Martin Ferguson - Definition

Martin Ferguson

Martin John Ferguson, AM (born 12 December 1953), Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Batman, Victoria. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, the son of Jack Ferguson, who was Deputy Premier of New South Wales 1976-84. He is the brother of Laurie Ferguson, also a federal MP.

Ferguson was educated at Sydney University and was successively research officer, Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary of the Miscellaneous Workers' Union, a member of the executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) 1984-90. He was Vice-President of the ACTU 1985-90 and President of the ACTU 1990-96. He was a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation 1990-96. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996.

Name was elected to the Opposition Shadow Ministry in March 1996 and was Shadow Minister for Regional and Urban Development and Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure 2001-04. He has been Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Resources and Tourism since October 2004.