Profile

Profile of The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform, Minister for Housing and Homelessness.

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On 14 December 2011, Minister Butler was appointed as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform.

This site also contains the content prior to 14 December 2011, covering Minister Butler's previous responsibilities as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing; and as Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

Mark Butler was elected to Federal Parliament in 2007 representing the electorate of Port Adelaide. In 2009 Mark was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Health and in September 2010, he was appointed the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing.

In December 2011, Mark was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform.

Before entering Parliament, Mark worked for 15 years in the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (now United Voice) - including 11 years as State Secretary – representing thousands of workers within aged care, and many other sectors. Mark was a Member of the South Australian Social Inclusion Board during its major review of the South Australian mental health system and served on a number of other boards in areas including tourism, gambling and vocational training.

In 1997, Mark was elected President of the ALP in South Australia, and has been a Member of the ALP National Executive and National Executive Committee since 2000.

He holds a First Class Honours Law degree, an Arts degree and a Masters degree in International Relations and was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2002 for services to trade unionism.

Mark lives in Woodville Park with his wife and two children, and is a keen supporter of AFL team, Port Power.