Member for Petrie
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Industry and Innovation
Yvette was elected to represent the electorate of Petrie in 2007. She has a long affinity with the local area, attending school at Redcliffe State High School and living locally with her husband George as they raise their two children.
Entering the full-time workforce at the age of 15, Yvette worked a variety of jobs including clerical and hospitality positions. Realising the value of education, Yvette returned to study, putting herself through night school as she continued working and began to raise a family. She graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Laws and also attained a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University.
Yvette worked for the Australian Workers' Union before being inspired to run for parliament by the Howard Government’s treatment of Australian workers under Work Choices. Prior to being elected, Yvette also served as a member of Queensland’s former Training and Employment Recognition Council (TERC), the Queensland Workplace Bullying Taskforce and the Work and Family Taskforce.
“As a mum with two school-aged children, I know first-hand the pressures of juggling a family with work and making sure bills are paid on time. That is why I will always stand up for a fair go for workers and families, to make sure they get a helping hand when they need it the most.”
Openly passionate about ensuring all children have access to quality education, improving training opportunities and about a low-carbon future, Yvette was recently appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation. She believes our seniors are our valuable resources, and that we should fight for equal opportunities for people with disability and strengthen support for their carers.