Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard was sworn in as the 27th prime minister of Australia on June 24, 2010 and served in that office until June 2013.

As prime minister and in her previous role as deputy prime minister, Gillard was central to the successful management of Australia’s economy, the 12th biggest economy in the world, during the global financial crisis and as Australia positioned to seize the benefits of Asia’s rise. Gillard developed Australia’s guiding policy paper, “Australia in the Asian Century.” Gillard delivered nation-changing policies including reforming Australia education at every level from early childhood to university education, creating an emissions trading scheme, improving the provision and sustainability of health care, aged care, and dental care, commencing the nation’s first ever national scheme to care for people with disabilities and restructuring the telecommunications sector as well as advancing a national broadband network. In foreign policy, Gillard strengthened Australia’s alliance with the United States, secured stronger architecture for the relationship with China, upgraded Australia’s ties with India, and deepened ties with Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea. Gillard has represented Australia at the G-20, including winning Australia’s right to host the 2014 meeting, the East Asia Summit, APEC, NATO-ISAF, and chaired CHOGM. Under Gillard’s leadership, Australia was elected to serve on the United Nations Security Council.

EDUCATION

Degrees in Arts and Law, University of Melbourne