Sophie Mirabella
Commissioner Sophie Mirabella | |
---|---|
Commissioner of the Fair Work Commission | |
Assumed office 24 May 2021 | |
Nominated by | Michaelia Cash |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Indi | |
In office 10 November 2001 – 7 September 2013 | |
Preceded by | Lou Lieberman |
Succeeded by | Cathy McGowan |
Personal details | |
Born | Sophie Panopoulos 27 October 1968 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse | |
Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
Profession | Barrister |
Website | sophiemirabella.com.au (archived) |
Sophie Mirabella (née Panopoulos; born 27 October 1968) is an Australian lawyer and former politician who currently serves as a Commissioner on the
After spending a number of years on the
Mirabella narrowly lost her seat of Indi at the
Early life and education
Mirabella was born Sophie Panopoulos in
Political career
Mirabella has been a member of the Liberal Party since 1987. She became well known during the constitutional monarchy/republican debate in Australia, acting as a prominent advocate for retaining the constitutional monarchy, and was an elected member of the 1998 Constitutional Convention.[5] The referendum that followed saw all states and a majority of Australians support the retention of the constitutional monarchy over the republican model that was offered. In 2001 Mirabella won preselection as the Liberal candidate to succeed Lou Lieberman as the Member for Indi, standing against Sussan Ley,[6] which she won in the 2001 federal election with a vote of 61.15% on a two-party preferred basis.[7] Mirabella received a well above-average[citation needed] 5.6% swing to her in the 2004 federal election, giving her 66.3% of the two-party preferred vote and making Indi a safe Liberal seat.[8]
Within the federal government, Mirabella sat in the
In opposition
In 2007 the
Mirabella was one of those who pledged their support to
After the 2010 election, she held her seat with a margin of 9.9% two party preferred against Labor.[24]
Parliamentary style
According to Fenella Souter in the
On a number of occasions her comments both inside and outside parliament attracted controversy. In 2008, Mirabella stated in parliament to Prime Minister
Prior to the 2013 federal election, retiring independent MP Tony Windsor nominated Mirabella for "the nasty prize" when asked who was the person he would miss least in politics on the ABC Insiders program. "She is the nastiest – I reckon if you put it to a vote to all politicians, she'd come up No.1".[31]
2013 federal election defeat
Mirabella was defeated in
On 11 September 2013, 1003
On 18 September 2013, Mirabella conceded defeat, the same day Abbott and his government were sworn in.[36]
The final result in Indi saw Mirabella's Liberal two-candidate preferred vote at 49.8% (−10.2), with the primary vote at 44.7% (−7.2) and the two-party preferred vote at 59.1% (+0.1).
Post politics
On 17 December 2013 Mirabella was named as an appointee to the board of ASC Pty Ltd – formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation. Mirabella's past shadow cabinet roles were considered relevant to the appointment. A statement read "Combined with her legal background and her extensive experience working with the manufacturing industry, Mrs Mirabella will make a valuable contribution to the board".[37] The appointment was greeted with cynicism by one journalist, describing the appointment as "jobs for the girls".[38]
In 2015, Mirabella stated Liberal minister Scott Morrison would be the "next conservative prime minister of Australia".[39]
Media
Mirabella appeared as a panellist on the ABC TV talkback show
2016 federal election bid
In 2015 Mirabella was endorsed as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Indi at the 2016 federal election. During the lead up to the official election campaign it was reported that Mirabella "very publicly pushed Ms McGowan out of the way to obstruct" a photo being taken of her opponent, Cathy McGowan, with a Liberal MP, Ken Wyatt. Mirabella went on Twitter to "emphatically reject reports I pushed Cathy McGowan"; the editor of the Benalla Ensign stated that she confirmed the incident with four sources and defended the reporting on the basis of "public interest".[44] Mirabella denied the allegations and is reported as examining legal remedies. She stated that it was "extremely disappointing that the journalist at no time sought to contact me or check the facts or seek a right of reply." She also said "I am currently investigating my legal remedies and those available through the Australian Press Council" and "The article represents a new low and a sad return to nasty tactics from my opponents."[45] It was reported that a witness denied that any physical altercation took place.[46]
On 21 April 2016, Mirabella alleged that during her failed election bid in 2013, A$10 million of public funding for Wangaratta Hospital was promised by the then opposition leader, Tony Abbott. She also alleged that, due to her eventual election loss to independent candidate Cathy McGowan, this funding was scrapped by the newly elected coalition government.[46][47] Mirabella claimed that her own party was the source of a series of damaging leaks to undermine her.[48]
Mirabella's bid to reclaim the seat of Indi was ultimately unsuccessful,[2] with Independent Cathy McGowan claiming victory in the race, with a near 4.5% swing against Mirabella after preferences. Mirabella's first preference vote suffered a drop in excess of 17%, largely due to the Nationals Party fielding a candidate in Indi.[49]
McGowan retained Indi against Mirabella at the
Post-politics
In August 2016, Mirabella became the general manager of government and media relations for Gina Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting.[50]
In 2021, Mirabella was appointed a Commissioner to the Fair Work Commission.[51] She commenced in that role on 24 May 2021.[1]
Personal life
In 1995, Mirabella began a live-in relationship with Colin Howard, then dean of law at Melbourne University, who was forty years her senior. The relationship ended in 2001, although they remained close until his death in 2011. Mirabella held power of attorney over Howard's affairs from early 2007, and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the following year. Pursuant to his 1997 will, Mirabella was executor and sole beneficiary of his estate following his death in 2011. Howard's adult children threatened "a bitter legal dispute" over the will, but there was no legal challenge mounted to either its veracity or validity.[52][53]
In June 2006, she married Greg Mirabella, a farmer and former Australian Army Reserve officer working in the defence industry, and later a senator for Victoria.[54] The couple have two daughters.[3]
References
- ^ a b Cash, Michaelia (1 April 2021). "Appointments to the Fair Work Commission". Attorney-General for Australia and Minister for Industrial Relations. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Election 2016: Sophie Mirabella fails to reclaim Indi from Cathy McGowan". ABC News. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d Souter, Fenella (26 May 2012). "Will to Power". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 10.
- ^ "Sophie Mirabella". Q&A. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ Schubert, Misha (18 June 2005). "A tale of two Liberals". The Age Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Ramsey, Alan (19 March 2005). "Women the power behind the PM". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "2001 Profile of the division of Indi". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "2004 Profile of the division of Indi". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ Karvelas, Patricia (7 June 2005). "Ginger group eyes capital gains tax". The Australian. p. 2.
- ^ Colman, Elizabeth (9 September 2005). "Ginger group to meet again". The Australian. p. 2.
- ^ "Rebel MPs 'behaving like political terrorists'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Bishop backs headscarf ban". The Age 28 August 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Woe, David (10 August 2005). "Student unionism divides Coalition". The Age Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ "Mrs Sophie Mirabella MP". Parliament of Australia. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ Sexton, Reid (6 January 2008). "Liberal MP attacks 'frothing' Fraser". theage.com.au. The Age Company. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ^ Hedge, Mike (8 September 2013). "Mirabella fighting for political life". news.com.au. News Corp. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ Matthewson, Paula (1 July 2013). "Michaelia Cash's attack: Coalition women take nastiness to a new low". theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ Schubert, Misha; Dewi Cooke (15 February 2008). "Outspoken Liberal MP defends apology boycott". theage.com.au. The Age Company. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ^ "Children removed 'for own good', says Mirabella". news.com.au. News Corp. 13 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
- ISBN 9780424000664.
- ^ Berkovic, Nicola (23 September 2008). "Women rewarded in Liberal reshuffle". The Australian. p. 4.
- ^ Cronin, Danielle (9 December 2009). "Fighting Abbott to lead with his right". The Canberra Times. p. 1.
- News Limited. Archived from the originalon 19 January 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ^ "VIC DIVISION – INDI". Election 2010. Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- Albury-Wodonga. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Vasek, Lanai (12 October 2011). "Expulsion of Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella eases passage of carbon tax in the lower house". The Australian. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Hein, Tim (22 May 2012). "The 10 Most Publicised Abusive Comments about Julia Gillard". Tim Hein. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Leslie, Tim (2 March 2011). "Swan appalled by Gillard-Gaddafi comparison". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ "Comparing Gillard to Gaddafi 'colourful', says Abbott". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
- ^ Coorey, Phillip (29 February 2012). "Coalition in a froth over milk". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Kotsios, Natalie (2 July 2013). "Windsor: Sophie Mirabella doesn't get country people". The Border Mail Local News. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
- ^ Johnston, Matt; Gemma Jones (11 September 2013). "Newly found ballot papers put Sophie Mirabella further behind in Indi". Herald Sun. News Ltd. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ "1,000 misplaced votes extend Cathy McGowan's lead over Sophie Mirabella in Victorian seat of Indi". ABC News Online. Australian Broadcastng Corporation. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ Ireland, Judith (12 September 2013). "Sophie Mirabella withdraws from frontbench contention". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ Cullen, Simon; staff (13 September 2013). "Sophie Mirabella quits her frontbench role as she continues to trail Cathy McGowan in the seat of Indi". abc.net.au News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ "Sophie Mirabella concedes defeat in Indi". ABC News. 18 September 2013.
- ^ Hurst, Daniel (17 December 2013). "Sophie Mirabella joins board of submarine maintenance organisation". the Guardian. Australia. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ Waterford, Jack (22 December 2013). "Jobs for the girls: no sinking feelings about Sophie Mirabella". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Sophie Mirabella enters Indi preselection battle in bid to rejoin Coalition". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 May 2015.
- ^ Thompson, Angus. "GetUp! campaigner has seizure on Q&A". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ^ "downs GetUp! boss on live TV". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ^ ""Mirabella Reaction Awakens Twitterati"".
- ^ "Rattled by Sheikh". The Project. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
- ^ Savage, Alison (21 April 2016). "Sophie Mirabella, former Liberal MP, denies pushing opponent Cathy McGowan at function". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
- ^ Colangelo, Anthony (21 April 2016). "Mirabella denies pushing rival at nursing home event". The New Daily News. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ^ a b Koziol, Michael (23 April 2016). "Turnbull government ministers duck for cover after Sophie Mirabella comments embarrass the Coalition". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
- ^ Gribbin, Caitlyn; and staff (22 April 2016). "Sophie Mirabella slapped down by Barnaby Joyce over Wangaratta hospital funding comments". ABC News. Australia.
- ^ Gorr, Libbi (16 April 2016). "Sophie Mirabella suspects Liberal HQ leaking against her in fight for Indi". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ "Indi, VIC - AEC Tally Room". Archived from the original on 5 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom (12 August 2016). "Former Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella goes to work for Gina Rinehart". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ Coorey, Phillip (23 May 2021). "Former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella appointed to plum Fair Work job". Australian Financial Review. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Power, love and money". The Age. Fairfax Media. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
- ^ Michael Gilding and Christopher Baker (28 October 2012). "Family Matters". Inside Story. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ Bugelly, Chloe (11 July 2006). "Sophie weds in military theme". The Border Mail. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
External links
- Sophie Mirabella - political candidate webpage (archived)
- Search or browse Hansard for Sophie Mirabella at OpenAustralia.org