Asia Society Australia is pleased to invite you to an Executive Briefing with Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Senator for South Australia.

This briefing is part of our new corporate member event series The Bigger Picture, which brings together senior government and business leaders in a small closed-door forum to discuss the key issues shaping Australia’s prosperity and security in Asia.

Senator Birmingham will offer a perspective from the Opposition on the current geopolitical landscape in Asia and foreign policy challenges Australia is facing in the region. He will reflect on the importance of Australia’s alliances, the need for regional stability and economic prosperity. 

Following his remarks, participants will be invited to ask questions and share their views. 

Date: Wednesday 7 August 2024

Time: 12:00 pm arrival for drinks and networking followed by a 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm briefing over lunch.

Venue: Melbourne

This event is strictly invitation-only and will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule. Registration is essential as tickets are limited. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected].

This Executive Briefing is hosted by Norton Rose Fulbright.

About our speaker

Senator Birmingham grew up near Gawler in Adelaide’s north on his family’s small horse agistment property and was educated at local schools before going on to study at the University of Adelaide where he completed a Masters of Business Administration. 

Prior to entering the Senate, Senator Birmingham worked for a number of industry bodies, establishing particular experience in the wine, tourism and hospitality sectors – industries that are critical to South Australia’s prosperity.                                                       

After less than three years in the Senate he was appointed to the Shadow Ministry, serving as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray-Darling Basin and the Environment until the 2013 election. Following the change of government in 2013 Senator Birmingham served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, with responsibility for water policy, including the Murray-Darling Basin, National Parks and the Bureau of Meteorology. 

In 2014 the Senator was appointed to serve as the Assistant Minister for Education and Training in the Abbott Ministry, with specific responsibility for vocational education, apprenticeships, training and skills. He then went on to become Minister for Education and Training in the Turnbull government in September 2015 and was made Manager of Government Business in the Senate in February 2018. 

Under the Morrison Government, Senator Birmingham was appointed as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate in August 2018. He was then appointed as Minister for Finance in October 2020 while also having the responsibility as Leader of the Government in the Senate. Following the 2022 federal election, Senator Birmingham was appointed Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. 

Senator Birmingham is married to Courtney and together they have two young daughters, Matilda and Amelia. He is an active advocate for mental health and ovarian cancer and is a proud Adelaide Crows fan.