Gago was born in Mooroopna, Victoria, and completed her secondary education at Shepparton High School. After high school, Gago studied at Phillip Institute of Technology and the Austin Hospital where she graduated as a registered nurse, later completing a Bachelor of Science at Monash University, majoring in psychology. In 1987, Gago and her husband Peter moved to South Australia, where she worked as a nurse at Salisbury Private Hospital for two years. In 1988 Gago started working with the Australian Nursing Federation for 12 years, first as an organiser, later becoming assistant secretary and branch secretary. As a member of the ANF, Gago was part of many campaigns to improve patient care, access to health services, wages and conditions for workers. She has participated in and contributed to a range of state and federal health and industrial relations forums. Gago has held membership of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party since 1991, contributing to policy committees and serving as state convention delegate, state executive member and national conference attendee. Gago is from the Labor Left faction.
Parliament
Gago was elected to the Legislative Council from first position on the Labor ticket at the 2002 election and from second position on the Labor ticket at the 2010 election. After the resignation from Cabinet of Bernard Finnigan, Gago became acting Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. She was also the only Minister in the Upper House. On 17 May 2011, the Labor Caucus elected Gago the state's first woman leader of the Legislative Council. Gago was also the state's first female Acting Premier of South Australia. Following the second term election of the Labor government in March 2006, Gago was appointed Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health. On 24 July 2008, Gago was appointed Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises and Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy. On 8 February 2011, Gago was appointed Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Government Enterprises. On 21 April 2011, Gago was appointed Minister for Gambling. On 21 October 2011, Gago was appointed Minister for Agriculture Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism and Minister for the Status of Women. On 21 January 2013, Gago was appointed Minister for Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women and Minister for State/Local Government Relations. Following the 2014 election, Gago was appointed Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, and Minister for Business Services and Consumers in the Weatherill Labor cabinet. Gago announced her resignation from cabinet on 15 January 2016, citing cabinet renewal. Gago also announced that she would be retiring from parliament as of the 2018 election.
Personal life
Gago is married to Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago. She is also the sister of former Victorian state Labor member Kaye Darveniza. An advocate for healthy living, Gago's interests include bushwalking and running.
