Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

Senator The Honourable
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
Minister for International Development and the Pacific
In office
18 February 2016 (2016-02-18) – 21 August 2018 (2018-08-21)
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by Steven Ciobo
Succeeded by Vacant
Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs
In office
September 2015 – 18 February 2016 (2016-02-18)
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by New ministerial post
Succeeded by Craig Laundy
Senator for New South Wales
Assumed office
5 May 2005
Preceded by John Tierney
Personal details
Born (1960-05-20) 20 May 1960
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s) John Wells
Alma mater Australian National University
Profession Solicitor

Concetta Anna Fierravanti-Wells (born 20 May 1960) is an Australian politician. She is a Senator for the state of New South Wales representing the Liberal Party since May 2005. Fierravanti-Wells was Minister for International Development and the Pacific in the Turnbull Government.[1] She has previously served as the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs between September 2015 and February 2016. Fierravanti-Wells was elected to the Senate at the 2004 federal election.

Background and early career

Fierravanti-Wells was born in Wollongong, New South Wales.[2] Both her parents were Italian immigrants born in Calitri in the Province of Avellino.[3][4] She was educated at the Australian National University. She was a Legal Officer, Australian Government Solicitor, Canberra 1984-86, Legal Officer, then Senior Legal Officer, Australian Government Solicitor, Sydney 1986-90 and Acting Principal Legal Officer, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service 1990. She was a Policy Advisor to Jim Carlton, then Shadow Minister for Policy Co-ordination and Development 1990-1993, and Senior Private Secretary to John Fahey, then Premier of New South Wales, 1993- 1994. She was a Senior Lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor in Sydney 1994-2004.[5]

Political career

Fierraanti-Wells in 2015

Fierravanti-Wells has been a member of the Federal Council of the Liberal Party; is an active member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy; and is on the committee of a new Liberal Party publication, The Conservative. She opposes same-sex marriage and adoption, claiming in a 2012 interview that many LGBT people do not "even intend on staying in a monogamous relationship".[6]

Normally she would have taken her seat on 1 July 2005, however following the resignation of Senator John Tierney in April (his term was due to expire on 30 June), Fierravanti-Wells was appointed to the resulting vacancy, and took her seat on 5 May.

Prior to the 2013 federal election, she was the Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing; and was appointed to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Services from September 2013. During the Turnbull cabinet re-shuffle, Fierravanti-Wells was appointed as Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, an outer ministry position.[7]

On 13 February 2016, it was announced that Fierravanti-Wells would be appointed Minister for International Development and the Pacific following a rearrangement in the First Turnbull Ministry.[8] In April 2018, speaking at the Overseas Development Institute in London, Fierravanti-Wells said increasing Australia's foreign aid commitment was opposed by most in the country. “In Australia we had some research done where it showed that about 80% of Australians believe that we should not be spending more on foreign aid or that what we spend is about right.” In 2018, Australia’s foreign aid commitment stood at $3.9bn,[9] its lowest ever level as a proportion of the budget: 0.22% of gross national income.[10]

Fierravanti-Wells is a public opponent of same sex marriage, and was one of twelve senators who voted against what became the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017.[11]

Fierravanti-Wells resigned from the ministry on 21 August 2018, following the Liberal Party leadership spill that day.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony". Events. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  2. ↑ http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=(Id:handbook/allmps/e4t);
  3. ↑ http://www.senatorcfw.com.au/IntheSenate/FirstSpeech.aspx
  4. ↑ "Citizenship Register". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  5. ↑ Parliament of Australia: Senators and Members: Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells
  6. ↑ McIlwain, Kate (21 September 2012). "Gay couples 'not interested in monogamy'". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Turnbull cabinet reshuffle: who's going where". ABC News. Australia.
  8. ↑ Massola, James (13 February 2016). "Cabinet reshuffle: Malcolm Turnbull announces new frontbench as Mal Brough resigns". The Age. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Hunter, Fergus (2017-05-11). "Julie Bishop says foreign aid will stay in freezer until budget reaches surplus". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  10. ↑ Doherty, Ben (2018-04-17). "Australian minister claims foreign aid spending too unpopular to increase". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  11. ↑ "Senate passes same-sex marriage bill". News.com.au. News Limited. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  12. ↑ Pearson, Andrew (21 August 2018). "Wollongong-based Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells resigns". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
John Tierney		 Senator for New South Wales
2005–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Steve Ciobo		 Minister for International Development and the Pacific
2016–present		 Incumbent
New ministerial post Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs
2015-2106		 Succeeded by
Craig Laundy
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