Factbox: Who is Julia Gillard

29 Jun 2010, 9:20 am   -   Source: SBS - Shalailah Medhora
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Julia Gillard, a former lawyer and long-standing member of Lalor in Victoria, is Australia's first woman Prime Minister, and the second leader born outside of Australia.

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Julia Gillard, a former lawyer and long-standing member of Lalor in Victoria, has been Deputy leader of the ALP since 2006.

Ms Gillard was born in Barry, Wales, on 29 September, 1961. Her family emigrated to Adelaide in 1966. Ms Gillard is the second foreign-born Prime Minister of Australia, after William "Billy" Hughes, who took office for the first time in 1915. Incidentally enough, Mr Hughes was also of Welsh descent.

In 1983, Ms Gillard became only the second woman ever to lead the Australian Union of Students.

Before entering politics, the MP was an industrial law solicitor.

She ran for, and was elected in, the Victorian seat of Lalor in 1998.

Shortly after her election, Ms Gillard was handed the portfolio of Immigration and Population in the Simon Crean-led Shadow Ministry. 2003 saw her leave that role to take on first Indigenous Affairs, then health.

Prior to the 2007 federal election, the Member for Lalor took on the Employment and Industrial Affairs portfolios, both of which she retained in Government until becoming PM, as well as the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

Ms Gillard is the first woman to take on the role of Acting Prime Minister when Kevin Rudd went overseas shortly after defeating John Howard in the 2007 federal election.

Among her many accolades, one that may surprise supporters: just months after taking office, men's magazine Ralph voted Ms Gillard the second sexiest woman at its annual awards night. 

Ms Gillard and partner Tim Mathieson are not married, and have no children, prompting Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan to decry in 2007 that she was not fit for office because she was "deliberately barren". 

Commentators have criticised Ms Gillard and Mr Mathieson for living together without being married, with some saying she's "not representative" of the average Australian woman, and others claiming she's not setting a good example for the population.

The new PM has also been criticised for making an affirmation rather than taking an oath on the Bible when she was sworn in to her new role by Governor-General Quentin Bryce. Ms Gillard was born a Baptist, but says she is not religious.

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julia

hayden - from theodore, 2 years ago

i julia i wish tony could b priminster HOPE U HAV FUN

Petty issues and stereotyping!

blu - from SA, 2 years ago

I believe that the "country where you were born issue" is a very petty quarrel of those uneducated and closed minded people. what is the connection of that and being "deliberately barren" to do with the position as a prime minister of australia? It shall never be an issue, maybe those people were just jealous. and look and listen carefully to the debate, julia gillard can speak well and better then tony abott without thinking twice, and you can see the sincerity on her face. (beauty set aside)

" Have nothing to do with her "

sam - from sydney, 2 years ago

Ms Gillard if i didnt believe in Gravity and jumped of a bridge does that mean it doesn't exisit? Look around you and try to hold your breath for 10 mins ! " People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud,abusive,disobedient,ungrateful,unholy,without love,uncaring,unforgiving,brutal,lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..having a form of Godliness but denying it's power.." Have nothing to do with them " The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal Life.

Was a fan of JG, but now.....?

Gus - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

I'm legitimately happy that an atheist can become prime minister, its also a good sign of the times that shes a woman, she is ethically questionable with the Rudd Situation but when all is said and done, her policies are what is important, and watching back down on the Mining tax for my part, is a bad sign that private enterprise can bully a week elected government (not prime minister) in this country.

Not Representative of Australian Women?

Evelyn - from Canberra, 2 years ago

I dare say Ms Gillard is more representative of Australian women than Mr Abbott. Not setting a good example for the Australian population? What rubbish. Who should determine what example is to be set? I certainly don't want anyone telling me that I have to be married and bear children to be considered a legitimate 'woman'. People have been heralding the fall of the 'family unit' for a long time. Relationships may have changed but that isn't necessarily a bad thing! Open your mind Australia.

Her Religious Beliefs

Bevan - from QLD, 2 years ago

I will not be voting for her because she holds to the Atheistic faith. Don't be fooled, it is a hot contested religion.

Personal history, or personal ethics?

Tim - from Brissy, 2 years ago

I care less about the history of her upbringing, and more about her personal ethics. What can we expect from a Lawyer come Politition, not much. I am acutely aware that right up to the night before the vote againt Rudd, she was swearing allegiance to him. Shorten also said she spent considerable time weighing up the decision, couldn't have been too long, 12 Hrs later we had a new PM. I think we will soon discover a chameleon who will shift to suit her and her backers needs.

Singles are the fastest growing demographic

Emerald - from LEnnox Head, 2 years ago

Single people are a growing Australian demographic. No party/politician represents them. I'm for families & a fair go for singles who contribute much to raising other's children (eg education, baby bonuses, family welfare, subsidised school buses, volunteering.) Single people are less likely to depend upon welfare & are often self funded retirees. Many singles look after themselves, give, but often don't receive. Remember singles & self funded retirees Julia. Give us tax breaks. We're growing.

Julia Gillard

Dorothy - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

we non Australian born Australians " to coin a phrase "can be happy that we can be now accepted as patriotic as our Prime Minister , tho we are identified with the country of birth and our validity and credibility is questioned and our views sidelined at times. She is not afraid to project and take pride in the land of her birth and be truly Australian ,, lets hope for a change of attitude in the Australian born who think they are more Australian while even edging out the Early Australian

Who elected Kevin Rudd?

Michael - from Damascus, 2 years ago

Why do Australians think that we elect a Prime Minister? Maybe one of the first things Julia needs to do is a public education program about the Westminster system of parliament....

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