Ursula Stephens

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Ursula Mary Stephens (b. July 7, 1954) is an Australian politician. Senator Stephens was elected to the Australian Senate for New South Wales in July 2001, representing the Australian Labor Party. She began her term on July 1, 2002.

Ursula Stephens and her family emigrated to Australia in 1961 from Ireland. She attended school in Grafton, then Goulburn Teachers College where she trained as a teacher. She continued her tertiary education through the University of South Australia while living in the Northern Territory, and the University of Canberra. She completed her doctorate in Public Administration in 2005.

Ursula Stephens began teaching in 1973, and after 20 years working in primary and secondary schools and in TAFE., established her own training company in 1988. She co-chaired the NSW Rural Communities Consultative Council in 1996-97, and has served as a member of the NSW Women's Advisory Council, the Rural Assistance Authority and the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training.

She joined the NSW Premiers' Department in 1997, working in the area of strategic projects and regional development until she stood for the Senate.

Ursula Stephens is married with four children, and her interests include motorcycle riding, environmental issues and adult and community education. She is patron of the Goulburn Field Naturalist Society.

Ursula Stephens has been an active ALP member since joining after the sacking of the Whitlam government in 1975. She has been a member of several NSW and National Policy Committees, and a member of the NSW Administrative Committee since 1987. Ursula was elected to the National Executive Committee in 1997 and is the NSW representative on the ALP's National Labor Women's Network Executive.