Maria Vamvakinou

Maria Vamvakinou (Greek: Μαρία Βαμβακινού) (born 4 January 1959), is a Greek-born Australian politician. She has been member of the Australian House of Representatives since November 2001, representing the Division of Calwell, Victoria for the Australian Labor Party. She is a member of its Socialist Left faction.

A high school teacher before entering politics, Vamvakinou is the first Greek-born woman to be elected to parliament in Australia, having emigrated to Australia with her parents when she was four years old. (She renounced her Greek citizenship in 2000.) She obtained a BA in Modern Greek and Political Science at the University of Melbourne.

Vamvakinou was an advisor and electorate officer to several Labor politicians including Joan Kirner and Kim Carr, and a member of Northcote City Council 1990–92.

She is married to Dr Michalis S. Michael, and has two children.