16 Facts About Terri Butler

Terri Megan Butler was born on 28 November 1977 and is an Australian public servant and former politician.

Terri Butler was a member of the House of Representatives from 2014 to 2022, representing the seat of Griffith for the Australian Labor Party.

Terri Butler worked as an industrial lawyer prior to entering parliament and in 2024 was appointed as a deputy president of the Fair Work Commission.

Terri Butler completed her articles of clerkship in 2003 and subsequently worked as an industrial lawyer.

Terri Butler undertook further study at Melbourne Business School and had begun a Master of Laws degree at the University of Queensland.

Terri Butler was secretary of the party's Yeronga branch, chair of the state party's rules committee, a member of the National Policy Forum, and a delegate to state and national conference.

Terri Butler was elected to the House of Representatives at the 2014 Griffith by-election, caused by the resignation of former prime minister Kevin Rudd.

Terri Butler won the seat with a 51.8 percent two-party vote against Liberal National Party candidate Bill Glasson, a swing against the ALP of 1.2 points.

Terri Butler is a member of the Labor Left faction, unlike Rudd who was from the Labor Unity.

Terri Butler was re-elected at the 2016 and 2019 federal elections.

Terri Butler was promoted to shadow parliamentary secretary in October 2015 and to shadow minister in July 2016.

In September 2015, Terri Butler led public opposition to anti-abortion activist Troy Newman entering Australia.

Terri Butler wrote to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and requested he ask his department to consider cancellation of Newman's visa, which was revoked.

At the 2022 federal election, Terri Butler lost her seat of Griffith to Max Chandler-Mather of the Australian Greens, despite the ALP receiving a nationwide positive swing and forming a majority government.

On 21 December 2023, the Queensland Government announced that Terri Butler had been appointed as a Commissioner of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Terri Butler has two children with her husband Troy Spence, a former Australian Workers' Union organiser.