About Martin
Federal Member for Batman
Martin Ferguson was first elected to the Federal Parliament in March 1996.
Since being elected, Martin has served as a member of Labor’s front bench. Initially he was Shadow Minister for Employment and Training. He has also occupied the positions of Shadow Minister for Employment, Training, Population and Immigration; Shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Population; Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Population; Shadow Minister for Regional and Urban Development, Transport and Infrastructure; Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Resources, Forestry and Tourism and Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism. Following the Australian Labor Party’s win in 2007, Martin was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism until 25th March 2013.
Martin has served on a number of Parliamentary Committees, including the House of Representatives Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Committee, the Employment and Training Committee, the Industry and Resources Committee and the Procedures and Privileges Committee.
Prior to entering Parliament, Martin was the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (1990-96) and vice-president (1985-90).
Martin joined the ACTU after fifteen years service with the then Miscellaneous Workers’ Union. During this period, he worked as a Research Officer, was elected Assistant General Secretary in 1981 and finally as General Secretary in 1984.
From 1990-96, Martin was a member of the governing body of the International Labor Organisation.
He received an Order of Australia in June 1996 for his contribution to working people.
Martin has an Honours Degree in Economics from Sydney University. He is married and has two adult children. Martin and his family live in Melbourne.