State Labor Member for Fremantle, and Minister for Creative Industries, Heritage, Industrial Relations, Aged Care and Seniors, Women
I am passionate about all things Fremantle, with a particular focus on quality public schools for local families, long-term transport planning, and the economic revitalisation of our port city.
I have served as the State Member for Fremantle since 2013. During my first term, I worked with local schools to fight education cuts, campaigned with local residents to stop the ill-conceived Perth Freight Link, and worked across the community to tackle the challenges facing our town centre.
Having lived in Fremantle for over twenty years, I currently live with my partner Mark in South Fremantle. On free weekends you will find us walking our dog, Doug, down at South Beach, Manning Park, or the Freo Farmers’ Market in Beaconsfield.
Being raised by a single mum, I witnessed how hard she worked while supporting her five children. My dad had multiple sclerosis and was a long-standing activist in the disability rights movement.
Prior to my election, I worked in the union movement for over 22 years. I was one of the first women elected to be an Organiser for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, before being elected the Assistant State Secretary in 1997. I later worked with the union United Voice.
From 2007, I served as Assistant Secretary, and later Secretary, of Unions WA. During that time, I was proud to coordinate the 'Your Rights at Work' campaign against the Howard Liberal Government’s ‘Workchoices’ reforms. I also led the Unions WA as we campaigned for more local content and local jobs during WA’s mining boom.
Previous work included time with Yamatji Land and Sea Council, and as a producer with the ABC.
I hold degrees in History from the University of Melbourne and Media from Murdoch University.
