Panellists for ACLW Leadership Conversation with Political Leaders 25 July 13

Panellists for ACLW Leadership Conversation with Political Leaders 25 July 13

Stephen Jones MP

Stephen Jones grew up in theIllawarra and it'swherehe and his wife are raising their two young children. He attended EdmundRiceCollege in Wollongong, where he graduated as Dux and School Captain. He completed a BA (History and Politics) at the University of Wollongong. Between 1985 and 1991, Stephen spent time working as a Research Officer for the Australian Quadriplegic Association and as a disability support and youth worker. Stephen was National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), for overfive years and a union representative for over 15 years. Seconded to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in 2004, Stephen formed part of the team that secured justice and compensation for the asbestos disease victims of James Hardie. In 2007 he was a founding board member of the progressive think-tank, the Centre for Policy Development. In 2010 Stephen became Federal Labor Member for Throsby. His Parliamentary Committee service includes:House Standing Committee on Economics; House Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications ; Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform.

Sandra McCarthy

Sandra McCarthy entered local government in 1995 as the Deputy Mayor of Kiama Municipal Council, following her career as a secondary teacher. She was then elected to the position of Mayor in 2000. Serving a record breaking 12 years as Mayor representing the people of the KiamaMunicipality, Sandra has dedicated her time to developing public health policy and strategically planning how Kiama will maximise the National Broadband Network. She continues to foster projects and events which demonstrate the benefit’s the NBN brings to regional Australia. Sandra is also a champion of e-Health initiatives which combine her experience in Public Health and her passion for the NBN. She was instrumental in the formation of the Kiama Municipal Health Plan, the State's first public health plan, as well as the Kiama Safe Communities Program. Last year she was announced President of the Australian Healthy Cities Alliance and she continues to work on a local, national and global level to promote preventative health and environmental sustainability. She is also passionate about the retention of agricultural land for food production and is a member of the Australian Mayors Council for Climate Protection Advisory Group. Sandra is studying a Masters in Public Health at the University of Wollongong.

Gareth Ward MP

Gareth Ward was born in Gerringong into a small-business family and has lived in the Illawarra and south coast his entire life. Born with ocular-carnations Albinism, Gareth has been legally blind since birth. Growing up in the Illawarra, he attended local schools before graduating from the University of Wollongong. At University, Gareth held several student leadership positions including Secretary of the Student Representative Council and Executive Member of the National Union of Students. Gareth served in several positions on the NSW Young Liberal State Executive and also served as a director of the NSW Liberal Party on its State Executive. Elected to Shoalhaven City Council at age 22 in 2004, Gareth is the youngest-ever Councillor to serve on Shoalhaven City Council. He was re-elected in 2008 – topping the poll and was unanimously elected Deputy Mayor between 2008-2010. In that time, Gareth chaired the City’s Development Committee, headed up the Council’s Budget Committee responsible for a $280M budget as well as chairing the City’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee. In 2011, Gareth became the first Liberal Member for the State Seat of Kiama. He was appointed Assistant Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly in May 2011. Gareth sits on the Joint Standing Committee for Electoral Matters and has also been a Member for the Legislative Review Committee.

Anna Watson MP

Anna Watson is proud to have been raisedin a traditional working class family of four with, her twin brother Sean. Anna was a union organiser for 12 years in the airline sector, transport, health, cash carrying industry and local government to achieve decent wages and conditions for workers. As a union organiser during the Ansett Airlines dispute, Anna worked hard to secure entitlements owed to Ansett workers. Anna was elected to Parliament in the 2011 state election despite a general swing against the Labor Party. Anna is Member for Shellharbour. She also serves on the Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services and the Social Policy Committee.