Ged Kearney
ALP Federal

Assistant Minister for Social Services

Safe

9.72% Margin

Elected 2018

8 years

Member for Cooper (VIC)

Federal - VIC

Ged was born in East Melbourne in 1963 and grew up in the inner suburb of Richmond. Her father was a publican and she was one of nine children.

Ged attained a Bachelor of Education from La Trobe University and became a registered nurse at Mercy Private Hospital in 1985. She worked in both public and private settings as a nurse. In 2000, Ged worked as a deputy director of nursing at the Clinical Nursing Education Department before moving into the unions in 2002, where she became assistant ...

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Portfolios

  • Assistant Minister for Social Services
  • Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence

Key Staff

  • Gabriel Steger

    Adviser

    ****@****.gov.au

  • Robbie Stephen

    Chief of Staff

    ****@****.gov.au

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First Speech in Parliament

21 May 2018

# Indigenous Rights # Healthcare and Aged Care # Women and Family Policy # Workers' Rights # Education and Training # Climate Action # Refugee Policy # Union Solidarity # Community Engagement # Economic Justice

Personal Background and Values

  • Grew up in a large family with strong community and feminist values, influenced by parents who ran a pub and engaged in community support.
  • Commitment to solidarity as a guiding principle derived from personal experiences in nursing and community activism.

Policy Focus

  • Advocates for the implementation of the Uluru Statement and a First Nations voice in Parliament.
  • Strongly supports paid parental leave, quality childcare, and financial security for families based on personal challenges as a working mother.
  • Emphasises the need for a robust public healthcare system and a properly funded TAFE system, drawing on her nursing background.

Economic and Social Justice

  • Criticises privatisation in healthcare and the impact of corporate profits on working Australians; calls for fair wage policies and support for unions.
  • Discusses the importance of humane refugee policies and international aid, arguing for increased contributions to assist our neighbours and address climate change impacts.

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FAQ

Robbie Stephen is Ged Kearney's Chief of Staff.

Ged Kearney represents the electorate of Cooper (VIC) in the Australian Parliament.

Ged Kearney is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

Latest Updates

Never miss a beat with AI-powered political alerts - curated by us, tailored for you.

Media Releases

Expanded access to specialised and trauma-informed sexual violence legal services pilots in NSW and Qld

Media Release • 8 March

Social Services Social Services Sector Courts and Tribunals

AI Summary

  • Funding announced for specialised sexual violence legal services pilots in NSW and Qld.
  • NSW pilot expands Sexual Assault Communications Privilege Service, offering holistic legal assistance.
  • Qld pilot features a statewide advice line focused on supporting young victims.
  • Part of a broader $21.4 million response to the Australian Law Reform Commission's report on sexual violence.
  • Aligns with the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 and aims to improve justice outcomes.

Consultation begins on options to stop family violence perpetrators accessing their victims’ super after death

Media Release • 5 March

Social Services Financial Services Sector Superannuation Domestic Violence Social Services Sector

AI Summary

  • Public consultation begins on reforms to stop family violence perpetrators from receiving victims' superannuation death benefits.
  • Current laws may allow financial benefits to be paid to perpetrators, prompting the need for reform.
  • Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasises that superannuation should not benefit tormentors of victims.
  • The Government has invested over $4 billion in initiatives to combat family violence and support victims.
  • Consultations are open until 15 April 2026, inviting submissions from various stakeholders.

In Parliament

FEDERATION CHAMBER › CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Union Aid Abroad—Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad

Australian Federal Parliament • House of Reps • 3 March

AI Summary

  • Union Aid Abroad reported on Australian contributions to global health and education initiatives.
  • The importance of community support for development projects was stressed.
  • The role of the Australian people in fostering international aid was highlighted.

FEDERATION CHAMBER › CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Union Aid Abroad—Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad

Australian Federal Parliament • House of Reps • 3 March

AI Summary

  • Union Aid Abroad highlights the contributions of the Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad in supporting global health and education initiatives.
  • The organisation focuses on addressing the needs of vulnerable communities through various aid programs.
  • Recent projects include efforts to improve healthcare access and educational opportunities in developing countries.

Social Media

Posted on Facebook • 7 March 2026

The Swag on the Beat boys are Cooper locals… and now they’ve launched their own sustainable toilet paper business. 🎶🧻 Honestly, what a pairing. We love supporting local creativity and local businesses doing good for the planet. So from the 22nd, grab yourself some toilet paper and back some brilliant Cooper talent.
Open Post

Posted on Facebook • 6 March 2026

Parliament can feel like an abstract concept sometimes. For anyone who’s curious to what parliamentarians get up to while in the big building, here’s a glimpse from me!
Open Post

Posted on X • 31 January 2025

This is not a political football - this is about ensuring the best practice of care for trans and gender diverse children and adolescents.
Open Post

Posted on X • 1 March 2024

@SkyNewsAust B B. Bb. B n n no
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Posted on LinkedIn • 6 March 2026

Parliament can feel like an abstract concept sometimes. For anyone who’s curious to what parliamentarians get up to while in the big building, here’s a glimpse from me!
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 5 March 2026

Superannuation

For too long, there have been cases where perpetrators have been able to access the superannuation of the very person whose life they harmed. That is deeply unjust. That’s why the Albanese Labor Government is taking action to ensure perpetrators cannot benefit from the superannuation of their victim after they die.
Open Post