Julia Gillard

Member for Lalor

Julia was sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia on 24 June 2010.

Born in Barry, Wales in 1961, she is the daughter of a nurse and aged care worker. Julia's family migrated to Australia in 1966 and she grew up in Adelaide. She became an Australian citizen in 1974 along with the rest of her family, and renounced her British citizenship before entering Parliament.

Julia was educated at Mitcham Demonstration School and Unley High School in South Australia, before studying Arts and Law degrees at the University of Adelaide. In 1983 she moved to Melbourne to complete her degree at Melbourne University. Later that year, she was elected President of the Australian Union of Students.

After graduating, Julia began work as a solicitor in Melbourne with the law firm Slater and Gordon and became a partner in 1990. Her work at the firm focused on employment law.

She worked on securing fairer treatment for workers and fought for clothing trades outworkers who had been underpaid.

"I am determined to get the big things done ... to be stronger, fairer and smarter to ensure we are another generation that creates a better future for all our children."

Julia first contested the federal seat of Lalor for the Australian Labor Party in 1998 and was elected that year.

In 2001 she became Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration and subsequently took on responsibilities for Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs in 2003.

From 2003 to 2006 Julia served as Shadow Minister for Health. On 4 December 2006 Julia was elected Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party and served as Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Social Inclusion.

Following Labor's victory at the 2007 Federal Election, Julia was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion.

Julia follows the Western Bulldogs in the AFL and lives at The Lodge in Canberra with her partner, Tim.