The Australian Women's Register

After receiving her secondary education in Canberra, Gallagher obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Australian National University, graduating in 1990. She was a project worker for the Woden Community Service and from 1994 to 1997 worked for People First ACT, an organisation providing advocacy and support to individuals with an intellectual disability. She has been active in the community and union sectors for over ten years. She has advocated for both adults and children with intellectual disabilities and for the industrial interests of workers as a Community and Public Sector Union national organiser.

Whilst an MLA for the ACT, Gallagher held a variety of portfolios, including Regional Development, Health and Higher Education, Community Services and the Office for Women. She held the positions of Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer before she became Chief Minister in 2011.

As a senator in opposition, Gallagher served as Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on State and Territory Relations. She was promoted to Shadow Minister for Small Business and Financial Services in 2016, the year she was also appointed as Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate. In 2020 she served as Chair of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19. In 2022, she was appointed Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Vice-President of the Executive Council, and Minister for the Public Service in the Labor Government.