THE HON SIMON CREAN MP

Simon Crean is Minister for Trade in the Australian Government.

Prior to his appointment as Trade Minister in December 2007, Simon Crean held a range of Shadow Ministerial positions including: Shadow Trade and Regional Development Minister from December 2006, having been Regional Development Shadow Minister since July 2005, Shadow Trade Minister from October 2004, Shadow Treasurer from December 2003 to October 2004.

He was Leader of the Opposition from November 2001 to December 2003, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Treasurer from October 1998 to November 2001 and Shadow Minister for Industry and Regional Development and Manager of Opposition Business from March 1996 to October 1998.

Following his election to Federal Parliament in March 1990 Mr Crean went straight on to the front bench as Minister for Science and Technology in the fourth Hawke Labor Government and later served as Minister for Primary Industries and Energy and Minister for Employment, Education and Training in the Keating Government.

Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Crean was President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 1985 to 1990, and from 1970-1985, Mr Crean was a full-time trade union official with the Federated Storemen and Packers Union of Australia.

Mr Crean has taken an active role within a number of national and international organisations. Until his election to Parliament he was a member of the governing body of the International Labor Organisation, the Economic Planning and Advisory Council, the Rural and Allied Industries Council, the Board of Qantas, the Board of the Australian Industry Development Corporation and the Transport Industry Advisory Council.

Mr Crean was born in Melbourne in 1949. He was educated at Melbourne High School and Monash University, and obtained degrees in Economics and Law.

In 1973 Mr Crean married Carole Lamb. They have two daughters, Sarah and Emma. The family lives in Melbourne.

Mr Crean’s father Frank had a long and distinguished career in the Federal Parliament, and was Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer in the Whitlam Government.

Mr Crean is the Patron of the North Melbourne Football Club.