Craig Emerson

The Honourable Dr Craig Emerson MP
Member of the Australian Parliament for Rankin
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 October 1998
Preceded by	David Beddall
Minister for Trade
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 September 2010
Preceded by	Stephen Smith
Personal details
Born	15 November 1954 (1954-11-15) (age 57) Baradine, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Religion	Roman Catholic[1]

Craig Anthony Emerson (born 15 November 1954), Australian politician, has represented the House of Representatives seat of Rankin in Queensland for the Australian Labor Party since the 1998 federal election. He is the Minister for Trade in the Second Gillard Ministry.

Early life

Emerson was born in Baradine, New South Wales, and was educated at St Patrick's College, Strathfield, Sydney University and the Australian National University, Canberra, where he gained a doctorate in economics.

Career

In the past Emerson has variously been an economic analyst with the United Nations, an economic adviser to the Minister for Resources and Energy and the Minister for Finance, an Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and economic and environmental adviser to the Prime Minister (Bob Hawke).^{[citation needed]} He became Director-General of the Queensland Department of Environment in 1990.^{[citation needed]} He was Chief Executive Officer of the South East Queensland Transit Authority from 1995–96.^{[citation needed]}

Emerson was appointed Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism from 2001 to 2003, and then Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations and the Public Service from 2001 to 2004.^{[citation needed]} In December 2006 he was appointed Shadow Minister for the Service Economy, Small Business and Independent Contractors.^{[citation needed]}

On 3 December 2007, Emerson was named Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy and Minister assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation in the newly elected Rudd ministry.^[2] In June 2009, he was also appointed Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs.^[3]

On 14 September 2010 Emerson assumed office as the Minister for Trade.^[4]

Personal life

Emerson was in a relationship with fellow MP Julia Gillard in 2002, prior to her rise to the prime ministership. He was previously married and has three children.^[5]

References

1. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (December 26, 2009). "Labor Party and Catholics". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/national/catholics-divided-in-the-house-20091225-lezv.html. Retrieved July 7, 2010. 
2. ^ http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/ministry/ministry3Dec07-25Feb09.htm
3. ^ http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/ministry/ministry9Jun09-14Dec09.htm
4. ^ http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/ministry/ministry.htm
5. ^ Valent, Dani (18 May 2007). "Our Julia". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax). http://www.theage.com.au/news/management/our-julia/2007/05/18/1178995371860.html?page=fullpage. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 

External links

• Official website
• Search or browse Hansard for Craig Emerson at OpenAustralia.org

Political offices
Preceded by Fran Bailey	Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy 2007–2010	Succeeded by Nick Sherry
Preceded by Chris Bowen	Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs 2010	Succeeded by David Bradbury
Preceded by Stephen Smith	Minister for Trade 2010–present	Incumbent
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by David Beddall	Member for Rankin 1998–present	Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Emerson, Craig Anthony
Alternative names
Short description	Australian politician
Date of birth	15 November 1954
Place of birth	Baradine, New South Wales, Australia
Date of death	Living
Place of death