The global path to Parliament for one of the country's newest Labor MPs

Australia Broadcast Center

05-05-2025

In her past life as a lawyer, newly-elected South Australian Labor MP Claire Clutterham acted for the Saudi Arabian Government, an Australian coal mine operator, and a developer building "the world's largest racecourse" in Dubai.
Now, she is preparing to head to Canberra to become the first woman and third Labor MP in history to represent the eastern Adelaide seat of Sturt.
Having secured a more than seven per cent swing in what was an ultra-marginal and blue-ribbon Liberal seat, Ms Clutterham said she defied her party's own polling, which in the lead-up to Saturday's election showed the contest was still a "coin toss" between the major parties.
Election essentials:
Ms Clutterham's ultimately resounding victory in Sturt paved the way for Labor to win all seven metropolitan Adelaide federal seats, and bolstered the Albanese Government's majority in Parliament.
"The magnitude of the win was a pleasant surprise," the MP elect told ABC Radio Adelaide on Monday.
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To get the result that we did was extraordinary.
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But with the election now behind her, what experience will Ms Clutterham bring to Sturt and the broader Labor caucus?
Advising on overseas energy and mining projects
Ms Clutterham grew up in the Riverland and now lives in Adelaide, where she has spent the past few years as a Norwood Payneham and St Peters councillor and Royal Flying Doctor Service board member.
Claire Clutterham says getting the result she did in Sturt was "extraordinary".
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ABC News: Brant Cumming
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She has also worked as a lawyer for 20 years, spending eight of those years working overseas.
Her CV — published online by LK Law — states that between 2008 and 2016, she acted for "government and private enterprises in international arbitration proceedings in the Middle East and Hong Kong".
The document lists several matters on which she worked.
They include negotiating a commercial settlement for a Saudia Arabian "state entity" involved in the construction of an oil pipeline, as well as providing advice to a Kuwaiti "state employer" on a clean fuels project.
The CV states Ms Clutterham also acted for the operator of an Australian coal mine, as well as a "large United Arab Emirates/French company in various disputes relating to cement and oil waste plants".
International work a 'tremendous experience'
Ms Clutterham previously told reporters that she spent most of her time overseas working in Dubai.
"There was a local law firm and a British law firm," she said in March.
"It was a tremendous experience."
Claire Clutterham was supported by SA Premier Peter Malinsuaskas and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the election campaign.
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ABC News: Jason Edwards
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Ms Clutterham's CV also states she represented a "major developer" in relation to a contract dispute "arising out of the construction of the world's largest racecourse development in Dubai".
It states she also represented a Korean contractor involving the construction of an offshore pipeline in Qatar.
In March, Ms Clutterham said her experience working overseas gave her a "really well-rounded perspective and ability to advocate and stand up for anyone".
"I met people and I got to deal with people from all over the world," she said.
"Dubai … is a real melting pot, it's a real hub for business and financial services and there were people with hugely-diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
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What it taught me was to respect and appreciate all perspectives.
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The ABC asked Ms Clutterham where she stood on climate change, a key issue raised by voters in the lead-up to the election.
In a statement she said she looked forward to being a "strong advocate".
"I want to see Australia continue on its path to becoming a renewable energy superpower and leader on climate action — and will work as part of the Albanese government to deliver that," she said.
"I repeatedly spoke during the campaign about the need to expedite the transition to Net Zero and to protect our environment from climate change, including at the local level through community batteries and more green space."
Working closer to home
Ms Clutterham's legal career spans beyond her work overseas.
According to her CV, she also acted for the South Australian Government during the construction of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and taught law courses at the University of Adelaide.
The document states she has also drafted and implemented policies "with respect to modern slavery, whistleblowing, data protection privacy, and acting as privacy officers, including leading the defence of FOI (freedom of information) requests".
Claire Clutterham says she is already looking ahead at how she can retain Sturt in 2028.
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ABC News: Brant Cumming
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Her task now is to deliver on her election promises, including building a freight bypass around Adelaide to help divert trucks off Portrush Road.
In March, the federal Labor government committed $525 million over 10 years to the project, as part of stage one of the High Productivity Vehicle Network (HPVN), in the 2025-26 federal budget.
The State Government is yet to match the funding.
"There's a huge amount of support and impetus to finally get this project done," Ms Clutterham said on Monday.
"(The) State Government will be releasing their budget in June and that will have more information about the extent of the State Government contribution."
Delivering on such promises could be crucial to Ms Clutterham's future in Sturt, with the MP elect already eyeing off the next federal election.
"I'm already thinking what am I going to do to hold this in 2028," she said.
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I don't know if there is any such thing as a safe seat anymore.
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