Biography

Parliamentary service

• State: Elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council for East Metropolitan Region, 2001. Resigned 29.10.2007 to contest election to the Senate for Western Australia.
• Federal: Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2007. Defeated at general elections 2013. Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2016. Re-elected 2019.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 28.9.2010 to 30.6.2014.

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Senators' Interests from 1.7.2008 to 1.7.2011; Scrutiny of Bills from 13.5.2010 to 1.7.2011; Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation (formerly Regulations and Ordinances) from 21.6.2012 to 11.11.2013.
• Senate Select: Climate Policy from 18.3.2009 to 15.6.2009; Cyber-Safety from 27.6.2013 to 30.8.2013; Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill from 1.12.2016 to 15.2.2017.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Economics from 1.7.2008 to 14.5.2009; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 1.7.2008 to 14.5.2009; Economics: References from 14.5.2009 to 1.7.2011; Economics: Legislation from 14.5.2009 to 1.7.2011; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 30.9.2010 to 11.11.2013; Environment and Communications: References from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Economics: Legislation from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Economics: References from 12.11.2013 to 19.3.2014; Environment and Communications: Legislation from 12.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Economics: References from 24.3.2014 to 30.6.2014; Community Affairs: References from 1.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 1.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Environment and Communications: References from 16.2.2017 to 6.3.2017 (Substitute member from 16.2.2017 to 6.3.2017); Education and Employment: Legislation from 2.7.2019 (Deputy Chair from 3.7.2019); Education and Employment: References from 2.7.2019 (Chair from 3.7.2019).
• Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 27.6.2012 to 5.8.2013; Corporations and Financial Services from 4.7.2019.
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 1.7.2008 to 1.7.2011; National Capital and External Territories from 30.9.2010 to 5.8.2013.
• Joint Select: Cyber-Safety from 30.9.2010 to 24.6.2013; Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation from 14.9.2011 to 7.10.2011; Gambling Reform from 21.6.2012 to 24.6.2013; Implementation of the National Redress Scheme from 8.10.2020.

Parliamentary party positions

• Chair of the Australian Labor Party Status of Women Caucus Committee from 2012 to 2014.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Water from 18.10.2013 to 24.6.2014.
• Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities from 23.7.2016 to 21.8.2018.
• Shadow Assistant Minister for Universities from 21.8.2018 to 2.6.2019.
• Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing from 2.6.2019.
• Shadow Assistant Minister for Employment Services from 10.2.2020.

Party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party State Executive (WA).
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (WA).
• Secretary of Labor Women State Branch (WA) from 1995 to 1996.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Administrative Committee (WA) from 2001 to 2005.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 2014.
• Convenor of the Rainbow Labor National Committee from 2014 to 2016.

Personal

• Born 18.4.1972, Kalgoorlie, Australia
• Partner

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (University of Western Australia).
• Community services manager, 2008.
• Communications and Engagement Manager at Shelter WA from 2015 to 2016.

State/Territory Government service

• Elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council for East Metropolitan Region, 2001. Resigned 29.10.2007 to contest election to the Senate for Western Australia.
• Secretary to Caucus from 31.7.2001 to 20.6.2005.
• Deputy Chair of Committees from 24.5.2005 to 29.10.2007.