Margaret Kidd PSM holds the dual role of Minister-Counsellor (Employment), as part of Australia’s permanent delegation to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Australia’s Representative to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These positions sit within the Australian Government Department of Employment.

Prior to her appointment to this role, Margaret held senior positions in the Australian Employment, Education and Workplace Relations portfolio across policy, program, research and corporate functions.

Margaret has extensive experience and expertise in designing, implementing and evaluating labour market policies and programs. She has led the development of many of Australia’s employment services models, including Job Services Australia, the Remote Jobs and Communities Program and the Youth Employment Strategy. Margaret also led the Australian Government’s employment response to the Global Financial Crisis.

Margaret has extensive international experience, including as co-chair of the G20 Taskforce on Employment under the Russian, Australian and Turkish Presidencies.  In 2014, Margaret led the work that resulted in G20 leaders agreeing to a commitment to reduce the gap between male and female labour force participation by 25% by 2025, for which she received a Public Service Medal in January 2016.

Prior to joining the Department of Employment, Margaret has worked in a number of other public sector organisations including the Department of Finance and Administration and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Margaret has qualifications in pure mathematics, statistics and economics from the Australian National University.