Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Franklin, Tasmania, 2007. Re-elected 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services from 14.9.2010 to 14.12.2011.
• Minister for Community Services from 14.12.2011 to 18.9.2013.
• Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development from 14.12.2011 to 18.9.2013.
• Minister for the Status of Women from 14.12.2011 to 18.9.2013.
• Minister for Housing and Homelessness from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013.
• Cabinet Minister from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013.
• Cabinet Minister from 1.6.2022.
• Minister for Housing from 1.6.2022 to 29.7.2024.
• Minister for Small Business from 1.6.2022.
• Minister for Homelessness from 1.6.2022 to 29.7.2024.
• Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 29.7.2024.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Education and Training served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Communications served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Family, Community, Housing and Youth served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Infrastructure, Transport and Cities served from 10.11.2015 to 9.5.2016

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 24.11.2007 to present
• Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government from 18.10.2013 to 23.7.2016.
• Shadow Minister for Employment Services from 18.10.2013 to 23.7.2016.
• Shadow Minister for Ageing and Mental Health from 23.7.2016 to 2.6.2019.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 23.7.2016 to 23.5.2022.
• Shadow Minister for Ageing and Seniors from 2.6.2019 to 28.1.2021.
• Shadow Minister for Women from 2.6.2019 to 28.1.2021.
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture from 28.1.2021 to 23.5.2022.

Party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party from 1988.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Campaign Committee (Tas.) from 1996 to 2002.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Federal Campaign Committee from 1996 to 2007.
• President of Young Labor (Tas.), 1996.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (Tas.) from 2000 to 2007.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 2004.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Administrative Committee from 2004.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (Tas.) from 2006 to 2007.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 2007.

Personal

• Born: 3.7.1971, Hobart, Australia
• Gender: Female
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• CertIVBA (TAFE Tasmania).
• Administrative Officer for the Australian Labor Party (Tas.) from 1987 to 1990.
• Administrative Assistant to the Minister for Health from 1990 to 1992.
• Administrative Officer at the Department of Health from 1992 to 1993.
• Administrative Officer to the Leader of the Opposition (Tas.), the Hon. M Field, MHA from 1993 to 1994.
• Electorate Officer to Senator J Coates from 1995 to 1996.
• Adviser to Senator S Mackay from 1996 to 1998.
• Business Support Officer, Hydro Tasmania 1998.
• Personal Assistant and Adviser to the Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. J Bacon, MHA from 1998 to 2003.
• Manager of the Ministerial Unit in the Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (Tas.) from 2003 to 2005.
• Adviser to Senator C Brown from 2005 to 2006.

Electorate

• Name: Franklin
• Location: The Division of Franklin consists of the: Municipality of Huon Valley, part of the City of Clarence, and part of the Municipality of Kingborough. The Division of Franklin includes Macquarie Island.
• Area: 10,009 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 76,619 (at 6.6.2019)
• Industries: Apples, pears, small fruits, aquaculture, fishing, beef cattle, sheep, forestry, cottage industry, vineyards and tourism.