Gladys Berejiklian

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Gladys Berejiklian is an Australian politician, who has represented Willoughby for the Liberal Party of Australia in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly since 2003.

Berejiklian was born in Sydney and has a Bachelor of Arts (1992), a Graduate Diploma in International Studies (1996) from University of Sydney and Master of Commerce from the University of New South Wales (2001). She served a term on the Armenian National Committee of Australia. In 2000, she visited the USA as a delegate from the Australian Political Exchange Council.^{[citation needed]}

Berejiklian joined the Liberal Party in 1993 and was President of the New South Wales Young Liberal Party in 1996. This was a most notable victory as there have only been four female Young Liberal Presidents in the party's history.^{[citation needed]} She also served as a Delegate to State Council (1996-2003), Urban Representative of the NSW Liberal Party State Executive (1997-2003), Campaign Director for State seat of Willougby (1999) and Chair of Convention Committee (2002).

Berejiklian worked for Peter Collins and Senator Helen Coonan as well as the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

[edit] Parliamentary career

Berejiklian has been the member for Willoughby since 2003. She is the first Armenian descendant to be elected to the New South Wales Parliament.^{[citation needed]} She joined the frontbench in 2005 as Shadow Minister for Mental Health. She currently serves as an opposition frontbencher with responsibility for Transport and Citizenship. Berejiklian has been outspoken against the Iemma Government's handling of trains, buses and ferries.^[1]