I spent my childhood playing and riding ponies in the bush and forests of the Perth Hills. I attended a tiny primary school in Darlington, then on to high school at Perth College, Mercedes College then Governor Stirling Senior High School. Along this path I gained experience working on farms, and in hospitality and retail sectors. I completed a Bachelor of Science - Psychology at Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin) and then went into the workforce. Later in my career returned to study at Murdoch University and finished a post grad qualification in Development Studies (international economics).
I never aspired to become a member of parliament! I knew that I needed my work to have a ‘purpose’ and to aim for making the world a better place especially for those who were outside the mainstream, or who had no power or voice of their own.
As I grew and learnt more about how this world works, my focus became more clear…to promote a just and sustainable co-existence for humanity, animals and this planet (although I doubt that I would have used these words back then!)
Throughout the early 1990’s I worked in WA on local economic and community development in both metro and regional areas. In the late 1990’s I started my work overseas as an International Expert on Gender and Economic Development for the International Labour Organization then the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. Returning to WA I was appointed as Director in the newly established Federal National Native Title Tribunal before moving to the senior executive service in WA Departments of Contract Management then Justice.
My career path then moved into the not-for-profit human services sector and I was the Chief Executive Officer leading the WA Council of Social Service for 7 years.
In 2008 I was endorsed by WA Labor as their candidate for WA Parliament’s Legislative Assembly in the seat of Maylands. This was the start of my long career representing the people of the Maylands Electorate in decisions made by the WA Parliament.
Since my election in 2008 I have delivered what I estimate to be more than more than $6million in direct grants to diverse community, business and ‘place’ development groups across my electorate. This includes grants to environmental groups, festivals and events run by community groups, art and recreation groups, sports groups, schools, childcare centres, Mens’ and Womens’ sheds, ethnic groups, health and aged care groups, LGBTIQA groups and too many others to list!
Among my most memorable achievements in the early days of working with my community were running campaigns to stop the opening of ‘destination liquor warehouses” in my electorate. This work has intense, costly and long term but I knew that my community was committed to the cause! We worked together over a total of 4 years to stop these big cheap liquor warehouses from being opened in our community centres.
My success and experience in working to prevent the harmful impact of overconsumption of alcohol was recognised by the Minister for Racing and Gaming when he asked for my advice to reform the WA Liquor Act in 2018.
In addition to the outcomes I have delivered for Maylands, I have also directed my work more broadly towards;
- Women’s economic and enterprise development
- Women in politics
- Animal welfare and rights
- Rainbow Rights
- Human rights, safety and the environment
- Climate change and food security
- Supporting innovation and industry development.
I’m proud that my persistence has led the WA Parliament to introduce programs and policies to improve animal health and wellbeing. In 2015 I was successful at introducing into the WA Labor Platform the most rigorous policy positions covering animal welfare. I proposed and was successful in establishing the WA Animal Welfare Small Grant program which will have awarded $3million to rescue and rehoming groups across WA to improve the outcomes for animals. 2020 saw us pass into law that I create and championed, the WA Stop Puppy Farming Act 2020. This Act has been recognised globally as best practice in animal welfare. 2024 will see the Cook government introduce into the parliament an updated, modern WA Animal Welfare Bill that will recognise animals as sentient beings and improve how we protect their welfare.
I will continue to work with the people of Maylands to further my commitment to progressive values, policy and social justice including justice for animals and our planet.
