Kate Ellis

Kate Ellis grew up in the in the Murray River town of Mannum in South Australia. Her family owned the local bakery and her mother worked as a teacher at the local primary school.

Kate moved with her family to Adelaide where she attended high school in the inner south-western suburbs and later studied international relations and politics at Flinders University. Her political interest was sparked when higher education funding was slashed and massive increases to HECS fees were introduced.

She became involved with student campaigns to highlight these and other issues, was editor of the student newspaper and later President of the Students’ Association.

Kate worked for two South Australian state ministers before making her mark at a federal level.

On October 9 2004, Kate made history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Australian House of Representatives, after winning the seat of Adelaide.

Following the Australian Labor Party election victory in November 2007 Kate was elevated to the Rudd Government ministry as the Minister for Sport and Youth, and Minister for Early Childhood, Education and Childcare. She is now Minister for Employment Participation, Minister for Status of Women and Minister for Child Care.

In her elusive spare time, she loves to cook, play for her local social netball team and attempts to keep her garden alive.