Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the Senate for New South Wales 2001. Re-elected 2007. Defeated at general elections 2013.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 7.7.2011 to 30.6.2014.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary for the Voluntary Sector from 3.12.2007 to 14.9.2010.
• Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion from 3.12.2007 to 14.9.2010.
• Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister for Social Inclusion from 3.12.2007 to 25.2.2009.

Committee service

• Joint Select: DisabilityCare Australia served from 18.6.2013 to 5.8.2013
• Joint Standing: Treaties served from 1.7.2002 to 1.7.2005; National Broadband Network served from 24.3.2011 to 16.3.2012; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 1.7.2011 to 30.6.2014; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 4.12.2013 to 30.6.2014
• Joint Statutory: Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 1.7.2002 to 31.8.2004; Corporations and Financial Services served from 26.10.2010 to 7.2.2012; Intelligence and Security served from 7.7.2011 to 5.8.2013; Human Rights served from 13.3.2012 to 30.6.2014; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 1.7.2002 to 1.7.2005; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 1.7.2002 to 4.12.2003; Economics: Legislation served from 24.6.2003 to 10.9.2006; Economics: References served from 24.6.2003 to 25.6.2003; Economics: References served as Chair from 26.6.2003 to 10.9.2006; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 18.11.2004 to 1.7.2005; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 22.6.2005 to 30.6.2005; Finance and Public Administration: References served from 1.7.2005 to 13.9.2005; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation served from 1.7.2005 to 13.9.2005; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References served as Substitute member from 16.8.2005 to 28.3.2006; Economics served from 11.9.2006 to 11.2.2008; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation served from 30.9.2010 to 11.11.2013; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 3.5.2011 to 6.5.2011; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 1.7.2011 to 6.7.2011; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served from 1.7.2011 to 13.11.2013; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Chair from 7.7.2011 to 11.11.2013; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 21.2.2012 to 21.2.2012; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Environment and Communications: References served from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served as Chair from 14.11.2013 to 30.6.2014
• Senate Select: Medicare served from 15.5.2003 to 11.2.2004; Australia's Food Processing Sector served from 1.7.2011 to 16.8.2012; Cyber-Safety served from 28.6.2013 to 30.8.2013
• Senate Standing: House served from 1.7.2002 to 27.9.2010; Parliamentary Library served from 18.11.2004 to 1.7.2005; Regulations and Ordinances served as Chair from 30.9.2010 to 30.6.2011; Regulations and Ordinances served from 1.7.2011 to 1.7.2011; Senators' Interests served from 1.7.2011 to 11.11.2013; Privileges served from 21.6.2012 to 11.11.2013

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Turkey and Ireland, October 2005.
• Official visit to Italy, October 2010.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Brazil and Panama, April 2011.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Switzerland, Germany and Austria, October 2011.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Uganda and Kazakhstan, March-April 2012.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to UK, Spain, Germany and USA, April-May 2012.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Canada, May 2012.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 01.07.2002 to 30.06.2014
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development from 26.10.2004 to 24.6.2005.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 26.10.2004 to 3.12.2007.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Science and Water from 24.6.2005 to 10.12.2006.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition Assisting with Social and Community Affairs from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party National Executive.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Women's Network National Executive from 2000.
• President of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) from October 2002 to June 2006.

Personal

• Born: 7.7.1954, Wicklow, Ireland
• Gender: Female
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BEd (South Australian College of Advanced Education).
• DipT (Goulburn College of Advanced Education).
• DPA (University of Canberra).
• Teacher from 1974 to 1992.
• Small business operator from 1992 to 1996.
• Senior Project Officer at the Department of Premier and Cabinet (NSW) from 1997 to 2001.