Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the Senate for Western Australia, 2004. Re-elected 2010. Died in Office, 31.3.2012.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 7.7.2011 to 31.3.2012.

Committee service

• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 26.2.2007 to 17.10.2007; National Capital and External Territories served from 11.3.2010 to 31.3.2012
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation served from 1.7.2005 to 10.9.2006; Community Affairs: References served from 1.7.2005 to 10.9.2006; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References served as Substitute member from 5.9.2005 to 11.10.2005; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served as Substitute member from 7.9.2005 to 12.9.2005; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References served from 11.10.2005 to 10.9.2006; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Substitute member from 25.5.2006 to 25.5.2006; Community Affairs served from 11.9.2006 to 13.5.2009; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport served as Substitute member from 15.2.2007 to 16.2.2007; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport served from 9.5.2007 to 11.2.2008; Community Affairs: References served from 14.5.2009 to 31.3.2012; Community Affairs: Legislation served from 14.5.2009 to 31.3.2012; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served as Substitute member from 13.8.2009 to 18.12.2009; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served as Substitute member from 16.3.2010 to 2.7.2010
• Senate Select: Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities served from 20.3.2008 to 24.9.2010; Men's Health served from 13.11.2008 to 25.11.2008; Men's Health served from 5.12.2008 to 3.2.2009; Men's Health served from 12.5.2009 to 29.5.2009
• Senate Standing: Scrutiny of Bills served from 23.3.2007 to 8.5.2007; Scrutiny of Bills served as Deputy Chair from 9.5.2007 to 11.2.2008; Selection of Bills served from 13.2.2008 to 4.2.2009; Senators' Interests served from 13.2.2008 to 4.2.2009; Senators' Interests served from 12.5.2009 to 31.3.2012; Selection of Bills served from 12.5.2009 to 31.3.2012

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Malaysia and Japan, April 2006.
• Attended Australasian Scrutiny of Legislation Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, July-August 2007.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand, April 2008.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Denmark, Sweden and Greece, April 2011.

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 01.07.2005 to 31.03.2012
• Opposition Deputy Whip in the Senate from 3.12.2007 to 31.3.2012.

Party positions

• Member of the Liberal Party Katanning Branch (WA) from 1978 to 1982.
• Member of the Liberal Party Kojonup Branch (WA) from 1996 to 31.3.2012.
• Secretary of the Liberal Party Kojonup Branch (WA) from 1996 to 2000.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Council (WA) from 1997 to 2005.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Women's Council (WA) from 1998 to 2002.
• President of the Liberal Party O'Connor Division (WA) from 2000 to 2004.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (WA) from 2000 to 2004.
• Secretary of the Liberal Party Kojonup Branch (WA) from 2002 to 2004.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Women's Council (WA), 2004.

Other positions

• Justice of the Peace.
• Member of the King Edward and Princess Margaret Hospital Board, Perth from 1994 to 1997.
• President of the Country Hospital Board's Council of Western Australia from 1994 to 1995.
• Member of the Aged Care Planning Advisory Committee (WA) from 1996 to 2003.
• Member of the Metropolitan Health Service Board, Perth from 1997 to 2001.

Personal

• Born: 11.4.1943, Picton, New Zealand
• Died: 31.3.2012, Kalamunda
• Gender: Female

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• CertN (University of New Zealand).
• Post Basic Diploma in Operating Theatre Nursing.
• Nurse from 1961 to 1971.
• Farmer from 1973.
• Rural Health Consultant from 2002 to 2003.

Military Service

• New Zealand Territorial Army: No. 2 General Hospital, 1st Lieutenant (Army Reserve) 1965-70.