About the Minister

Welcome

Home Affairs is a challenging portfolio, which together with Justice, and Privacy and Freedom of Information, covers a broad range of issues. These include law and justice matters, privacy, border protection, and counter-terrorism policy and operations. I hope you find this website a valuable way to keep up with developments in these diverse portfolios.

On the site you will find information relating to the portfolios of Home Affairs, Justice, and Privacy and Freedom of Information. This includes links to media releases, speeches, statements and transcripts of interviews to keep you informed.

As we implement the Gillard Government's agenda on social inclusion, access to justice and strong national security, we know how important it is to communicate with you about the work we are doing.

Thank you for your interest.

Biography

Brendan O'Connor is the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Justice and Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information. He is the Member for an electorate in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Education

Diploma, Harvard Trade Union Program – Harvard University
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws – Monash University

Work

Assistant National Secretary, Australian Services Union (1993 until 2001)

Ministerial Appointments

Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information (from 14 September 2010)
Minister for Justice (from 14 September 2010)
Minister for Home Affairs (from 9 June 2009
Minister for Employment Participation (3 December 2007 to 9 June2009)
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Industrial Relations (5 December 2006 to 24 November 2007)

Parliamentary Committee positions

House of Representatives Standing:

Employment and Workplace Relations (16 February 2004 to 31 August 2004)
Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation, Deputy Chair (2 December 2004 to 17 October 2007);
Library (2 December 2004 to 17 October 2007)

Joint Statutory:

Public Works, Deputy Chair (20 March 2002 to 17 October 2007)
Brendan O'Connor was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2001.
On 9 June 2009, Mr O'Connor was appointed as Minister for Home Affairs in the Labor Government.
On 14 September 2010, Mr O’Connor was appointed as Minister for Justice and Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information, in addition to his Home Affairs portfolio.
Mr O'Connor holds a BA and a LLB from Monash University, and a Harvard Trade Union Program Diploma from Harvard University.
Before entering Parliament, Mr O'Connor was a Union official, most recently Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Services Union.
Prior to his appointment as Home Affairs Minister, Mr O'Connor was Minister for Employment Participation. Mr O'Connor has also served as Deputy Chair of the Public Works Committee and the Deputy Chair of the Employment and Workplace Participation Committee.
Mr O'Connor also chaired the ALP's WorkChoices Parliamentary Taskforce charged with role of highlighting the inequities and deficiencies of the WorkChoices legislation.