About Yvette Berry

About Yvette Berry Main Image

I’m a full-time working single mum with two teenage children.

I’ve lived in West Belconnen all my life. I am also the proud mum of two rescue dogs, Cassie and Baxter. I love watching basketball, especially the Canberra Capitals. Shepherds Lookout out here in West Belco is one of Canberra's secrets and my favourite spot in the Capital. 

I began my working life in the hospitality industry where I worked for 8 years before I started working with United Voice. 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 was elected as an ACT Labor Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to represent the people of West Belconnen in the electorate Ginninderra in 2012. 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. Thank you to the Ginninderra community who have again in 2020, chosen me to represent you. 

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 that enable everyone take part in the life of our community.

I understand the everyday pressures many families are under and the importance of social security and 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.

Before I was elected 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.

I am committed to engaging with and representing the interests of my community and protecting the rights of those who are vulnerable.