Chris Bowen

Christopher Eyles "Chris" Bowen (born 17 January 1973), an Australian federal politician, is a member of the Australian House of Representatives, initially elected to represent the seat of Prospect in western Sydney for the Australian Labor Party at the 2004 federal election. Bowen was re-elected at the 2007 federal election and, at the 2010 federal election, elected to represent the seat of McMahon, following the abolition of the seat of Prospect.

Early years and background

Bowen was educated at Smithfield Public School, St Johns Park High School and the University of Sydney, where he graduated with an undergraduate degree in Economics. He was elected to Fairfield City Council in 1995 and was Mayor of Fairfield in 1998 and 1999. He was elected President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) in 1999 and served as President until 2001. Bowen has openly stated that he is an atheist.

Political career

In 2004, Bowen was elected to the House of Representatives replacing Janice Crosio after she retired after 25 years in both state and federal politics.

In 2006, Bowen was appointed to the Labor front bench as Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Revenue and Competition Policy. In December 2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd appointed him Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs. In June 2009 Bowen was promoted to cabinet as Minister for Financial...
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