Ros Spence
Ros Spence | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Yuroke | |
| Assumed office 29 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Liz Beattie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 December 1970 |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse | Kosmos Samaras |
| Website | www |
Rosalind Louise Spence (born 16 December 1970) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2014, representing the electorate of Yuroke.[1]
Spence has served as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Sport and Youth in the Andrews ministry since March 2020.[2]
Early life and education
Spence was raised in Eltham and graduated from Eltham High School in 1988. She later graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania in 2002.
Prior to her election to Parliament, Spence worked as an electorate officer to various state and federal Members of Parliament, as operations manager for the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party, and as a volunteer solicitor at the Broadmeadows Legal Centre.[3][4]
Political career
From 2008 to 2012, Spence served as a Councillor in the City of Hume, including as Mayor between 2011 and 2012. In 2013, she was selected as the Labor candidate for the seat of Yuroke and was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly at the 2014 Victorian state election.[5] She later re-elected at the 2018 Victorian state election.[6]
Following her election, Spence served as Government Whip and later as Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport and Parliamentary Secretary for Road Infrastructure. She has also served as the Chair of the Electoral Matters Committee.
In March 2020, Spence was elevated to the Andrews ministry following the resignation of Gavin Jennings as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Sport and Youth.[7]
Spence was additionally appointed Minister for Prevention of Family Violence in June 2022.[8]
Personal life
Spence has one son and is married to former Victorian Labor assistant state secretary Kosmos Samaras.[9]
References
- ^ "Yuroke Results". ABC News. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ "Women outnumber men in Victorian cabinet after outgoing minister replaced". The Age. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Member Profile: Ms Ros Spence (Yuroke)". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Ros Spence Joins Cabinet". Premier of Victoria. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ Savino, Natalie (10 January 2014). "Former Hume mayor Ros Spence endorsed as ALP candidate for Yuroke". Hume Leader. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ^ "Yuroke Results 2018". ABC News. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Vic cabinet shuffle after MP's retirement". The Weekly Times. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ^ "Statement On New Ministry". Premier of Victoria. 25 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022.
- ^ "Member Profile: Key Victorian ALP strategist Kosmos Samaras to resign". The Australian. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
External links
- 1970 births
- Living people
- Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Victoria
- Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
- Victoria (Australia) local councillors
- Mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)
- 21st-century Australian politicians
- Women members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
- Women mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)
- Women local councillors in Australia