Chris Steel

Christopher James Steel (born 15 May 1986) is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 2016, representing the electorate of Murrumbidgee and currently serves as a Cabinet Minister in the ACT Government. Before his election, Steel was an education advocate working in the early childhood sector.[1]

For those of a similar name, see Chris Steele (disambiguation).

Chris Steel

MLA
Minister for Transport
Assumed office
1 July 2019
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byMeegan Fitzharris
Minister for Community Services and Community Facilities
In office
27 August 2018 – 26 August 2019
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byRachel Stephen-Smith
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Assumed office
27 August 2018
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byRachel Stephen-Smith
Minister for City Services
Assumed office
27 August 2018
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byMeegan Fitzharris
Minister for Roads and Active Travel
Assumed office
27 August 2018
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byMeegan Fitzharris
Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction
Assumed office
27 August 2018
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byMeegan Fitzharris
Minister for Tertiary Education
Assumed office
23 March 2020
LeaderAndrew Barr
Preceded byAndrew Barr
Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for Murrumbidgee
Assumed office
15 October 2016
Personal details
Born (1986-05-15) 15 May 1986
Newcastle, New South Wales
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLabor Party
Spouse(s)Kurt Oborne
Alma materAustralian National University
OccupationEducation advocate
Websitewww.chrissteel.com.au

Biography

Steel was born in Newcastle, New South Wales before his family moved to Canberra in the 1980s. As a child he grew up on the Southside in Torrens attending the local public schools, Torrens Primary, Melrose High School and Narrabundah College. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) at the Australian National University (ANU). Prior to his election into the ACT Legislative Assembly, Steel worked as the Policy and Research Manager at peak education advocacy group Early Childhood Australia.[2] He has also worked as a policy adviser for both the Australian Government and Australian Capital Territory Government. Prior to being elected to office, Steel volunteered as a Director on the Board of YMCA Canberra.[3] Steel currently lives in Kambah with his partner Kurt.[4]

Political career

On 16 October 2016 Steel was elected to the Ninth Assembly to represent the new electorate of Murrumbidgee receiving 9.1% of the vote.[5] Steel was re-elected at the 2020 ACT Election with 13.8% of the vote.[6]

Steel was appointed to Ministry on 27 August 2018 as Minister for City Services, Minister for Roads, Minister for Community Services and Community Facilities, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.[7] On 1 July 2019 he took on responsibility for the Transport portfolio following Meegan Fitzharris' resignation from the Ministry.[8]

Following the 2020 ACT Election Steel was subsequently re-appointed to the Third Barr Ministry as Minister for Transport and City Services, Minister for Skills, and as Special Minister of State.[9]

See also

References
  1. Steel, Chris. "Chris Steel - Candidate for Murrumbidgee". ACT Labor. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. Steel, Chris. "The Spoke - Early Childhood Australia's Blog". Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  3. McIlroy, Tom (31 August 2015). "Former staffer Chris Steel joins Labor preselection fight in Murrumbidgee". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  4. "Administrative Arrangements 2019 (No 1)". ACT Legislation Register. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  5. "2016 Murrumbidgee Election Results". Elections ACT. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  6. "2020 Murrumbidgee Election Results". Elections ACT. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  7. "Labor backbencher Chris Steel named new ACT minister". Canberra Times. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  8. White, Daniella. "New ACT health and transport ministers announced". Canberra Times. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  9. "Andrew Barr unveils new ACT Cabinet". Canberra Times. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
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