Chosen by the Parliament of Tasmania on 13.3.1986 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice PE Rae (resigned).

Elected 1987 (term deemed to have begun 1.7.1987), 1990 and 1996. Resigned 1.2.2002.

Minister for Social Security from 11.3.96 to 21.10.98.

Minister for Family and Community Services from 21.10.98 to 30.1.01.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women from 11.3.96 to 9.10.97 and from 21.10.98 to 30.1.01.

Senate Standing: Scrutiny of Bills from 17.4.86 to 5.6.87.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Education and the Arts from 3.6.86 to 5.6.87; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 24.9.87 to 8.5.90.

Participating member, Finance and Public Administration: Legislation Committee from 17.10.94 to 29.4.96; Participating member, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation Committee from 17.10.94 to 29.4.96; Participating member, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation Committee from 17.10.94 to 29.4.96.

Senate Select: Education of Gifted and Talented Children from 22.9.87 to 18.5.88; Public Interest Whistleblowing from 27.9.93 (Chair from 18.10.93) to 31.8.94.

Senate Estimates: D from 20.3.86 to 5.6.87; E from 24.9.87 to 29.9.89 and from 20.8.92 to 6.5.93; B from 9.5.90 to 20.8.92; C from 6.5.93 to 9.6.94.

Official visits to UK, France, Spain and Portugal, November 1996; New Zealand, July 1997; China and India, September 1997; UK, Italy and USA, July 1999; China, September 1999; USA, June 2000; New Zealand, July 2000.

Parliamentary Delegate to the Australian Constitutional Convention, Canberra, February 1998.

Study tour, Cambodia and Vietnam, March 2001.

Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 16.9.88 to 22.5.94 and from 25.9.94 to 11.3.96. Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel from 16.9.88 to 11.4.90; Defence Personnel from 11.4.90 to 28.4.92; Defence Science and Personnel from 28.4.92 to 7.8.92; Status of Women from 11.6.89 to 11.4.90; Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Status of Women from 11.4.90 to 7.4.93; Veterans' Affairs from 11.4.90 to 7.4.93; the Aged from 7.8.92 to 7.4.93; Family and Health, and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on Family Matters from 7.4.93 to 22.5.94; Defence from 25.9.94 to 11.3.96.

Chair, Health, Welfare and Veterans' Management Group from 7.4.93 to 22.5.94.

Born 8.7.1937, Melbourne, Vic.

Married.

LLB (Melb) .

Barrister and solicitor.

Heritage developer.

Hotelier.

Farmer.

Founding Member, Women's Shelters in Hobart and Launceston.

Member, State Executive, National Trust (Tas).

Member, Federal Executive, Australian Garden History Society.

Deputy Chair, Association of Independent Schools of Tasmania.