Jan McLucas
| Senator Jan McLucas | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Queensland | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1 July 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | Margaret Reynolds |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 March 1958 Atherton Tablelands, Queensland |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Alma mater | James Cook University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Teacher |
| Website | JanMcLucas.net |
Jan Elizabeth McLucas (born 27 March 1958) is an Australian politician, representing Queensland and the Australian Labor Party in the Australian Senate.
[edit] Biography
McLucas's parents are Ronald and Audrey McLucas. She was educated in Ravenshoe in Far North Queensland for her primary schooling and then moved south as a boarder at the private school Clayfield College in Brisbane and the College of Advanced Education in Townsville[1] (now James Cook University) where she was Treasurer, then President of the Student Union[2] and underwent teacher training. From 1979 until 1989, she worked as a primary school teacher in state schools in Queensland, and was active in the Queensland Teachers' Union.[1] She stopped teaching in order to travel, including three months' backpacking in Africa, and to have a child.[3]
McLucas then worked as an electorate officer for Steve Bredhauer, her husband at the time and the state member for Cook, from 1991 until 1994, before being elected as a councillor for the City of Cairns, on which she served from 1995 to 1999.
[edit] Political career
Following the announcement of the retirement of Margaret Reynolds, McLucas was preselected as the number one candidate on Queensland Labor's ticket for the Australian Senate in the October 1998 election.[4] This effectively guaranteed her the seat, and her first term commenced on 1 July 1999. In 2004, McLucas was elected by the Labor caucus to the Federal Shadow Ministry and was allocated responsibility for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers.
McLucas was re-elected to her Senate seat at the 2004 election, with a new term commencing on 1 July 2005. The Senator chaired the two Senate Select Committees of Inquiry into Medicare and was the Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee.
The Labor Party under Kevin Rudd won government at the elections held on 24 November 2007. On 3 December 2007, at the creation of the First Rudd Ministry, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing.
In May 2009, journalists from The Australian and opponents in the Liberal Party claimed that Senator McLucas had effectively been living full-time with her partner in Canberra for several years, and only occasionally visited her officially listed residence in Cairns, which they claimed she mostly rented out to one of her staff.
Prime Minister Rudd refused calls from some in the media to sack her, while the Senator insisted she had claimed travel allowance consistent with the official guidelines.[5] However, on 6 June 2009, it was announced that McLucas had resigned as Parliamentary Secretary "to focus on her senatorial responsibilities for Queensland." [6] However, media speculation suggested the expenses issue and the unfavourable publicity generated by it may have been a factor in the decision.[7]
Senator McLucas was re-elected in the 2010 election and was returned to the Executive when sworn in on 14 September 2010 as Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers in the Gillard Government.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Suzannah Pearce, ed (17 November 2006). "McLUCAS Jan Elizabeth, Sen.". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
- ^ "Jan McLucas – Senator for Queensland". Australian Labor Party. http://www.alp.org.au/people/qld/mclucas_jan.php. Retrieved 3 May 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "5 minutes with… Senator Jan McLucas". Medical Observer. 20 June 2008. http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/medical-observer/articles/News.aspx/5-minutes-with…-Senator-Jan-McLucas. Retrieved 3 May 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "LEGISLATIVE ELECTION OF 3 OCTOBER 1998". Adam Carr. http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/1998/1998senateqld.txt. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ Harper, Angela (3 May 2009). "Rudd won't sack senator in expenses row". Sydney Morning Herald. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/rudd-wont-sack-senator-in-expenses-row-20090503-ar74.html. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ "Prime Minister of Australia DOORSTOP INTERVIEW – BRISBANE". Australian Labor Party. 6 June 2009. http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Interview/2009/interview_1055.cfm. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ Parnell, Sean (9 June 2009). "Senator Jan McLucas stays silent on her departure from portfolio". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25608211-5013871,00.htmll. Retrieved 9 June 2009.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/ministry/ministry.htm
