Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard was prime minister of Australia and leader of the Labor party from 2010 to 2013. She is currently Chair of the Board of the Global Partnership for Education, which mobilizes global and national efforts to achieve quality education for all.

During her tenure as Prime Minister, she delivered nation-changing policies including reforming Australia’s education at every level from early childhood to university education, improving the provision and sustainability of health care, aged care and dental care, commencing the nation’s first ever national scheme to care for people with disabilities. Before becoming Prime Minister, Ms. Gillard was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion. From 2003 to 2006, Ms. Gillard served as Shadow Minister for Health, followed in 2006 by an appointment as Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Social Inclusion.

Previously, from 1998 to 2000, Ms. Gillard was a member of the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations. In 2001 Ms. Gillard was appointed Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration and in 2003 took on responsibilities for Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs. From 1996 to 1998, Ms. Gillard served as Chief-of-Staff to the Opposition Leader of the State of Victoria. Prior to entering politics, Ms. Gillard worked as a solicitor in Melbourne with the law firm Slater and Gordon and became a Partner in 1990. Ms. Gillard retired from political life following the 2013 Australian national election.