Kim Beazley

Federal Labor Leader: 1996-2001, and 2004-2006.

Biography

Kim was born in Perth in 1948. His father was a Federal Parliamentarian for more than 30 years representing the electorate of Fremantle, and was Minister for Education in the Whitlam Government. Kim was educated at Claremont Primary School, Hollywood Senior High School (Perth), the University of Western Australia, and Oxford University. He has Masters degrees in Arts and Philosophy, and is a former lecturer in social and political theory at Murdoch University, Western Australia.

In March 1996, Kim became Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Federal Labor Party. In the October 1998 Federal election he led the Labor Party to a record result for a first term Opposition - gaining 19 seats and drastically reducing the Howard Government's majority in the House of Representatives. He has served in the Federal Parliament since 1980, when he won the Perth metropolitan seat of Swan, moving to the seat of Brand in 1996.

His ministerial career began in 1983 in the first Hawke Government, when he became Minister for Aviation and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence. He was the youngest member of the ministry at the time of his appointments. On 13 December 1984, Kim Beazley became the youngest ever-Australian Defence Minister, and the sixth Western Australian to hold the position. He also served as Special Minister of State from 14 July 1983 until 21 January 1984. On 15 February 1988, Kim Beazley was appointed government leader in the House of Representatives and vice-president of the Executive Council. In April 1990, Kim was appointed Minister for Transport and Communications. He served as Finance Minister from 9-27 December 1991, before becoming Minister for Employment, Education and Training. He was re-appointed to the Finance portfolio in December 1993.

On 20 June 1995, the Federal Labor Caucus elected Kim Beazley Deputy Prime Minister, a position he held until the election on 2 March 1996.

Following the 2001 election Kim resigned as Leader of the Opposition on 22 November, 2001. Kim was also Shadow Minister for Defence before the 2004 Election.

The Federal Labor Caucus elected Kim Beazley Federal Labor leader unopposed on 28 January 2005.

On December 4 2006, the Federal Labor Caucus met for a leadership ballot, at which Kim Beazley was defeated by Kevin Rudd.

Kim is married to Susie Annus, and has three daughters - Jessica, Hannah and Rachel.