senator the hon penny wong
Minister for Foreign Affairs

Senator the Hon Penny Wong is a Senator for South Australia, the Senate leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Before her parliamentary career, Wong worked for the trade union covering furniture industry employees, as an advisor to the NSW Labor Government, and as a barrister. Elected to the Senate in 2001, she has been re-elected four times, in 2007, 2013, 2016, and 2022.

In the Rudd Government (2007-2010), she served as Minister for Climate Change and Water, significantly expanding the Renewable Energy Target and representing Australia in international climate change negotiations. As Minister for Finance and Deregulation (2010-2013), she delivered three Budgets post-Global Financial Crisis and implemented policies for female appointments to senior positions in government agencies and corporations.

Elected Leader of the Government in the Senate in 2013, Wong became Leader of the Opposition in the Senate after the 2013 change of government, making her the first woman to hold either role. She served as Shadow Foreign Minister for six years before being appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2022 with the election of the Albanese Government. In this role, she aims to rebuild Australia's reputation as a partner of choice, fostering a stable and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected and international rules are upheld.

A proud representative of South Australia, Senator Wong advocates for the state's interests, including the sustainability of the Murray River and the advancement of the state's economy.

X: @PennyWong
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