King said she was ready to pull on the safety boots and get to work in a recent Twitter post.
“As the first female Federal Infrastructure Minister and as part of a diverse ministry, I can’t wait to get to work with my state and territory colleagues,” she said.
First elected to Federal Parliament in 2001 to represent the electorate of Ballarat, King has been re-elected as member at each subsequent Federal Election.
Civil Contractors Federation National (CCF) has welcomed the appointment of King as the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
“CCF congratulates Ms. King on her appointment and looks forward to working with her and the Government in addressing ongoing infrastructure investment and policy reforms to further strengthen the sector’s ability to contribute to Australia’s economic growth,” said Chris Melham, Chief Executive Officer, CCF.
King has held senior roles in both Opposition and Government relating to the transport and infrastructure portfolio and therefore has extensive experience and understanding of the challenges, opportunities and solutions facing the civil infrastructure sector.
In addition, King was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the portfolios of Health and Ageing and Infrastructure and Transport in the Gillard Government following the 2010 election.
On 25 March 2013, King was elevated to the roles of Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories and Minister for Road Safety in the Gillard Government. She was subsequently promoted to Cabinet on 1 July 2013, as Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories in the Rudd Government.
On 18 October 2013, King was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Health in the Shadow Cabinet led by Bill Shorten. Following the 2019 election, she was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development in the Shadow Cabinet led by Anthony Albanese.