Lindy Nelson-Carr

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Hon Lindy Nelson-Carr MP an Australian Politician, has been the Queensland Government Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth since September 2007 and has been the State Member for Mundingburra since 1998.

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[edit] Parliamentary career

The Minister now holds her seat safely for the Australian Labor Party, having substantially increased her margin to 10.54% at the 2006 election, this result went against the State wide trend of a slight swing against Labor. Four days after the election, on 13 September 2006, Ms. Nelson-Carr was promoted to the Cabinet in the Beattie government as Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism. A year later, when Anna Bligh became Premier on 12 September 2007, Nelson-Carr was moved to the portfolio of Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth in a broad Cabinet reshuffle.[1]

Ms Nelson-Carr has been the Labor Party Member for Mundingburra in the Queensland State Parliament since the 13 June 1998 election when she achieved a swing of 6.7% away from sitting Liberal Member Frank Tanti.[2]

Before being appointed to cabinet Ms Nelson-Carr was from 2001 the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy.[3] She was promoted in 2004 to Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for North Queensland, her portfolio was expanded in 2005 to include Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. [4]

From her first speech in Parliament on 5 August 1998 Ms Nelson-Carr expressed a specific interest in Environment and Multiculturalism and pride in the cultural diversity of the Mundingburra electorate and a particular abhorrence to the divisive policies of the One Nation Party which had gained 11 seats including the neighbouring electorate Thuringowa. She also focused strongly on Queensland job security and gender equality in parliamentarian representation reflecting the importance of women's perspectives and leadership in influencing public policy.[2]

[edit] Personal

Ms Nelson-Carr is formerly a high school teacher and guidance officer at Townsville State High School and Pimlico State High School. She holds a Master of Education, and from 1993-98 lectured in Human Relationships education at James Cook University.[3] Before moving to Townsville she taught in inner Sydney schools.

Her husband is Russel Carr and she has five children.[2]

[edit] Affiliations

Ms Nelson-Carr established a Townsville branch of EMILY's List and holds fundraisers regularly to contribute to the organisation.[5] She is supported by the organisation and received EMILY's List funding to support her first election to Parliament.[2] She is historically the most senior female politician to be elected in Townsville.

She is a proud trade unionist and currently a member of the Queensland Teachers Union and the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.[3][2] At the time she praised workers involved in the 1998 Australian waterfront dispute.

"...they were sacked as a result of a national collusion between the coalition parties and Patrick stevedores. They were sacked because they were members of a union. They were sacked because they chose to be loyal to themselves, their union and their workmates."[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Media Statement - PREMIER AND DEPUTY TAKE CHARGE OF DELIVERING WATER GRID 13/9/2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Parliamentary Debates, Queensland Legislative Assembly, 5 August 1998
  3. ^ a b c NELSON-CARR, Lindy - Mundingburra. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
  4. ^ Media Statement - Double Duties For MPs As Beattie Team Stays Fresh 26/5/2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  5. ^ Emily's List Australia - Candidates - Lindy Nelson-Carr MP. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.