My mum and dad never even dreamt of going to university. They grew up at a time when most working-class kids in Western Sydney didn’t even finish school. We are a different country today.
My mum and dad never even dreamt of going to university. They grew up at a time when most working-class kids in Western Sydney didn’t even finish school. We are a different country today.
Jason’s story
Jason is the Minister for Education and has represented the Blaxland electorate of Western Sydney since 2007.
He has previously served as a Minister in the Rudd and Gillard Labor Governments, where he was Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Justice, Minister for Defence Materiel and Cabinet Secretary.
Before entering Parliament, Jason was the Manager of Corporate Relations at Transurban and a Senior Adviser to the Premier of NSW, the Hon. Bob Carr. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW.
He attended Cabramatta Public School and Canley Vale High School. Jason’s most important job is being Louise’s husband and Atticus and Jack’s dad.
"The power of education"
I was the first in my family to finish high school and the first to go to university. The Australia that existed before Gough Whitlam did not give my parents the same opportunity. They never even dreamt of attending.
In fact, they grew up at a time when most working-class kids in Western Sydney didn’t even finish school. It was the Labor Party that changed that.
At school, I was surrounded by kids who told me stories about boats and pirates and rough seas.
They weren’t figments of their imaginations. They were refugees. For many of them, English wasn’t their first language. But they persevered, worked hard, and made their own success.
I’m still friends with a lot of those kids. And I can tell you today they are partners in law firms, they are pharmacists, multi-million dollar start-up business owners, and lots more.
That’s the power of education.
The electorate of Blaxland
Jason has been the local member for Blaxland since 2007.
In his first speech, he said, “Our education system is the most powerful cause for good in this country. Run well, it can ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.”
“It is the great equaliser in an unequal world. If we are serious about equal opportunity for men and women, for rich and poor, for Indigenous and multicultural Australia, then let it begin with the youngest Australians.”
“Let us be the government that again invests in public education. Let us be the government that ensures postcodes do not determine opportunity. Let us be the government that recognises the importance of teachers to learning outcomes. And let us be the government that unleashes the potential of the next generation.”
