistant Treasurer from 3.12.07 to 9.6.09.
Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs from 3.12.07 to 9.6.09.
Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law from 9.6.09 to 14.9.10.
Minister for Human Services from 9.6.09 to 14.9.10.
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship from 14.9.10 to 4.2.13.
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research from 4.2.13 to 25.3.13.
Minister for Small Business from 4.2.13 to 25.3.13.
Committee Service
House of Representatives Standing: Economics, Finance and Public Administration from 2.12.04 to 7.12.05; Economics from 14.5.13; Education and Employment from 14.5.13.
Joint Statutory: Corporations and Financial Services from 2.12.04 to 17.10.07.
Conferences, Delegations and Visits
Official visits to USA, January 2008; New Zealand, May 2008; Belgium and France, October 2008; USA and UK, November 2009; Hong Kong, January 2010; Malaysia, May 2010; USA, July 2010; Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Malaysia, October 2010; Malaysia and Switzerland, December 2010; Indonesia, March 2011; Malaysia, April 2011 and July 2011; Switzerland, December 2011; India and Sri Lanka, April-May 2012.
Parliamentary Party Positions
Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 10.12.06 to 3.12.07. Shadow Assistant Treasurer from 10.12.06 to 3.12.07; Shadow Minister for Revenue and Competition Policy from 10.12.06 to 3.12.07.
Party Positions
Member, ALP from 1988.
Secretary, ALP Smithfield Branch 1991-2005.
President, ALP Fairfield State Electorate Council 1992-2005.
ALP Assistant General Returning Officer (NSW) 1993-2004.
Personal
Born 17.1.1973, Sydney, NSW.
Married.
Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal Parliament
BEc (Syd).
Research and media officer to the Hon JA Crosio, MP 1994-95.
Industrial officer, Finance Sector Union 1995-2000.
Senior adviser to the Hon. PC Scully, MLA (NSW) 2000-01; Chief of Staff 2001-04.
Local Government Service
Councillor, Fairfield City Council 1995-2004.
Mayor, Fairfield City Council 1998-99.
President, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils 1999-2001.
Electorate
Description: outer metropolitan.
Location: western Sydney; it includes the suburbs of Abbotsbury, Blacktown, Bossley Park, Canley Vale, Cecil Park, Eastern Creek, Edensor Park, Erskine Park, Fairfield, Fairfield Heights, Fairfield West, Greenfield Park, Greystanes, Horsley Park, Kemps Creek, Merrylands, Merrylands West, Mount Vernon, Orchard Hills, Pemulwuy, Prairiewood, Prospect, Smithfield, South Wentworthville, St Clair and Wetherill Park.
Area: 161 sq km (approx.).
Electors enrolled: 96 058 (at 21.8.10).
Industries: building and construction, light manufacturing, wholesale and retail, transport industry, agriculture and mixed farming.
State electorates: McMahon includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Fairfield, Granville, Mulgoa, Smithfield and Toongabbie.