Senator Kerry O'Brien | |
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Senator for Tasmania | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 15 September 1996 |
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Personal details | |
Born | 19 July 1951 Sydney, New South Wales |
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Australian Labor Party |
Alma mater | University of Sydney University of New South Wales |
Occupation | Trade union official |
Website | Parliament of Australia - Biography |
Kerry Williams Kelso O'Brien (born 19 July 1951), is an Australian politician. O'Brien has been a member of the Australian Senate for the state of Tasmania since September 1996, representing the Australian Labor Party.[1]
O'Brien was born in Sydney. He was a research officer and elected official with the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1974-92, and Tasmanian Branch Secretary of the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1992-96.[2]
O'Brien was an Opposition Whip in the Senate 1998-2001, and has been a member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry since November 2001. He was Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Shadow Minister for Resources 2001-03, Shadow Minister for Reconciliation and Indigenous Affairs and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Regional Services and Territories 2003-04, and Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Territories 2004-05. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Transport in June 2005.
He currently holds the position of Chief Government Whip in the Senate.[3]
On 9 April 2010, he lost Labor preselection for the Australian federal election, 2010.[4]