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Ed Husic (born 3 February 1970) is a little known Australian politician who is a member of the Australian House of Representatives, elected to represent the seat of Chifley in western Sydney for the Australian Labor Party at the 2010 federal election.

Early life and education

Husic was born in Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs, to Bosnian immigrant parents, and describes himself as a Muslim who does not involve himself with the activities which are part of the faith. His family background has gained media attention at various times, most notably when he stood as a candidate for Greenway at the 2004 federal election. He is the first Muslim to be elected to federal parliament.

Husic was raised in Western Sydney and was educated at Blacktown South Public School, Mitchell High School and the University of Western Sydney, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Communications.

Early career and union involvement

In the 1990s, Husic worked as a research officer for the member for Chifley, Roger Price. Husic was first elected as a branch organiser in 1997. In 1998, he was elected as vice-president of the Communications Division of the CEPU. From 1999 to 2003, he worked for Integral Energy as a communications manager. In July 2006, he became the secretary of the Communications Division of the CEPU. He was the national president of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union of Australia (CEPU) and the divisional secretary of the CEPU (Communications Division) prior to being elected to federal parliament.

Political career

Husic unsuccessfully contested the federal seat of Greenway at the 2004 federal election, representing the Labor Party. Husic lost to Liberal candidate Louise Markus. Following the decision by Roger Price not to run for re-election, Husic contested and won the safe Labor seat of Chifley in 2010.

When Kevin Rudd announced the Second Rudd Ministry in 2013, Husic became the first Muslim sworn onto the Australian federal government frontbench, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Parliamentary Secretary for Broadband, taking his oath on the Quran.

Husic was the primary advocate for an parliamentary investigation into the Australia Tax, a term used to describe the significant price difference for certain IT products compared to overseas markets.

Husic supports same-sex marriage, and is good friends with Josh Frydenberg.

References

1. ^ Wilson, Lauren (28 September 2010). "New MP is first in Australia to be sworn in with Koran". The Australian.
2. ^ Green, Antony. "Chifley". The Green Guide – 2010 Federal Election. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
3. ^ "Division of Chifley – First Preferences and Two Candidate Preferred". 2010 Australian federal election. Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
4. Black, Sophie, ed. (2010). "Chifley". Crikey's 2010 Federal election form guide. Private Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
5. Sheehan, Paul (27 September 2004). "Candidate's silence could speak volumes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
6. ^ "Senate Journal No. 145 – 12 June 2007". Hansard. Australian Parliament. 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
7. "Our National Officials". Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
8. Coorey, Phillip (20 March 2010). "Labor's Price to resign at next election". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
9. "Ed Husic becomes first Muslim frontbencher". The Australian. 1 July 2013.
10. Olding, Rachel (2 July 2013). "'Shame, shame, shame': Australia's first Muslim frontbencher abused for taking oath on Koran". The Age. Melbourne.
11. Smith, Paul (29 July 2014). "Online piracy fuelled by 'Australia Tax' price gouging". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
12. Massola, James (4 May 2015). "Support for same-sex marriage grows in the ALP as MP Ed Husic switches position". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
13. Knott, Matthew; Peatling, Stephanie (14 June 2015). "Political friendships cross party lines". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2015.

• 1970 births
• Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Australia
• Australian Muslims
• Australian people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent
• Australian people of Bosniak descent
• Living people
• Members of the Australian House of Representatives
• Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Chifley
• University of Western Sydney alumni