Ms Amanda Vanstone

Ambassador to Italy

Biography

Ms Vanstone entered Federal Parliament in 1984, as a Senator for South Australia and was re-elected in 1987, 1993, 1998 and 2004.

She served as Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (1996-97), Minister for Justice (1997-98) Minister for Justice and Customs (1998-2001), Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women (2001-03), Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2003-06), Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation (2003-04), Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs (2004-06) and Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (2006-07).

Prior to entering Parliament, Ms Vanstone worked as a legal practitioner and ran small retail and wholesale businesses.

She was educated at the University of Adelaide, where she completed both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees.  She also has a Marketing Studies Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.