Biography

Parliamentary service

• State: Elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Northcote at by-election 2017, vice the Hon. F Richardson (deceased). Defeated 2018.
• Federal: Chosen by the Parliament of Victoria on 4.9.2020 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice R Di Natale (resigned). Elected to the Senate for Victoria, 2022.

Committee service

• Joint Standing: Northern Australia served from 19.2.2021 to 20.2.2021; Northern Australia served from 2.3.2021 to 3.3.2021; Northern Australia served from 9.3.2021 to 10.3.2021; Northern Australia served from 19.3.2021 to 20.3.2021; Northern Australia served from 19.4.2021 to 11.5.2021; Northern Australia served from 18.5.2021 to 19.5.2021; Northern Australia served from 28.5.2021 to 29.5.2021; Northern Australia served from 8.6.2021 to 9.6.2021; Northern Australia served from 17.6.2021 to 19.6.2021; Northern Australia served from 21.6.2021 to 19.10.2021; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 28.7.2022 to present
• Joint Statutory: Human Rights served from 6.10.2020 to 30.11.2021; Law Enforcement served from 2.2.2021 to 11.4.2022; Human Rights served from 10.2.2022 to present
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 6.10.2020 to 25.7.2022; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 6.10.2020 to 25.7.2022
• Senate Select: Aboriginal Flag served from 4.9.2020 to 13.10.2020; PFAS served from 22.8.2024 to 3.9.2024; PFAS served as Chair from 3.9.2024 to present

Parliamentary party positions

• Independent. Served: 06.02.2023 to present
• Australian Greens. Served: 04.09.2020 to 06.02.2023
• Australian Greens Spokesperson on First Nations, Justice and Sport from 9.9.2020 to 17.6.2022.
• Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate from 10.6.2022 to 20.10.2022.
• Australian Greens Spokesperson on First Nations, the Republic and Sport from 17.6.2022 to 6.2.2023.
• Independent Whip from 7.2.2023.

Party positions

• Co-founder of the Australian Greens First Nations Network.

Other positions

• Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership, 2008.

Personal

• Born: 1973, Carlton, Australia
• Gender: Female
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Yes

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• CertIVIndLead (Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre).
• DipCmtyDev (Swinburne University of Technology).
• Grad(AICD) (Australian Institute of Company Directors).
• GradCertMgt(PubPol) (La Trobe University).
• First Nations Consultant for the Australian Conservation Foundation.
• Chief Treaty Negotiator for the Traditional Owner Land Justice Group (Vic.).
• Consultant for the Central Highlands Forest Campaign.
• Chairperson of NAIDOC Victoria.
• Managing Director of Victorian Aboriginal Events Management from 2010 to 2013.
• Manager of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Training Centre, 2010.
• Manager at the East Gippsland Shire Council from 2011 to 2013.
• Adviser to the Municipal Association (Vic.) from 2013 to 2016.
• Managing Director of the Clan Corporation from 2016 to 2017.
• Facilitator and Fundraiser for Grandmothers Against Removals from 2018 to 2019.
• Indigenous Lead for Amnesty International from 2019 to 2020.

State/Territory Government service

• Elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Northcote at by-election 2017, vice the Hon. F Richardson (deceased). Defeated 2018.