Craig Emerson

Early life

Emerson was born in Baradine, New South Wales and raised Catholic. He was educated at St Patrick's College, Strathfield and the University of Sydney where he graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and a Master of Economics. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the Australian National University.

Career

In the past Emerson has variously been an economic analyst with the United Nations, an economic adviser to the Minister for Resources and Energy and the Minister for Finance Senator Peter Walsh, an Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and economic and environmental adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke. He became Director-General of the Queensland Department of Environment in 1990. He was chief executive officer of the South East Queensland Transit Authority from 1995-96.

Following the defeat of the Goss Government in 1996, Emerson set up a small business partnership, Eco Managers, with former economic adviser to Wayne Goss, Raymond Garrand. They advised various clients on electricity supply issues in Queensland and global petroleum companies on energy policy.

Emerson was appointed Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism from 2001 to 2003, and then Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations and the Public Service from 2003 to 2004. Emerson was relegated to the backbench following the 2004 federal election, having supported Simon Crean and Mark Latham in leadership ballots against the wishes of his Right faction in Queensland. While on the backbench he wrote a book, Viral Signs, Vibrant Society, proposing new economic and social policies for the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. Following the election of Kevin Rudd as Leader of the Labor Party and Julia Gillard as Deputy Leader in December 2006, Emerson was appointed Shadow Minister for the Service Economy, Small Business and Independent Contractors.

On 3 December 2007, Emerson was named Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy and Minister Assisting the Finance Minister on Deregulation in the newly elected Rudd ministry. In June 2009, he was also appointed Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs.

On 14 September 2010, Emerson was appointed the Minister for Trade, expanded to Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in a ministerial reshuffle announced on 2 March 2012.

On 29 October 2012, Emerson was assigned the role of Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Asian Century Policy.

In a further reshuffle of ministerial responsibilities in March 2013, Emerson gained an additional portfolio as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research.

Following a leadership spill for the position of Leader of the Australian Labor Party in June 2013 Emerson resigned his ministerial portfolios and said he would not contest his seat at the next election.

After leaving parliament, Emerson established an economic consulting firm, Craig Emerson Economics Pty Ltd. His clients have included Wesfarmers, Coles, AGL Energy, Santos, the BCA, the ACTU and the PNG Government. Emerson is an adviser to KPMG. He is also a regular presenter on Sky News Australia.

In 2014 Emerson was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Victoria University. He is a member of the CEDA Council on Economic Policy and is Chair of the Advisory Board, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology. Emerson is also President of the Australia China Business Council NSW.

Personal life

Emerson was in a relationship with Julia Gillard in 2002 while they were both members of Parliament, prior to her rise to the prime ministership. He has three adult children from his former marriage.