Gail Gago

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Hon. Gail Gago

The Honourable Gail Gago MLC is an Australian politician, and an Australian Labor Party member of the South Australian Legislative Council since being elected in 2002.

Gago is currently the South Australian Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health, and Member of the Executive Council. Gail was born in Mooroopna, Victoria and completed her secondary education at Shepparton High School. After high school, Gail studied at Philip Institute of Technology and the Austin Hospital where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. Later completing a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) at Monash University majoring in Psychology.

Gail and her husband Peter moved to South Australia in 1987 where she worked as a nurse at Salisbury Private Hospital for two years. In 1988 Gail commenced working with the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) for 12 years first as an Organiser and later becoming both Assistant Secretary and Branch Secretary.

As an active member of the ANF, Gail was part of many campaigns to improve patient care, access to health services, wages and conditions for workers. She has participated in and contributed to a wide range of State and Federal health and industrial relations forums.

Following a long career in the health sector and as a nurse in particular, Gail learned the importance of a community-wide response to meeting health care needs.

Gail has been a member of the SA Branch of the ALP since 1991 where she has contributed to a number of policy committees and played an active role as State Convention delegate (proxy), State Executive member and National Conference attendee.

Gail was first elected to Parliament on 9 February 2002 as a member of the Legislative Council and was a member of two Parliamentary Standing Committees; the Environment, Resources and Development Committee and the Social Development Committee (Chair). Gail also served as a member of several Select Committees including; Mount Gambier District Health Service, Assessment and Treatment Services for People with Mental Health Disorders and most recently the Local Government (Lochiel Park Lands) Amendment Bill 2005.

Following the second term election of the Rann Labor Government in March 2006, Gail was appointed Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health.

Gail is married to Peter Gago, an Australian winemaker and author, and the current custodian of Penfolds Grange, a famous Australian wine.