Brendan O’Connor has had a long and distinguished career in the Australian parliament, holding many ministerial portfolios, including that of Home Affairs, Employment, Skills and Training, Immigration, Justice, Housing and Small Business. 

He also held the shadow portfolios of Defence, Workplace Relations and Industry. 

First elected in 2001 Brendan retired from parliament in 2025 and, since then, has accepted a role as Professor of Practice at RMIT University and as Deputy Chair of the European Australian Business Council.