Jeannie Ferris

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Jeannie Margaret Ferris (born 14 March 1941), Australian politician, has been a Liberal member of the Australian Senate since July 1996, representing South Australia. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and educated at Monash University, where she graduated in agricultural economics. She was a journalist, lobbyist and political advisor.

During the period between Ferris's endorsement as a candidate for the March 1996 election and 1 July 1996, when she took her seat, Ferris was employed by Senator Nick Minchin. It was suggested that this constituted holding "of office of profit under the crown," which would have rendered her election invalid. To avoid any possibility of this, she resigned from the Senate on 12 July, and was immediately re-appointed by the Parliament of South Australia to the vacancy caused by her own resignation.

Following a CAT Scan in October 2005, Senator Ferris was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Ferris was Deputy Government Whip in the Senate 2001-02 and has been Government Whip in the Senate since August 2003.