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Julia Gillard MP at the Talkback Classroom forum. Photo: Dean McNicoll.
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Julia was born in Wales and emigrated to Australia with her family in 1966. She spent her childhood and adolescence in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne for both her studies and student politics. In 1983 she was president of the Australian Union of Students. Julia successfully completed her LLB/BA with an Economics major.
She began working with Slater and Gordon in Melbourne in 1987 as an industrial lawyer and was admitted as a partner in 1990.
In 1996 Julia became chief of staff to John Brumby, the then Victorian Opposition Leader.
Julia has held various positions within the Victorian branch of the ALP and was elected as the Member for Lalor in 1998.
Throughout her parliamentary career Julia has actively participated in international exchanges. These include:
- election observer in the 1999 Indonesian Elections
- delegation leader for Australian Political Exchange Council visit to China in 2000
- delegation member for Australian Political Exchange Council visit to New Zealand in 2001
- parliamentary study tour of United Kingdom in 2001
- parliamentary study tour of France, United Kingdom and Canada in 2005.
Julia has had a meteoric rise in the Federal Parliament commencing with her participation in Joint Parliamentary and Caucus Committees. Following the 2001 election, Julia was appointed Shadow Minister for Population and Immigration.
In February 2003, she added Shadow Minister for Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs to her responsibilities.
In July 2003, Julia became Labor's Shadow Minister for Health.
Julia was appointed Manager of Opposition Business in December 2003, having served as Deputy Manager from June 2003.
After her re-election in 2004, Julia was re-instated as Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business.
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