Michaelia Cash

Senator The Honourable
Michaelia Cash
Cash at the Welcome Reception for the Ambassador for Women and Girls, March 2014
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Preceded by Kate Lundy
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 September 2013
Prime Minister Tony Abbott
Preceded by Julie Collins
Senator for Western Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 July 2008
Preceded by Ross Lightfoot
Personal details
Born Michaelia Clare Cash
19 July 1970
Subiaco, Western Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) Richard Price
Parents The Hon George Cash AM
Alma mater Curtin University;
University of London;
University of Western Australia
Profession Lawyer; Politician

Michaelia Clare Cash (born 19 July 1970) is an Australian politician. She is the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women having held both portfolios since the swearing in of the Abbott Government on 18 September 2013.[1][2]

Cash has been a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian Senate since July 2008, representing the state of Western Australia.

Cash holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London, and was a senior associate at the law firm Freehills, from 1999 to 2008.

Background and early career

Cash was born in the Perth suburb of Subiaco in Western Australia. She was educated at Iona Presentation College in Mosman Park.

In 1990 she graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Arts with a triple major in public relations, politics, and journalism. She also holds an Honours Degree in Law from the University of London and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Western Australia (1998).

Cash is a long-standing member of the Liberal Party of WA. She was an executive member of the Curtin University Young Liberals from 1988 to 1990 and then the Western Australian Young Liberal Movement, where she held numerous positions including State Vice-President.

She was a long time member of the Liberal Party of Western Australia’s State Council and was the President of the Moore Division. She has also served on the Party's state executive.

Before commencing as a Senator for Western Australia, Cash was a Senior Associate with the law firm Freehills, where she worked from 1999 to 2008. She practised in all areas of employment and industrial law including industrial relations, employee relations, occupational health and safety, equal opportunity, executive employment and unfair dismissal.

Political career

Cash won preselection for the Liberal Party Senate ticket in 2007 and went on to be elected to the Federal Parliament at the 2007 federal election. She contested the election as the number three candidate of the Liberal Senate ticket in Western Australia.

Since entering Federal Parliament Cash has served on many Senate Committees.

Cash was also a Temporary Chair of Committees from 2.2.10 to 28.9.10.

In September 2010, while in opposition, Cash was promoted to the positions of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women and the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration. At this time Cash was also appointed Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

After the election of the Abbott Coalition Government in September 2013, Cash was sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, as well as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women.

Personal

Cash is married to Richard Price, a barrister and the brother of late political journalist Matt Price. She is the daughter of former Western Australian state MP, Minister and President of the Legislative Council, the Hon George Cash AM.

References

  1. ↑ "Tony Abbott's cabinet and outer ministry". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Abbott Ministry" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.

External links

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Ross Lightfoot		 Senator for Western Australia
2008–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Julie Collins
as Minister for the Status of Women		 Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women
2013–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Jason Clare
as Minister for Home Affairs		 Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection
2013–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Kate Lundy
as Minister for Multicultural Affairs