Katy Gallagher

Katherine Ruth Gallagher (born 18 March 1970) is an Australian politician who has been a Senator for the Australian Capital Territory since the 2019 federal election, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). She previously served in the Senate from 2015 to 2018, and was Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory from 2011 to 2014.


Katy Gallagher
Gallagher in 2011
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
Assumed office
18 May 2019
Preceded byDavid Smith
In office
25 March 2015[1]  9 May 2018[2]
Preceded byKate Lundy
Succeeded byDavid Smith
6th Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Elections: 2012
In office
16 May 2011  11 December 2014
DeputyAndrew Barr
Preceded byJon Stanhope
Succeeded byAndrew Barr
10th Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
In office
20 April 2006  16 May 2011
Preceded byTed Quinlan
Succeeded byAndrew Barr
7th Treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory
In office
11 November 2008  30 June 2011
Preceded byJon Stanhope
Succeeded byAndrew Barr
Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Molonglo
In office
20 October 2001  23 December 2014
Preceded byJacqui Burke
Succeeded byMeegan Fitzharris
Personal details
Born
Katherine Ruth Gallagher[3]

(1970-03-18) 18 March 1970
Weston Creek, Canberra, Australia
Political partyLabor
Alma materAustralian National University
ProfessionSocial worker, union organiser
WebsiteKaty Gallagher

Gallagher grew up in Canberra and was a union organiser with the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) before entering politics. She was elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly in 2001, representing the electorate of Molonglo.[4] She was made a minister under Jon Stanhope in 2002, and appointed Deputy Chief Minister in 2006. Gallagher became Chief Minister in 2011 after Stanhope's retirement, and led her party to a fourth consecutive term at the 2012 general election. She resigned in 2014 to seek preselection to the Senate.[5]

In March 2015, Gallagher was appointed to fill the casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Senator Kate Lundy.[1] She was appointed to Bill Shorten's shadow ministry later in the year, and elected to the Senate in her own right at the 2016 federal election. She was subsequently elected Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate. In December 2017, during the parliamentary eligibility crisis, Gallagher was referred to the High Court. The court ruled in May 2018 that she was disqualified from sitting in the Senate for failing to renounce her British citizenship before nomination for election in 2016.[2] She returned to her previous Senate seat at the 2019 federal election.[6]

Early years and background

Gallagher was born and raised in the Weston Creek district of Canberra. She was educated in Duffy, and at Melrose High School and Canberra College (previously known as Stirling College), before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology at the Australian National University in 1990.[7]

She was initially employed as a social worker, assisting with a community life skills project and working with children with disabilities. From 1994 to 1997, she worked as an advocate for People First ACT, a support and advocacy organisation for the intellectually disabled. Around this time, Gallagher became involved in the labour movement,[7] and took on a position with the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), first working as a case manager and then a national organiser.

In 1997, Gallagher's fiancé, Brett Seaman (also a CPSU organiser), was killed in a cycling accident in Merimbula. At the time, Gallagher was 13 weeks pregnant with her first daughter. An 86-year-old female pensioner narrowly escaped a jail term for dangerous and irresponsible driving for the crash. The union movement assisted Gallagher with the funeral and court case that followed the accident.[8]

Gallagher is a classically trained cellist, and despite time constraints, still plays.[9]

ACT politics

Early career

The support provided to Gallagher by the Labor Party and union movement inspired her to run for pre-selection as one of the Labor candidates for the electorate of Molonglo for the 2001 ACT general election.[8] At the time, Labor had two incumbent members in the Assembly representing Molonglo. Long-serving independent Michael Moore retired at the election. The election saw Labor come to power, led by Jon Stanhope. Despite Gallagher winning just 4.38% of the first preference vote,[10] following distribution of preferences, Gallagher was elected as the fifth member to the seven member seat, behind Humphries, Tucker, Corbell, and Quinlan.[11]

Gallagher was appointed to the second arrangement of the first Stanhope ministry on 23 December 2002,[12] when she was given the portfolios of education, youth and family services; women; and industrial relations. A minor change on 26 May 2004 saw Gallagher's ministry for education, youth and family services divided into separate responsibilities.[13]

At the 2004 ACT general election, Gallagher polled strongly, generating 11.59% of the first preference vote[14] and was the first candidate elected to represent Molonglo in the Assembly, ahead of both Labor colleagues, Quinlan and Corbell.[15]

Deputy Chief Minister

Gallager's ministerial responsibilities were unchanged in the first arrangement of the second Stanhope ministry and, on 20 April 2006, following the retirement of Ted Quinlan, she was promoted to Deputy Chief Minister with ministerial responsibilities including health, disability and community services, and women.[16] The ministry for children and young people was restored to Gallagher's responsibilities on 17 April 2007.[16]

At the 2008 ACT general election, Gallagher again polled strongly, generating 15.78% of the first-preference vote[17] and was the second candidate elected to represent Molonglo in the Assembly, behind Liberal leader, Seselja.[18] In the third Stanhope ministry, Gallagher took on ministerial responsibility for treasury, in addition to retaining both health and women;[19] whilst a subsequent reshuffle on 9 November 2009 saw her resume ministerial responsibility for industrial relations and lose the portfolio of women.[20]

Health portfolio

Amid allegations of bullying, it was reported in early 2010 that nine obstetricians had resigned from Canberra Hospital in the preceding 13 months.[21] The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists called on Gallagher to conduct an external, transparent review of the hospital; and, although initially denying the claims,[22] Gallagher agreed to two external reviews, one to look at workplace issues and the other to investigate patient outcomes.[23] The patient outcome review, when handed down in August 2010, sharply criticised hospital management with regards to workload, but stated that patient care was adequate.[24][25] A number of months earlier, Gallagher faced pressure from the Catholic Church, following an agreement that the ACT Government would purchase Calvary Hospital (in Bruce) from the Little Company of Mary Health Care (LCMHC) – an independent arm of the Church – for $77m. Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell claimed that the Government's motives were ideological and driven by anti-Christian elements.[26] Gallagher denied the claims. A dispute subsequently arose between LCMHC and the Government over an accounting concession[27] and the government withdrew from the purchase.[28] The culmination of these matters led the Liberal leader, Zed Seselja, on 17 August 2010, to move a no confidence vote in the Assembly against Gallagher as Minister for Health as follows:[29]

That this Assembly no longer has confidence in the Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher, for her continued neglect of the Health portfolio, most particularly... management failure, staff bullying, over working, and poor processes; ... complete failure in the Calvary Hospital purchase; ... and many instances of attacking those who made complaints, ignoring those who gave advice, and dealing with the problems through denial and neglect; ... and the ongoing poor performance of the ACT health system ...

The motion was defeated (five in favour, nine against), with the ACT Greens supporting the government.[30]

Chief Minister

On 12 May 2011, while Gallagher was deputy chief minister, the current chief minister at the time, Jon Stanhope, resigned. On 16 May 2011, Gallagher was elected by the Assembly as the ACT's 6th Chief Minister and 3rd female Chief Minister.[31] The ALP won an additional seat in the 2012 Australian Capital Territory general election, and remained in government after securing the support of the sole remaining Green MLA.

During her term as Chief Minister, Gallagher welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the ACT on their Australian tour in April 2014.[32]

On 5 December 2014 Gallagher announced that she would resign as chief minister to pursue the upcoming Senate vacancy left by the resignation of Kate Lundy.[33] She resigned as Chief Minister and her deputy Andrew Barr was elected as her replacement on 11 December 2014.[5]

Federal politics

Gallagher was sworn in as a Senator on 26 March 2015.[1] On 25 September 2015 Gallagher nominated to join the Shadow Ministry in the Labor Party Caucus. She was elected by the caucus alongside Jim Chalmers unopposed.[34]

On 13 October 2015, Gallagher was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet in the roles of Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on State and Territory Relations.[35] She held those positions until 23 July 2016 when she was promoted to Shadow Minister for Small Business and Financial Services.[36] On 12 September 2016, Gallagher was also appointed as Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.[37]

Gallagher is a supporter of same-sex marriage[38] having overseen the introduction of it when as ACT Chief Minister only to be overturned by the High Court.

On 6 December 2017, at her own request, the Senate referred Gallagher to the High Court of Australia to determine her eligibility for election in the 2016 federal election as a part of the 2017–18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis.[39]

On 9 May 2018, in a unanimous decision, the full bench of the High Court of Australia found that Gallagher was not eligible for election at the 2016 federal election given that she had still been a British citizen when nominating as a candidate on 31 May 2016 for the election which was held on 2 July 2016. Gallagher completed her Form RN declaration of renunciation of British citizenship on 20 April and the ACT Labor Party lodged it with the UK Home Office on 26 April, the court finding "Senator Gallagher retained that status until 16 August 2016, when her declaration of renunciation of that citizenship was registered by the Home Office of the United Kingdom."[2][40]

In June 2018, Gallagher announced that she would seek nomination for an ACT seat in the Senate at the next federal election.[41] She successfully sought re-election at the 2019 federal election.[6]

Controversy

Gallagher accused the Australian senator Mitch Fifield of "mansplaining" during a debate in a Senate committee hearing regarding social services legislation, which subsequently went viral.[42] Fifield responded, noting it was hypocritical and sexist to reduce an opponent's statement based on gender. The resulting argument lasted several minutes with both parties accusing the other of inappropriate language unfit for public office. Ultimately, Fifield posited the use of an imaginary phrase "womansplaining" in the same context, to which Gallagher replied that mansplaining was "a term that's used".[43]

Personal life

Gallagher was previously engaged to Brett Seaman, who died in a road accident in 1997.[8] She and her partner Dave Skinner have three children: Abigail, Charlie and Evie.[44][45][46]

See also

References

  1. Peake, Ross. "Katy Gallagher promises to stand up for Canberra". Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  2. Baxendale, Rachel; Brown, Greg (9 May 2018). "Labor senator Katy Gallagher found ineligible by High Court". The Australian. Retrieved 9 May 2018.(subscription required)
  3. 2012/2013 Annual Returns Archived 15 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Elections ACT, 29 August 2013.
  4. "Members of the ACT Legislative Assembly". ACT Legislative Assembly. 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  5. "Andrew Barr elected ACT Chief Minister, seventh in history". ABC News. Australia. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  6. "Senate Results". ABC News. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. "Katy Gallagher". ACT Labor People. Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch). Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  8. Bellamy, Elizabeth (13 January 2006). "Katy's bundle of joy taking life at a leisurely pace". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  9. Drive with Adam Shirley, time ref:2h40m, Adam Shirley, ABC News Online, 17 June 2016
  10. "Electorate of Molonglo First Preference Results". 2001 ACT Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2001. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  11. "Voting Data". 2001 ACT Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2001. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  12. "Notification of Appointment of Ministers NI 2002 No 401" (PDF). ACT Gazette. ACT Legislative Assembly. 2002–401. 23 December 2002. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  13. "Notification of Appointment of Ministers NI 2004 No 157" (PDF). ACT Gazette. ACT Legislative Assembly. 2004–157. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  14. "Electorate of Molonglo First Preference Results". 2004 ACT Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2004. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  15. "Voting Data". 2004 ACT Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2004. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  16. "Notification of Appointment of Ministers NI 2006 No 142" (PDF). ACT Gazette. ACT Legislative Assembly. 2006–142. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  17. "Table 1.8 First preference votes by candidate/vote type: Molonglo". 2008 ACT Legislative Assembly Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  18. "Distribution of preferences" (PDF). 2008 ACT Legislative Assembly Election. ACT Electoral Commission. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  19. "Notification of Appointment of Ministers NI 2008 No 527" (PDF). ACT Gazette. ACT Legislative Assembly. 2008–527. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  20. "Notification of Appointment of Ministers NI 2009 No 562" (PDF). ACT Gazette. ACT Legislative Assembly. 2009–562. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  21. Dodgson, Joanne (17 February 2010). "Obstetricians quit amid bullying claims". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  22. McLintock, Penny (17 February 2010). "'No complaints to investigate': Gallagher". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  23. McLintock, Penny (22 February 2010). "Hospital to review bullying claims". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  24. "Damning review of maternity services". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  25. Jean, Peter (6 August 2010). "Maternity staff in crisis". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  26. "Calvary sale 'driven by anti-Christian elements". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  27. Kretowiczk, Ewa (20 August 2010). "Govt rethinks delivery of hospital services". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  28. Towell, Noel (14 August 2010). "No deal: Calvary buy-out cancelled". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  29. "Assembly Debate – 17/08/2010" (PDF). ACT Hansard. ACT Legislative Assembly. 17 August 2010. pp. 3324–562. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  30. "Health Minister bats off no confidence motion". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 17 August 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
  31. "Minutes of Proceedings – Monday, 16 May 2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  32. "Royal tour 2014". Canberra Times.
  33. "Katy Gallagher resigns as Chief Minister, declares for Senate". The Canberra Times. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  34. "Katy Gallagher and Jim Chalmers promoted to Labor's frontbench". ABC News. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  35. Peake, Ross (13 October 2015). "ACT Senator Katy Gallagher appointed shadow minister responsible for mental health and housing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  36. "Former Senator Katy Gallagher". www.aph.gov.au. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  37. "ACT senator Katy Gallagher gets Dastyari's leadership job". SBS News. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  38. Peake, Ross. "Katy Gallagher and Zed Seselja in bitter stoush over gay marriage". Canberra Times. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  39. Peatling, Stephanie (6 December 2017). "Politics live: Citizenship chaos overshadows same-sex marriage debate in final days of Parliament for 2017". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  40. Karp, Paul (9 May 2018). "Dual citizenship: high court rules Labor senator Katy Gallagher ineligible". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  41. Remeikis, Amy (8 June 2018). "Katy Gallagher says she will run for Senate spot again". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  42. Ireland, Judith (11 February 2016). "'What?': Katy Gallagher explains mansplaining to Mitch Fifield during fiery estimates showdown". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  43. "Fifield accuses Gallagher of hypocrisy over 'mansplaining' criticism". www.abc.net.au. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  44. "Katy Gallagher, MLA". ACT Chief Minister. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  45. Towell, Noel (16 May 2011). "Gallagher elected Chief Minister". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  46. "Statement in relation to citizenship - 45th parliament" (PDF). Australian Parliament House. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
Political offices
Preceded by
Ted Quinlan
Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
2006–2011
Succeeded by
Andrew Barr
Preceded by
Simon Corbell
Minister for Health
2006–2014
Succeeded by
Simon Corbell
Preceded by
Jon Stanhope
Treasurer of the Australian Capital Territory
2008–2011
Succeeded by
Andrew Barr
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
2011–2014
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Kate Lundy
David Smith
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
2015–2018
2019–present
Succeeded by
David Smith
Incumbent
Preceded by
Sam Dastyari
Jacinta Collins
Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate
2016–2017
2019-present
Succeeded by
Jacinta Collins
Incumbent
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