The Honourable
Sue Ellery
MLC
Member of the Legislative Council
of Western Australia
Assumed office
22 May 2001
ConstituencySouth Metropolitan Region
Personal details
Born
Suzanne Mary Ellery

(1962-05-12) 12 May 1962 (age 61)
Perth, Western Australia
Political partyLabor
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia

Suzanne Mary Ellery (born 12 May 1962) is an Australian politician who has been a Labor Party member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia since 2001, representing South Metropolitan Region. She is the current Minister for Finance, Minister for Commerce, and Minister for Women's Interests in the McGowan government, having previously served as a minister in the government of Alan Carpenter from 2007 to 2008.[1]

Early life

Ellery was born in Perth to Rosemarie (née Gellard) and Peter Ellery. She attended Newman College before going on to the University of Western Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She joined the Labor Party while at university, and in 1983 was the national women's officer for the Australian Union of Students. Prior to entering politics, Ellery worked in the trade union movement, including as an industrial advocate for the Liquor, Hospitality, and Miscellaneous Workers' Union.[2]

Politics

Ellery entered parliament at the 2001 state election, as the lead candidate on the Labor Party's ticket in South Metropolitan Region. She was a parliamentary secretary in the government of Geoff Gallop in 2003, and continued on when Alan Carpenter replaced Gallop as premier in January 2006. Ellery was elevated to the ministry in March 2007, becoming Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Women's Interests, and Minister for Seniors and Volunteering. She held her positions until the Labor government's defeat at the 2008 state election. After that election, Ellery continued on as a shadow minister, and was also elected leader of the Labor Party in the Legislative Council.[3] She has been identified as a member of the party's Labor Left faction.[4]

From 2017 to 2022, she was the minister for education and training. In December 2022, she requested a change in ministries during a cabinet reshuffle.[5] She became the minister for finance, minister for commerce, and minister for women's interests.[6][7]

Ellery plans to retire from politics at the 2025 election.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Member List". parliament.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  2. ^ Suzanne (Sue) Mary Ellery – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  3. ^ Hon. Suzanne (Sue) Mary Ellery MLC, Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  4. ^ Paige Taylor, "Labor moribund, says former WA premier Peter Dowding", The Australian, 15 April 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b Zimmerman, Josh (10 December 2022). "Upper House MP Sue Ellery poised to be replaced as Education Minister in McGowan's impending Cabinet reshuffle". The West Australian. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Premier unveils new team with a focus on renewal and experience". Media Statements. 14 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  7. ^ Hastie, Hamish (14 December 2022). "McGowan reveals portfolio appointments after cabinet reshuffle". WAtoday. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
Parliament of Western Australia Political offices Preceded byDavid Templeman Minister for Child Protection 2007–2008 Succeeded byRobyn McSweeney Preceded byDavid Templeman Minister for Community Services 2007–2008 Succeeded byRobyn McSweeney Preceded byMargaret Quirk Minister for Women's Interests 2007–2008 Succeeded byLiz Constable Preceded byDavid Templeman Minister for Seniors and Volunteering 2007–2008 Succeeded byRobyn McSweeney Preceded byPeter Collier Minister for Education and Training 2017–2022 Succeeded byTony Butias the Minister for EducationSimone McGurkas the Minister for Training Preceded byTony Buti Minister for Finance 2022–present Incumbent Preceded byRoger Cook Minister for Commerce 2022–present Incumbent Preceded bySimone McGurk Minister for Women's Interests 2022–present Incumbent
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