My story
Hi, my name's Yvette.
I’m a full-time working single mum with two kids.
I’ve lived in West Belconnen all my life. I am also the proud mum of three rescue dogs, Cassie, Baxter and Nala. I love watching basketball, especially our beloved Canberra Capitals.
Before politics
I began my working life in the hospitality industry, as a bartender in local pubs. After that, I started working with United Voice, the union for hospitality staff. For more than 15 years I worked as a community organiser in the union movement, working with and representing workers and their families to win fairer wages and better conditions.
I coordinated the BIG STEPS in Early Childhood Education and Childcare campaign to win recognition through professional wages for Early childhood Educators. I was also an active participant in the Clean Start campaign which fought to improve working conditions for cleaners in the CBD office cleaning industry.
Why I got into politics
For many years I’ve worked to represent and protect the interests of workers and single parents in my community. I know it’s essential for people to have access to quality education, housing, healthcare, early childhood education and adequate working conditions and pay.
Right now, many families are under a lot of pressure. I know the importance of high-quality public housing and education, a social security system that works well and thorough workplace protections.
This understanding has led to me use politics in a way that empowers and engages the community through grassroots activism, to engage with and genuinely represent the interests of my community and protect the rights of those who are vulnerable.
My time in the Assembly
I was elected as an ACT Labor Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2012, representing the electorate of Ginninderra. The Ginninderra electorate represents the suburbs of Belconnen.
In 2016 I was re-elected and was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister, and as Minister for Women; Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence; Education and Early Childhood Development; Housing and Suburban Development; and Sport and Recreation.
Then in 2020, I was re-elected and reappointed to the same portfolios.
My proudest achievements
Throughout my time in the Assembly and as a Minister, I've been proud to deliver things like:
- New and upgraded public schools across our city
- Record investment in public housing upgrades
- Free laptops for all public senior secondary students
- Free preschool for three-year-olds, saving most families around $1300
- Free tampons and pads in public schools
- The new Belconnen half-pipe
- Dozens of upgrades at local sporting fields
Equity and fairness are the values that drive me.
In my spare time I enjoy walking the dogs, walking up to shepherds lookout and gardening.
Thank you so much for trusting me to represent you.
Together, we can continue making Belconnen a great place to live.
