Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the Senate for New South Wales 1987. Re-elected 1990. Resigned 24.2.1994 to contest the House of Representatives division of Mackellar, New South Wales. Elected to the House of Representatives for Mackellar, New South Wales at by-election 1994, vice the Hon. J Carlton (resigned). Re-elected 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 17.11.2004 to 17.10.2007.
• Speaker of the House of Representatives from 12.11.2013 to 2.8.2015.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel from 11.3.1996 to 21.10.1998.
• Minister for Aged Care from 21.10.1998 to 26.11.2001.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Privileges served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Procedure served from 20.3.2002 to 17.10.2007; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served as Chair from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Communications, Information Technology and the Arts served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Industry and Resources served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Family and Human Services served as Chair from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Health and Ageing served from 3.2.2010 to 19.7.2010; Appropriations and Administration served as Chair from 12.11.2013 to 2.8.2015; House served from 12.11.2013 to 2.8.2015; Selection served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 2.8.2015; Communications and the Arts served as Chair from 13.10.2015 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; National Capital and External Territories served from 20.8.2015 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Statutory: Public Accounts served from 7.10.1987 to 24.2.1994; Corporations and Securities served from 27.2.1995 to 29.1.1996; Public Accounts and Audit served from 16.8.2005 to 17.10.2007; Public Accounts and Audit served from 25.9.2008 to 19.7.2010; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 12.11.2013 to 3.12.2013; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 2.8.2015
• Senate Estimates: Estimates Group A served from 24.9.1987 to 3.5.1993; Estimates Group E served as Substitute member from 6.9.1989 to 28.9.1989; Estimates Group B served as Substitute member from 9.5.1990 to 24.8.1990; Estimates Group F served from 10.9.1991 to 11.9.1991; Estimates Group B served as Substitute member from 5.3.1992 to 8.2.1993; Estimates Group D served from 6.5.1993 to 24.2.1994
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 11.5.1990 to 18.8.1993
• Senate Select: Functions, Powers and Operation of the Australian Loan Council served from 5.11.1992 to 14.12.1993
• Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances served from 24.9.1987 to 18.8.1993

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 11.07.1987 to 24.02.1994, 26.03.1994 to 09.05.2016
• Shadow Minister for Public Administration, Federal Affairs and Local Government from 12.5.1989 to 11.4.1990.
• Shadow Minister for Urban and Regional Strategy from 17.1.1994 to 26.5.1994.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 17.1.1994 to 11.3.1996.
• Shadow Minister for Health from 26.5.1994 to 31.1.1995.
• Shadow Minister for Privatisation and Commonwealth/State Relations from 31.1.1995 to 11.3.1996.
• Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Minister for Seniors from 8.12.2009 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Special Minister of State from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Party positions

• President of the Liberal Party Balmoral Branch (NSW) from 1973 to 1979.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Warringah Federal Electorate Conference (NSW) from 1978 to 1980.
• President of the Liberal Party Mosman State Electorate Conference (NSW) from 1978 to 1981.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Women's Group (NSW) from 1978 to 1981.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (NSW) from 1980.
• Chair of the Liberal Party State Convention (NSW) from 1981 to 1985.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Metropolitan Branch (NSW) from 1982 to 1985.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council, 1982.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council from 1984 to 1985.
• President of the Liberal Party (NSW) from 1985 to 1987.

Personal

• Born: 19.10.1942, Sydney, Australia
• Gender: Female

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Solicitor.
• Company director.

Electorate

• Name: Mackellar
• Location: northern Sydney; it includes the suburbs of Avalon, Bayview, Belrose, Bilgola, Church Point, Collaroy, Cromer, Davidson, Elanora, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Newport, Palm Beach, Scotland Island, Terrey Hills, Warriewood and parts of Beacon Hill, Dee Why, Narraweena and Frenchs Forest and Forestville.
• Area: 233 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 102,861 (at 7.9.2013)
• Industries: light manufacturing, service industries, commercial wholesale and retail trades and tourism.
• Includes: Mackellar includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Pittwater, and parts of Davidson and Wakehurst.

Honours

• Awarded the Centenary Medal, 1.1.2001.
• Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, 7.6.2020.