Catherine King was first elected to Federal Parliament in 2001 to represent the electorate of Ballarat.
She was re-elected as member at subsequent Federal Elections in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
She holds a Degree in Social Work and a Masters in Public Policy from the Australian National University.
Catherine worked in the social welfare sector in Ballarat and later in the public sector as an assistant director for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and then as a director.
Prior to entering Parliament she was a senior manager at KPMG Consulting in
Melbourne.
Catherine has a strong commitment to equality of access for all Australians to vital services such as health care and education; quality care and amenities for older people and high standard, affordable childcare.
She is passionate about the development of regional Australia, including the provision of services and infrastructure, the creation and retention of job opportunitiesand the delivery of training for local people.
Catherine is married and has one son. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking and a good book.
Parliamentary service
Elected to the House of Representatives for Ballarat, Victoria, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010
Ministerial appointments
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
Responsibility for:
· Therapeutic Goods Administration;
· Office of the Gene Technology Regulator;
· National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme;
· Office of Chemical Safety;
· Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency;
· Food Standards Australia New Zealand;
· National Blood Authority;
· food policy;
· nanotechnologies;
· gene technology;
· blood and organ donation; and
· Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy.
Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport
Responsibility for
· National Road Safety policy
· Vehicle Safety Standards
· Regional Aviation Access Program
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Australia in Victoria
Responsibility for
· Regional Development Committees in Victoria
· Any other specific responsibilities that are advised by the Minister for Regional Australia
Committee service
House of Representatives Standing: Health and Ageing from 2.12.04 to 19.7.10;
Chair Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government from 19.2.08 to 19.7.10.
Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 20.3.02 to 19.7.10.