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A decisive, hardworking Member of Parliament.
Bernie Ripoll was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 and re-elected with an increased majority at each subsequent election of 2001, 2004 and 2007 during three electoral redistributions. He was recently returned fro a fifth term at the 2010 Federal Election.
Since Labor returned to Government in 2007, Bernie has been the Chair of the Corporations and Financial Services Joint Statutory Committee. The committee plays an integral role on the reporting and activities of ASIC and the operations of the corporations legislation as well as undertaking national inquires in matters of relevance to the operation of associated legislation. This committee has already tabled a number of reports including an inquiry into the franchise sector, the substantial inquiry into the Financial Services industry (The Ripoll Report) and most recently an inquiry into access of small and medium enterprises to finance.
Prior to the election of the Labor Government, Bernie actively contributed to national policy through his roles as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Infrastructure, Industrial Relations and Innovation. |
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Above: Bernie, Margy and their three children |
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Since being elected to Parliament in 1998, Bernie has served on numerous Parliamentary Committees including Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Public Works, Migration, Transport and Regional Services, Treaties, and well as a number of Caucus Committees including Labor’s National Security Committee. This has enabled Bernie to forge a solid understanding in a number of key policy portfolios.
Before being elected to Parliament, Bernie completed an electrical trade qualification, was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force and received his marketing degree through the Queensland University of Technology. After and during the completion of his tertiary qualifications Bernie represented students at a number of local and national levels as well as setting up a marketing and design business.
Bernie then began representing workers as an organiser with the State Public Services Federation of Queensland.
In his local community, Bernie is founder of the Brisbane to Ipswich annual charity bike ride for which he fulfils the role of patron and organiser and has raised funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital and Ipswich Hospital Foundations. He is a passionate ambassador for cycling and its inherent lifestyle benefits and has been formally recognised by the Cycling Promotion Fund for his advocacy over many years for cycling infrastructure and active transport alternatives.
Bernie’s policy interests include the developing and emerging issues of sustainable cities, alternative transport and infrastructure. Bernie is also the co‐chair of Labor’s Friends of Sustainable Cities – a group of like-minded members of parliament who believe in a strategic and coordinated approach to development in our cities.
Bernie is also the chair of the Sustainable Australia Caucus Committee. This committee plays an integral role in policy development and provides links between Cabinet Committees and the Parliamentary Committees. The committee provides input and receives feedback across areas such as Regional Development, Sustainable Population, Water and Climate Change.
Bernie Ripoll is committed to being a decisive, hardworking Member of Parliament who stands up for the local community and will always pursue public policies which are in the long-term interest of all Australians. Current Member Details: See the Parliament of Australia website
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