Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Forde, Queensland, 1996. Re-elected 1998, 2001 and 2004. Retired prior to general elections 2007.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Family and Community Affairs served from 29.5.1996 to 31.5.2000; Employment, Education and Training served from 30.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Selection served from 23.11.1998 to 26.3.2001; Employment, Education and Workplace Relations served from 31.5.2000 to 7.3.2001; Employment, Education and Workplace Relations served as Chair from 8.3.2001 to 8.10.2001; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry served as Chair from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Education and Training served from 20.3.2002 to 26.9.2002; Publications served from 1.12.2003 to 31.8.2004; Family and Human Services served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Health and Ageing served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007
• Joint Select: Retailing Sector served from 8.2.1999 to 30.8.1999
• Joint Standing: Treaties served from 8.12.1998 to 23.5.2001

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand, March 2000.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to the 9th Annual Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Valparaiso, Chile, and bilateral visit to Chile, January 2001.
• Leader, Official Committee Exchange Visit by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations, New Zealand, June 2001.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Finland and Germany, April 2002.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Mozambique and Kenya, July 2004.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to the Russian Federation and bilateral visit to Italy, April-May 2005.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Canada, Germany, Singapore and USA, April-May 2007.

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 02.03.1996 to 17.10.2007
• Government Whip in the House of Representatives from 18.10.1998 to 26.3.2001.

Party positions

• Development Officer of the Liberal Party local branch (Qld).
• Member of the Liberal Party local branch Campaign Committee (Qld).
• Member of the Liberal Party Paradise Point/Runaway Bay Branch (Qld) from 1987.
• Vice-Chair of the Liberal Party Gold Coast Zone (Qld) from 1991 to 1992.

Personal

• Born: 25.1.1947, Brisbane, Australia
• Gender: Female
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Special Events Coordinator for the Handicapped Association.
• Shop proprietor.
• Financial consultant.

Electorate

• Name: Forde
• Location: south-eastern Queensland, south of Brisbane; it includes the centres of Aratula, Beenleigh, Bethania, Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra, Eagleby, Edens Landing, Jimboomba, Lake Moogerah, Loganlea, Mt Tamborine, Munruben, Numinbah Valley, Rathdowney and Waterford.
• Area: 5,202 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 86,346 (at 9.10.2004)
• Industries: farming, dairying, light industry.
• Includes: Forde includes the Queensland Legislative Assembly electorate of Beaudesert, and parts of Albert, Lockyer and Mudgeeraba.