Marlene Kairouz

Marlene Kairouz (born 2 March 1975) is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2008.

Kairouz was born in Thornbury, Victoria. Her parents are Maronite Christians from Lebanon and migrated to Australia two years prior to her birth.

Kairouz was educated at St Mary's Primary School in Thornbury from 1980 to 1986 and Santa Maria Girls College, Northcote from 1987 to 1992. She holds a Diploma of Health, Medical Laboratory Science from RMIT and worked as a histologist prior to working at the Australian Workers Union and becoming active in politics.

Kairouz was first elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2008 Kororoit by-election, triggered by the resignation of former minister Andre Haermeyer. Kairouz polled over 15000 votes, with her nearest rival Les Twentyman receiving just over 6000 votes.

Prior to entering state politics she was elected to the City of Darebin in 1998, serving as mayor from 2001 to 2002 and again from 2006 to 2007. Marlene was an official with the Victorian branch of the Shop Assistants Union from 2004 and was promoted to become an organiser in 2005 before her election to Parliament. Marlene has been a state and national Australian Labor Party conference delegate and is the Junior Vice President of the Victorian ALP.

In Parliament, Kairouz voted against the Assisted Reproduction Bill saying "Bringing a child into the world without ever having the opportunity to meet both its parents shows disregard for its wellbeing, its needs and dignity." Kairouz was also active opposing abortion laws in Victoria, proposed a twenty week limit on abortions, which was rejected.

She was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to local government in 2001.

External links

• Parliament of Victoria biography

Victorian Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Andre Haermeyer	Member for Kororoit 2008–present	Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Kairouz, Marlene
Alternative names
Short description	Australian politician
Date of birth	2 March 1975
Place of birth	Thornbury, Victoria
Date of death	living
Place of death