Marlene Kairouz


Marlene Kairouz is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2008. She was the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation between 2016 and 2020.

Personal life

Kairouz was born in Melbourne, Victoria. Her parents are Maronite Catholics from Lebanon.
Kairouz was educated at St Mary's Primary School in Thornbury from 1980 to 1986, and Santa Maria Girls College, Northcote from 1987 to 1992. She holds a Diploma of Health, Medical Laboratory Science from RMIT and worked as a histologist prior to working at the Australian Workers' Union and becoming active in politics.

Political career

Kairouz was first elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2008 Kororoit by-election, triggered by the resignation of former minister Andre Haermeyer.
Prior to entering state politics she had been elected to the City of Darebin in 1998, serving as mayor from 2001 to 2002 and again from 2006 to 2007. Kairouz was an official with the Victorian branch of the Shop Assistants' Union from 2004, and was promoted to become an organiser in 2005 before her election to Parliament. Kairouz has been a state and national Australian Labor Party conference delegate, and previously served as the Junior Vice-President of the Victorian ALP.
In parliament, Kairouz voted against the Assisted Reproduction Bill saying "Bringing a child into the world without ever having the opportunity to meet both its parents shows disregard for its wellbeing, its needs and dignity." Kairouz was also active in opposing liberalised abortion laws in Victoria, proposing a twenty-week limit on abortions, which was rejected.
In 2001, Kairouz was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to local government.
In June 2016, she was appointed to the Andrews Ministry as Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. In September 2017, she was appointed as the Minister for Local Government.

Racism controversy

In October 2017, Kairouz was embroiled in a controversy regarding her advice not to open doors to Irish people, following claims that a spate of thefts were being caused by travelling con artists with Irish accents. She issued an apology on Twitter. The incident received widespread media coverage in Australia and Ireland.

Branch-stacking allegations

In June 2020, an adviser working for Kairouz was alleged to have facilitated branch-stacking. The adviser is alleged to have obtained money from Adem Somyurek in order to purchase party memberships. Kaioruz has rejected claims she was involved, and the matter has been referred to IBAC and Victoria Police. She resigned from the cabinet on 16 June 2020.