Carol Martin

Carol Martin (born 31 October 1957) is an Australian politician and the current member for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Kimberley for the Australian Labor Party, having first been elected to that position in 2001 following the retirement of Ernie Bridge. She was the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to any Australian Federal, State or Territory Parliament.^[1]

Biography

Martin was born in Perth, Western Australia. Martin completed a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Curtin University in 1993 and has worked with many organisations and projects throughout the Kimberley region, particularly as a consultant, counsellor and trainer. Prior to her election, Martin had been active in the Kimberley community working as a social worker and counsellor. Working in Derby allowed her to take an active role in the local and wider Kimberley community and the struggles, stories and Laws of her people which profoundly influenced her in her daily activities. Martin has also contributed to the community with her involvement in local government and various organisations. Some of these achievements include being a Shire Councillor for Derby and the West Kimberley, a member of the National Association for Loss and Grief in Western Australia, a member of the Industry Training Advisory Board and a member of the Support Committee for Young Women's Health Wise.^[2] Martin was also responsible for the establishment of EMILY's List's Partnership for Equity Network, which is aimed at involving more Indigenous women in public life.^[3]

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