Suzanne Orr

Suzanne Patricia Orr (born 6 February 1982) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since October 2016, representing the electorate of Yerrabi. She worked as an urban planner before her election.[1]

Suzanne Orr MLA
Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly for Yerrabi
Incumbent
Assumed office 15 October 2016
Minister for Community Services and Facilities
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 August 2019
Leader	Andrew Barr
Preceded by	Chris Steel
Minister for Disability
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 August 2019
Leader	Andrew Barr
Preceded by	Rachel Stephen-Smith
Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 August 2019
Leader	Andrew Barr
Preceded by	Rachel Stephen-Smith
Minister for Government Services and Procurement
Incumbent
Assumed office 26 August 2019
Leader	Andrew Barr
Preceded by	Gordon Ramsay
Personal details
Born	6 February 1982 Canberra, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor Party
Relations	Nathanael Orr (Paternal Grandfather)
Alma mater	University of Canberra Australian National University
Profession	Urban Planner
Website	https://suzanneorr.com.au/

Biography

Orr was born in Canberra and grew up in Giralang. While growing up her family fostered more than 200 children. The experience made her aware from a young age that government has a big role in helping when people need extra support. She worked in the hospitality and tourism industries. Orr completed university as a mature age student and along with her cousins became part of the first generation in her father's family to be university educated. After completing a master's degree she began a career as an urban planner and also worked for the Australian Public Service.

Political career

Orr joined the Australian Labor Party in 2013. She organised a successful campaign along with 350.org to encourage the ACT Government to divest from fossil fuel companies soon after being involved in the party.

In the 2016 ACT election, Orr was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly as the ACT Labor Member for Yerrabi. On 26 August 2019, she was appointed as the Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Disability, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety and Minister for Government Services and Procurement in the Second Barr Ministry after a reshuffle.[2][3]

Personal

Orr is a qualified Urban Planner and is passionate about making cities the best they can be for the people that live in them, while at the same time minimising the impact urban lifestyles have on the environment.

As a lesbian[4] member of the LGBTIQ community Orr was a passionate advocate for marriage equality and is Patron of Yes!Fest.[5]

Orr is in a relationship with a woman.[5]

See also

• List of LGBTI holders of political offices in Australia

References

1. "Suzanne Orr MLA > About". Labor Party. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
2. "Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Ministerial Appointment 2019 (No 2)" (PDF).
3. "ACT government ministerial reshuffle: Suzanne Orr takes on employment, disabilities". Canberra Times. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
4. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6001285/andrew-barr-to-start-to-close-discrimination-loophole-next-week/
5. "It's not just a survey, it's personal - HerCanberra.com.au". hercanberra.com.au. Retrieved 30 June 2019.