Who Is Bill Shorten? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Bill Shorten, born on May 12, 1967, in Melbourne, Australia, is a distinguished former politician who served as the leader of the Australian Labor Party and the Leader of the Opposition from 2013 until 2019. A prominent figure in Australia’s political landscape, Shorten was known for his strong advocacy for workers' rights, economic reform, and climate change action. As of 2025, he is 57 years old and remains influential in various public and media discourses.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1967 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country |
Popularity
Bill Shorten's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Bill Shorten has a tall stature, standing at approximately 6 feet (183 cm). While his exact weight is not publicly disclosed, it is estimated that he weighs around 80 kg (176 lbs), indicating a healthy body weight for his height. The former politician maintains an active lifestyle, which reflects his commitment to wellness.
In early 2015, leading up to Australia Day, Shorten called for a new push for Australia to become a republic.
Former ARM chair Malcolm Turnbull said upon his appointment as Prime Minister in September of the same year he would not pursue "his dream" of Australia becoming a republic until after the end of the Queen's reign, instead focusing his efforts toward the economy.
In July 2017, Shorten revealed that should the Labor Party be elected to government at the 2019 federal election, they would legislate for a compulsory plebiscite on the issue. Should that plebiscite be supported by a majority of Australians, a referendum would be held, asking the public for their support for a specific model of government.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Shorten is married to his wife, Chloe Shorten, with whom he shares two children. The couple has been a significant aspect of his public persona, often appearing together during political campaigns and public events. Prior to his marriage to Chloe, Bill Shorten was previously in a long-term relationship with his former partner, but details about his personal life remain relatively private.
Shorten's mother was a university academic and lawyer who completed a doctorate at Monash University and ended her career there as a senior lecturer in education. She completed a law degree later in life and practised as a barrister for six years.
She was originally from Ballarat, descended from "a long line of Irish Australians" who arrived during the Victorian gold rush. Shorten's father was a marine engineer born in Tyneside, England.
After settling in Australia he worked as a manager at the Duke and Orr Dry Docks on Melbourne's Yarra River, where he was frequently in contact with union leaders. Shorten's parents divorced in 1988 and his father remarried a few years later. He subsequently became estranged from his father, who died in 2000.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Bill Shorten's estimated net worth is around $4 million AUD. His earnings derive not only from his political career but also from various business ventures and investments he has undertaken post-politics. These ventures diversified his income and have contributed significantly to his financial standing. Although specific salary figures are not public, as a former government official, he benefits from pension schemes and other entitlements associated with his lengthy tenure in politics.
Career, Business, and Investments
Bill Shorten's political career is well-documented; however, his transition into the business sector post-parliament has been noteworthy. Following his tenure as Labor leader, he has taken on advisory roles and board memberships in several organizations, focusing on corporate governance and social impact initiatives. In addition to his advisory roles, Shorten has been involved in various investment opportunities, particularly in sustainable businesses aligned with his advocacy for climate change and renewable energy.
In 1985, Shorten began studying at Monash University and also joined the Australian Army Reserve as a private, a position he held until 1987. During his first years at university, he briefly worked in a butcher shop.
Also active in student politics, both in the university's ALP Club and in Young Labor, he helped establish Network, a Labor Right-aligned faction of Young Labor; in 1986 it "took control of Young Labor from the Left for the first time". He volunteered in Senator Gareth Evans' office around this time as well.
After the 1988 Victorian state election, Shorten was employed as a youth affairs adviser to Neil Pope, a Victorian government minister. He took a gap year in 1990, travelling overseas for the first time and backpacking through Central Europe.
He was subsequently involved in Network's abortive attempt to take over the state branch of the Australian Theatrical and Amusement Employees' Association.
Social Network
Bill Shorten remains active on various social media platforms, engaging with followers on themes including politics, social justice, and economic reform. You can find him on:
- Twitter: @BillShortenMP
- Facebook: BillShorten
- Instagram: @bill.short
On 28 February 2006, Sercombe announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy for re-selection, a few days before the vote of local members in which Shorten was expected to poll very strongly. As a result, Shorten was selected unopposed to contest the seat.
Later in 2006, during the Beaconsfield Mine collapse, Shorten, as National Secretary of the AWU, played a role as a negotiator and commentator on developments in the immediate aftermath and the ensuing rescue operations. The mine rescue operations drew mass national media coverage, and raised Shorten's political profile ahead of the 2007 election.
Education
Bill Shorten graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, equipping him with a robust foundation in legal and social principles that guided his political ambitions. His educational background laid the groundwork for his understanding of the intricacies of Australian policy-making and advocacy.
Born in Melbourne, Shorten studied law at Monash University. He worked in politics and in law before becoming an organiser with the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) in 1994. He was elected state secretary of the Victorian Branch of the AWU in 1998 before becoming AWU national secretary in 2001.
In this role, Shorten played a prominent role as a negotiator following the Beaconsfield Mine collapse in 2006, which first brought him to national prominence.
