Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales on 11.2.1987 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. D McClelland (resigned). Defeated at general elections 1987. Elected to the Senate for New South Wales 1990. Re-elected 1996. Retired with the expiration of term 2002.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chairman of Committees from 5.5.1993 to 6.5.1997.
• Deputy President of the Senate from 6.5.1997 to 30.6.2002.
• Chair of Committees from 6.5.1997 to 30.6.2002.

Committee service

• Joint Standing: New Parliament House served from 25.2.1987 to 5.6.1987; Australian Capital Territory served from 24.8.1990 to 7.5.1992; National Capital served from 7.5.1992 to 8.2.1993; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 7.6.1995 to 29.1.1996; National Capital and External Territories served from 6.5.1997 to 30.6.2002
• Joint Statutory: Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 29.5.1996 to 30.6.2002
• Senate Estimates: Estimates Group E served from 24.3.1987 to 5.6.1987; Estimates Group E served from 24.8.1990 to 9.5.1993; Estimates Group E served as Chair from 10.5.1993 to 10.2.1994; Estimates Group C served from 10.2.1994 to 9.10.1994
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Education and the Arts served from 18.2.1987 to 5.6.1987; Science, Technology and the Environment served from 25.2.1987 to 5.6.1987; Environment, Recreation and the Arts served from 24.8.1990 to 9.10.1994; Community Affairs served from 24.8.1990 to 24.5.1993; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 17.10.1990 to 9.10.1994; Rural and Regional Affairs served from 10.9.1991 to 9.10.1994; Community Affairs served as Chair from 25.5.1993 to 9.10.1994; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served from 10.10.1994 to 30.6.2002; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Chair from 10.10.1994 to 29.4.1996; Community Affairs: References served from 10.10.1994 to 1.5.1996; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 10.10.1994 to 29.4.1996; Economics: Legislation served as Substitute member from 15.2.1995 to 15.2.1995; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation served as Substitute member from 20.11.1995 to 30.11.1995; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 1.12.1995 to 30.12.1995; Community Affairs: References served as Chair from 2.5.1996 to 6.5.1997; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Substitute member from 13.9.1996 to 13.9.1996; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 16.9.1996 to 16.9.1996; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 17.9.1996 to 17.9.1996; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 18.9.1996 to 18.9.1996; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 19.9.1996 to 19.9.1996; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 23.9.1996 to 24.9.1996; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 22.10.1996 to 22.10.1996; Community Affairs: References served from 7.5.1997 to 13.5.1997; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 9.6.1998 to 9.6.1998; Community Affairs: References served as Chair from 31.8.2001 to 11.2.2002; Community Affairs: References served as Substitute member from 21.3.2002 to 28.3.2002
• Senate Select: Health Legislation and Health Insurance served from 24.8.1990 to 20.12.1990; Superannuation served from 14.8.1991 to 29.1.1996; Aircraft Noise in Sydney served from 23.3.1995 to 24.8.1995
• Senate Standing: House served from 2.5.1996 to 5.5.1997; Procedure served as Chair from 6.5.1997 to 30.6.2002; House served as Chair from 6.5.1997 to 11.2.2002; House served as Chair from 12.2.2002 to 30.6.2002

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Australian Political Exchange Council Delegation to USA, 1986.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to UK and Jersey, 1991.
• Member, Official Delegation to the Republic of Korea, Japan and Taiwan, July 1994.
• Attended CPA Regional Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks, Nauru, July 1997.
• Parliamentary Delegate to the Australian Constitutional Convention, Canberra, February 1998.
• Leader, Parliamentary Delegation to the European Parliamentary Institutions, France and Belgium, April 1998.
• Leader, Australian Political Exchange Council Delegation to UK, February-March 1999.
• Bilateral visits to Sweden and Estonia, October 1999.
• Study tour, Spain, February 2000.
• Study tour, New Zealand, August 2000.
• Study tour, Mozambique, November 2000.
• Study tour, Japan, March 2000.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 11.02.1987 to 05.06.1987, 01.07.1990 to 30.06.2002
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party Caucus, 1993 from 1993 to 1993.

Party positions

• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference from 1981 to 1982.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 1984.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 1986.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 1998.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party International, 1998.

Other positions

• Member of the New South Wales College of Nursing.
• Member of the Mitchell College Council (Bathurst, New South Wales) from 1978 to 1984.

Personal

• Born: 21.9.1947, Cowra, Australia
• Gender: Female
• Marital Status: Widowed

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• DipCommunityHealthNursing (Cumberland College).
• RN ().
• Mothercraft Nurse.
• Midwife.
• Member of the College of Nursing (NSW).
• Electorate officer.
• Ministerial consultant.
• Member of the Mitchell College Council, Bathurst (NSW) from 1978 to 1984.