12 Facts About Julie Owens

Julie Ann Owens was born on 17 October 1958 and is an Australian former politician who served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives for Parramatta from 2004 to 2022, when she retired from politics.

Julie Owens's family moved to Brisbane as a result of her father's career in the army.

Julie Owens went on to attend the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, studying piano under Nancy Weir and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Julie Owens was a production manager at the Lyric Opera of Queensland from 1985 to 1989, where she was involved in productions of Aida, La boheme and Madama Butterfly.

Julie Owens later worked as a senior program officer at the Australia Council from 1989 to 1993 and CEO of the Association of Independent Record Labels from 2000 to 2004.

Julie Owens was a small-business owner and completed an MBA at the University of Sydney.

Julie Owens stood as the Labor candidate in North Sydney in 1996 and 1998.

The campaign was notable for the admission by Cameron, a prominent family values campaigner, that he had had an extramarital affair, and Julie Owens won the seat on preferences, despite a swing against the Labor Party in New South Wales.

Julie Owens is a backbencher and has been a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from December 2004.

Julie Owens won a third term in 2010 with only a small swing against her, and narrowly won a fourth term in 2013 even as Labor lost government.

On 28 October 2021, Julie Owens announced in Parliament that she would not contest the next election.

Julie Owens was succeeded by Andrew Charlton as Labor candidate and member for Parramatta at the 2022 election.