Australian Government Address

Martin was born in Sydney in 1953 and was educated at St Patrick’s, Strathfield. He has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from The University of Sydney.

He was elected to Federal Parliament as the member for Batman in 1996 and served continuously as a Shadow Minister until the election of the Labor Government on 3 December 2007.

He served successively as Shadow Minister for:

1. Employment and Training

2. Employment and Training, Population and Immigration and Assistant to the Leader on Multicultural Affairs

3. Employment, Training and Population

4. Regional Development, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Population

5. Regional and Urban Development, Transport and Infrastructure

6. Regional Development, Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism

7. Urban and Regional Development, Transport and Infrastructure

8. Primary Industries, Resources and Tourism

9. Primary Industries, Resources, Forestry and Tourism

10. Transport, Roads and Tourism

Previously, he was President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU ) after working for the Federated Miscellaneous Workers’ Union of Australia since 1975. As president of the ACTU, he was a member of advisory councils and foundations including the Social Security Review, the Economic Planning Advisory Council, the National Labour Consultative Council and the Advance Australia Foundation.

He was also a member of the ILO Governing Body from 1990–96.

Martin and his wife Patricia have two children. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 1996.