Penny Wong - Senator, Career and Life

Penny Wong's Personal Details

Penny Wong is a Malaysia born Australian politician

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Who is Penny Wong?

Penelope Ying-Yen "Penny" Wong is a Malaysia born Australian politician. She is the current Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Senate. Born in Malaysia, she moved to Adelaide, Australia, post her parents’ divorce. She completed her high school education and graduated from the University of Adelaide in Law and Arts with honours. After graduating, she worked for trade unions and took part in campaigns to improve pay and living conditions of the union members. She entered politics on being elected to the Senate for the Australian Labor Party and became internationally known when she became the first woman to be appointed as the Leader of the Government in Senate. She has come out in the open and has revealed that she is a lesbian. She has proven herself to be an efficient politician with expertise in many diverse fields including economics, environmental issues, gender equality, international relations, etc. She is a strong advocate of equality for women, LGBT rights and a multicultural Australia

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Childhood & Early Life

Career

Awards & Achievements

Personal Life & Legacy

Trivia

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Penny Wong biography timelines

• // 5th Nov 1968
  Penelope Ying-Yen "Penny" Wong was born in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on November 5, 1968. Her father, Francis Wong was a Malaysian Chinese Hakka and her mother, Jane Wong was a European Australian.
• // 1976
  Penny's parents separated in 1976 and she moved to Adelaide, South Australia with her mother and younger brother Toby.
• // 1988 To 1989
  While studying, she joined the Adelaide University Labor Club in 1988 and has been a delegate to the South Australian Labor Party State Convention since 1989. She also worked for the 'Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union' (CFMEU), on a part time basis.
• // 1992
  Initially she planned to study medicine but later she changed her mind on realizing that she had an aversion to blood. She then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide in 1992.
• // 1993
  She was admitted to the South Australian Bar in 1993.
• // 1995
  In 1995–96 Penny acted as the advisor to CFMEU and to the newly elected New South Wales state government in Sydney.
• // 1996 To 1999
  After returning to Adelaide, she practiced law at the 'Duncan and Hannon' firm from 1996 to 1999. For the next three years, she worked as the legal officer for the 'Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union'.
• // 2001 To 1st Jul 2002
  Running for pre-selection for the Senate, she was selected for the top position on the Labor Party's South Australian ticket in 2001, and after being elected, she commenced her term on July 1, 2002.
• // 2001
  Her brother, Toby, committed suicide in 2001.
• // Jun 2005
  In June 2005 she became the Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation and Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility. Later on she held the portfolios of Public Administration and Accountability, Corporate Governance and Responsibility, and Workforce Participation.
• // 2007
  She was appointed as the Minister for Climate Change and Water after the Labor Party's victory in the 2007 election. During her stint in the ministry, she expanded the renewable energy target and was instrumental in bringing significant investment in wind and solar power.
• // Jun 2010
  In June 2010, she was named as one of the 25 most influential lesbian Australians.
• // Sep 2010 To Feb 2013
  In September 2010, she became the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and in February 2013 she was appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.
• // Jun 2013
  In June 2013 she became the first female to be appointed Leader of the Government in the Senate.
• // Sep 2013
  In September 2013, after the Labor Party’s defeat in the federal elections, Penny Wong was appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and became the first woman in Australia to hold this position.

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Penny Wong's FAQ

• What is Penny Wong birthday?

  Penny Wong was born at 1968-11-05

• Where is Penny Wong's birth place?

  Penny Wong was born in Kota Kinabalu

• What is Penny Wong nationalities?

  Penny Wong's nationalities is Australian

• Who is Penny Wong spouses?

  Penny Wong's spouses is Sophie Allouache

• Who is Penny Wong childrens?

  Penny Wong's childrens is Alexandra Wong

• What was Penny Wong universities?

  Penny Wong studied at University of Adelaide, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Scotch College, Adelaide

• What is Penny Wong's political ideology?

  Penny Wong's political ideology is Political party - Australian Labor Party

• What is Penny Wong's religion?

  Penny Wong's religion is Uniting Church in Australia

• What is Penny Wong's sun sign?

  Penny Wong is Scorpio

• How famous is Penny Wong?

  Penny Wong is famouse as Australian Senator