Full Name: Richard Donald Marles
Date of Birth: 13 July 1967
Place of Birth: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Current Position: Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence, Federal Member for Corio
Political Party: Australian Labor Party (ALP)

Early Life and Education
Richard Marles was born in Geelong, Victoria, to Donald Marles, a former headmaster, and Fay Marles, Victoria’s first Equal Opportunity Commissioner and later Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. He attended Geelong Grammar School, where he excelled academically and developed a passion for leadership.

Marles pursued higher education at the University of Melbourne, residing at Ormond College. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours. His time at university saw him actively engaged in student politics, joining the Melbourne University Labor Club in his first week and later serving as the president of the Melbourne University Student Union in 1988. He was also the General Secretary of the National Union of Students in 1989.

Following his studies, Marles began his career as a solicitor at Slater and Gordon, an industrial law firm. He later became the legal officer for the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and was elected as the TWU’s National Assistant Secretary in 1998. In 2000, he joined the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) as Assistant Secretary, a position he held until 2007.

Political Career
Entry into Politics
Marles entered politics by contesting for preselection in the Division of Corio, challenging incumbent MP Gavan O’Connor in March 2006. He secured preselection with a significant majority and was elected to the House of Representatives on 24 November 2007, when Labor returned to power under Kevin Rudd.

Ministerial Roles
Marles’s early political career included various roles:

• Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (2008-2009).
• Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry (2009-2010).
• Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs (2010-2011).
• Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs (2012).
• Minister for Trade (June 2013), following Kevin Rudd’s leadership return.

Deputy Leadership
In May 2019, following Labor’s loss in the federal election, Marles was elected as the deputy leader of the ALP and appointed Shadow Minister for Defence. He later oversaw a “super portfolio” related to COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Deputy Prime Minister
Following the ALP’s victory in the 2022 federal election, Marles was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. He played a pivotal role during the transition of power, acting as Prime Minister during Anthony Albanese’s overseas commitments.

Political Positions
Marles has been recognized for his strong stance on various issues:

• National Defence: Advocating for a robust defence policy and maintaining bipartisan support on national security matters.
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: He supports turning back boats of asylum seekers and endorses a Pacific Solution for refugee resettlement.
• Population Growth: He advocates for higher population growth as beneficial for the economy.
• Environmental Policies: Initially supportive of transitioning away from thermal coal, he later moderated his stance, indicating a balance between market decisions and environmental responsibility.

Personal Life
Richard Marles resides in Geelong with his wife, Rachel Schutze, and their four children: Sam, Isabella, Harvey, and Georgia. He also has a child from his previous marriage to Lisa Neville, a prominent figure in Victorian politics.

A passionate supporter of the Geelong Football Club, Marles is also an avid golfer, photography enthusiast, snowdome collector, and local history buff.

Legacy and Current Focus
As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Marles focuses on strengthening Australia’s defence capabilities and enhancing international relations, particularly in the context of Indo-Pacific security dynamics. His leadership style reflects a commitment to progressive Labor values while addressing contemporary challenges facing Australia on both domestic and global fronts.