Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

Senator The Honourable
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Assumed office
18 February 2016 (2016-02-18)
Preceded by Steven Ciobo
Senator for New South Wales
Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded by John Tierney
Personal details
Born (1960-05-20) 20 May 1960
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) John Wells
Alma mater Australian National University
Profession Solicitor

Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells (born 20 May 1960) is an Australian politician. She is a Senator for the state of New South Wales representing the Liberal Party since May 2005. Fierravanti-Wells is the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, since February 2016 in the Turnbull Government.[1] She has previously served as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs between September 2015 and February 2016. Fierravanti-Wells was elected to the Senate at the 2004 federal election.

Background and early career

Fierravanti-Wells was born in Wollongong, New South Wales;[2] and both her parents were Italian immigrants.[3] She was educated at the Australian National University, and was a senior government lawyer and ministerial advisor before entering politics. She was a Policy Advisor to Jim Carlton, then Shadow Minister for Policy Co-ordination and Development, between 1990 and 1993, and Senior Private Secretary to John Fahey, then Premier of New South Wales, from 1993 to 1994.

She was a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor between 1994 and 2004.

Political career

Fierravanti-Wells has been a member of the Federal Council of the Liberal Party; is an active member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy; and is on the committee of a new Liberal Party publication, The Conservative. She opposes same-sex marriage and adoption, claiming in a 2012 interview that many LGBT people do not "even intend on staying in a monogamous relationship".[4]

Normally she would have taken her seat on 1 July 2005, however following the resignation of Senator John Tierney in April (his term was due to expire on 30 June), Fierravanti-Wells was appointed to the resulting vacancy, and took her seat on 5 May.

Prior to the 2013 federal election, she was the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing; and was appointed to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Services from September 2013. During the Turnbull cabinet re-shuffle, Fierravanti-Wells was appointed as Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, an outer ministry position.[5]

On 13 February 2016, it was announced that Fierravanti-Wells would be appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry.[6]

References

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Tierney
Senator for New South Wales
2005present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Steve Ciobo
Minister for International Development and the Pacific
2016present
Incumbent
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