Julie Collins

Julie Maree Collins (born 3 July 1971 in Hobart, Tasmania), an Australian politician, is a member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Franklin since the 2007 federal election for the Australian Labor Party. Collins was also the Minister for Community Services, the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and the Minister for the Status of Women from 2011 to 2013; and the Minister for Housing and Homelessness from July to September 2013. After Labor's defeat at the 2013 federal election, she was appointed Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Employment Services.

Collins was born in Hobart, Tasmania She was state secretary of the Tasmanian Labor Party between 2006 and 2007.

Prior to her election a Member for Franklin in 2007, Collins previously unsuccessfully stood for the seat of Denison in the 2006 state election.

She successfully held her seat in the 2010 federal election and was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services on 14 September 2010 in the First Gillard Ministry. In 2011, Collins became Minister for Community Services, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and Minister for the Status of Women in the Second Gillard Ministry. In 2013, Collins gained additional responsibilities as the Minister for Housing and Homelessness and promoted to the cabinet in the second Rudd ministry. She remained in these positions until the defeat of the Rudd Government in September 2013.