Biography

Parliamentary service

• State: Elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Swansea, 1995. Resigned 1.9.1998 to contest the House of Representatives division of Shortland, New South Wales.
• Federal: Elected to the House of Representatives for Shortland, New South Wales, 1998. Re-elected 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 27.5.2013 to 5.8.2013.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Family and Community Affairs served from 8.12.1998 to 8.10.2001; Ageing served as Deputy Chair from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Employment and Workplace Relations served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Selection served from 17.11.2004 to 17.10.2007; House served from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Transport and Regional Services served from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Employment, Workplace Relations and Workforce Participation served from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Health and Ageing served as Deputy Chair from 2.12.2004 to 6.12.2006; Health and Ageing served from 19.2.2008 to 26.11.2012; Publications served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Employment and Workplace Relations served from 19.2.2008 to 18.6.2009; Selection served from 30.9.2010 to 5.8.2013; House served from 25.10.2010 to 27.11.2012; Appropriations and Administration served from 25.10.2010 to 9.5.2016; Climate Change, Environment and the Arts served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Procedure served from 7.2.2012 to 9.5.2016; Health and Ageing served as Chair from 27.11.2012 to 5.8.2013; Health served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Petitions served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; House served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Selection served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Select: Republic Referendum served from 9.6.1999 to 9.8.1999; DisabilityCare Australia served from 19.6.2013 to 5.8.2013
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 25.6.2002 to 19.8.2002; Treaties served from 18.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Parliamentary Library served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Statutory: Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity served from 27.3.2007 to 17.10.2007; Public Works served from 15.6.2009 to 19.7.2010; Public Works served from 14.3.2012 to 5.8.2013

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 03.10.1998 to 09.05.2016
• Chair of the Australian Labor Party Parliamentary Caucus from 2001 to 2004.
• Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives from 22.10.2004 to 17.10.2007.
• Government Whip in the House of Representatives from 3.12.2007 to 27.11.2012.
• Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives from 14.10.2013 to 9.5.2016.

Personal

• Born: 16.11.1949, Macksville, Australia
• Gender: Female

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (University of Newcastle).
• Rehabilitation counsellor.

State/Territory Government service

• Elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Swansea, 1995. Resigned 1.9.1998 to contest the House of Representatives division of Shortland, New South Wales.

Local Government service

• Councillor, Lake Macquarie City Council from 1991 to 1995.
• Deputy Mayor, Lake Macquarie City Council from 1993 to 1994.

Electorate

• Name: Shortland
• Location: southern Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales; it includes the centres of Belmont, Budgewoi, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach, Chain Valley Bay, Charlestown, Dudley, Eleebana, Floraville, Gateshead, Gwandalan, Halekulani, Highfields, Jewells, Kahibah, Kotara South, Lake Haven, Lake Munmorah, Mannering Park, Nords Wharf, Redhead, San Remo, Summerland Point, Swansea, Tingira Heights, Valentine, Whitebridge, Windale and parts of Doyalson, Gorokan, Hillsborough and Warners Bay.
• Area: 205 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 96,947 (at 7.9.2013)
• Industries: coal mining, tourism, fishing, power stations, building industry and poultry farming.
• Includes: Shortland includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Swansea, and parts of Charlestown and Wyong.