Bronwyn Pike
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| Bronwyn Pike | |
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Victorian Minister for Education
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2007 |
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| Preceded by | John Lenders |
| Constituency | Melbourne |
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| Born | January 25, 1956 South Australia, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Profession | Teacher |
Bronwyn Pike (born January 25, 1956)[1] is an Australian politician and current Minister for Education in Victoria in the Brumby Government, and is the State Member of Parliament for Melbourne.
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[edit] Occupations Before Parliament
Prior to entering Parliament, Bronwyn worked as a teacher, a community services manager and as the Director of the Unit of Justice and Social Responsibility in the Uniting Church. She is also a former Board Director of Greenpeace Australia. Bronwyn has a long history of advocating for social change, equality and the disadvantaged.
Bronwyn has stated that a child’s learning starts in early childhood and that we must establish the foundations for life long learning, so that people have the capacity to participate in and contribute to society throughout their lives.
[edit] Early Political Career
Bronwyn entered politics in 1999, at age 43, where she was the Minister for Housing and Aged Care and Minister Assisting the Health Minister. In 2002 she was appointed as Minister for Community Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on Community Building.
[edit] Minister for Health
Following the re-election of the Bracks Government in late 2002, Bronwyn was promoted to Minister for Health.
As Minister for Health, Bronwyn has overseen the rebuilding of Victoria's public health system, delivering an 96% funding increase for public hospitals, as well as the employment of more than 7,200 additional nurses and 1,500 additional doctors in the public health system.
[edit] Minister for Education
On 2 August 2007, newly appointed Premier John Brumby announced a cabinet reshuffle, as a result of this Bronwyn was moved from the health portfolio and took on Education.
As Minister for Education since 3 August 2007, Ms Pike is spearheading the $1.9 billion Victorian Schools Plan to rebuild and modernise 500 Victorian schools over the four year term of government. This includes upgrades to technology wings; re-equipping science class rooms; building new schools in growth corridors. A key focus of this rebuilding program is encouraging joint-use of school and community facilities in areas ranging from libraries to sports fields. By 2011 more than 900 schools will have been rebuilt or modernised.
[edit] Longest Serving Victoria Female Minister
In May 2007, Bronwyn became the longest serving female minister in Victoria's history, a milestone shared with Lynne Kosky.
[edit] Notes
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| Preceded by John Thwaites |
Victorian Minister for Health 2002-2007 |
Succeeded by Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by John Lenders |
Victorian Minister for Education 2007 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
