Christopher James Steel (born 15 May 1986) is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 2016, representing the electorate of Murrumbidgee and currently serves as a Cabinet Minister in the ACT Government. Before his election, Steel was an education advocate working in the early childhood sector.[1]
Chris Steel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Transport and City Services | |
| Assumed office 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | himself across multiple portfolios |
| Minister for Skills | |
| Assumed office 23 March 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | Andrew Barr (as Minister for Tertiary Education |
| Special Minister of State | |
| Assumed office 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Minister for City Services | |
| In office 27 August 2018 – 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | Meegan Fitzharris |
| Succeeded by | himself as Minister for Transport and City Services |
| Minister for Transport | |
| In office 1 July 2019 – 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | Meegan Fitzharris |
| Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction | |
| In office 27 August 2018 – 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | Meegan Fitzharris |
| Minister for Roads and Active Travel | |
| In office 23 March 2020 – 4 November 2020 | |
| Leader | Andrew Barr |
| Preceded by | Meegan Fitzharris |
| Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Murrumbidgee | |
| Assumed office 15 October 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1986 Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse | Kurt Oborne |
| Alma mater | Australian National University |
| Occupation | Education advocate |
| Website | www |
Biography
editSteel was born in Newcastle, New South Wales before his family moved to Canberra in the 1980s. As a child he grew up on the Southside in Torrens attending the local public schools, Torrens Primary, Melrose High School and Narrabundah College. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the Australian National University (ANU). Prior to his election into the ACT Legislative Assembly, Steel worked as the Policy and Research Manager at peak education advocacy group Early Childhood Australia.[2] He has also worked as a policy adviser for both the Australian Government and Australian Capital Territory Government. Prior to being elected to office, Steel volunteered as a Director on the Board of YMCA Canberra.[3] Steel currently lives in Kambah with his partner Kurt.[4]
Political career
editOn 16 October 2016 Steel was elected to the Ninth Assembly to represent the new electorate of Murrumbidgee receiving 9.1% of the vote.[5] Steel was re-elected at the 2020 ACT Election with 13.8% of the vote.[6]
Steel was appointed to Ministry on 27 August 2018 as Minister for City Services, Minister for Roads, Minister for Community Services and Community Facilities, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.[7] On 1 July 2019 he took on responsibility for the Transport portfolio following Meegan Fitzharris' resignation from the Ministry.[8]
Following the 2020 ACT Election Steel was subsequently re-appointed to the Third Barr Ministry as Minister for Transport and City Services, Minister for Skills, and as Special Minister of State.[9]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Steel, Chris. "Chris Steel - Candidate for Murrumbidgee". ACT Labor. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ Steel, Chris. "The Spoke - Early Childhood Australia's Blog". Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom (31 August 2015). "Former staffer Chris Steel joins Labor preselection fight in Murrumbidgee". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ "Administrative Arrangements 2019 (No 1)". ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "2016 Murrumbidgee Election Results". Elections ACT. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "2020 Murrumbidgee Election Results". Elections ACT. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Labor backbencher Chris Steel named new ACT minister". Canberra Times. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- ^ White, Daniella (26 June 2019). "New ACT health and transport ministers announced". Canberra Times. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Andrew Barr unveils new ACT Cabinet". Canberra Times. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.