Melinda Pavey
Melinda Pavey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
| In office 3 September 2002 – 6 March 2015 | |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Oxley | |
| Assumed office 28 March 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Stoner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Melinda Jane Shaw 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Political party | The Nationals |
| Spouse | Warren Pavey |
| Website | http://www.melindapavey.com.au |
Melinda Jane Pavey (née Shaw; born 1969) is an Australian politician. She has been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly since 2015, representing the The Nationals. She was previously a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 2002 to 2015. A former party staffer, the Coffs Harbour businesswoman became the party's youngest New South Wales MP at the age of 33.
Career
Pavey initially worked as a radio journalist with 2UW in Sydney, but soon became involved in the National Party, and in 1988 took up a position as a media officer for Matt Singleton, the then-Minister for Administrative Services. Over the next decade, she worked for a number of MPs, including Deputy Premier Wal Murray (1990–1993), Minister for Consumer Affairs Wendy Machin (1993–1994) and National Party leader Ian Armstrong (1994–1997).[1]
Political career
Pavey did not attempt to enter politics herself until July 2002, when long-serving Legislative Council member Doug Moppett died suddenly. In the subsequent weeks, Pavey announced her intention to nominate for the resulting casual vacancy. At the time, the party was recovering from a significant defeat at the 2001 election, and the party was keen to look for younger and more appealing candidates.[citation needed] Despite being nine months pregnant at the time, Pavey was ultimately successful in obtaining preselection, and was sworn in as an MLC in September 2002,[1] three weeks after the birth of her daughter, Emily.
She has dedicated much of her time to advocating for the people of the Queanbeyan region, in her role as The Nationals duty member for the Labor-held Legislative Assembly electorate of Monaro. She has also served on the Parliamentary Committee on Children and Young People since 2003.[citation needed]
On 3 April 2011, after the State election, it was announced by the new Premier Barry O'Farrell that Pavey would not enter his Coalition Cabinet in New South Wales; she had previously held the role of Shadow Emergency services Spokeswoman.[2]
She was subsequently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health.
In December 2014, Pavey was preselected by the Nationals as the party's candidate for the lower house seat of Oxley at the 2015 state election.[3]
References
- ^ a b "The Hon. Melinda Jane PAVEY, MLC". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ^ http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/news/premier-of-nsw/premier-announces-first-cabinet.html
- ^ Poole, Fi (15 December 2014). "Melinda Pavey pre-selected for Oxley". ABC News. Retrieved 2 March 2015.