About Simon
Simon Birmingham is the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Shadow Foreign Secretary.
He has been a Liberal Party senator for South Australia since May 2007 and has held a number of senior ministerial posts.
During the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments, he held key portfolios including Minister for Education, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Minister for Finance.
Simon has also served as both Deputy Leader and Government Leader in the Senate.
Simon grew up near Gowler in Adelaide’s north on his family’s small horse property and was educated at local schools before going on to study at the University of Adelaide where he completed an MBA.
Prior to entering the Senate, Simon worked for a number of industry bodies, gaining particular expertise in the wine, tourism and hospitality sectors – industries that are critical to South Australia’s prosperity.
After less than three years in the Senate, Simon was appointed to the Shadow Ministry, serving as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray-Darling Basin and Environment until the 2013 election.
Simon is married to Courtney and together they have two young daughters, Matilda and Amelia. Simon is an active advocate for mental health and ovarian cancer and is a proud Adelaide Crows fan.
