14 Facts About Julie Collins

Julie Maree Collins was born on 3 July 1971 and is an Australian politician.

Julie Collins is a member of the Australian Labor Party and has represented the Tasmanian seat of Franklin since the 2007 federal election.

Julie Collins held ministerial positions in the Gillard and Rudd governments, and is Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Minister for Small Business in the Albanese ministry.

Julie Collins's father died when she was five months old, leaving her mother, Anne Peters, widowed at the age of 19.

Julie Collins spent her early years in her grandparents' housing commission property.

Julie Collins enrolled in a college to complete the final two years of her secondary education, but had to discontinue her studies for financial reasons.

In 2021, Collins was identified as one of only four federal MPs who did not graduate from high school, the others being Jacqui Lambie, Llew O'Brien and Terry Young.

Julie Collins worked for the state health department, state opposition leader Michael Field, Senator John Coates, Senator Sue Mackay, Hydro Tasmania, state premier Jim Bacon, the state Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, and Senator Carol Brown.

Julie Collins was state president of Young Labor in 1996 and a delegate to state and national conference.

Julie Collins served as state secretary of the ALP from 2006 to 2007.

Julie Collins 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, Julie 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, Julie Collins gained additional responsibilities as the Minister for Housing and Homelessness and was promoted to the cabinet in the Second Rudd ministry.

Julie Collins remained in these positions until the defeat of the Rudd government in September 2013.