Kerrie Tucker
Encyclopedia
Kerrie Robyn Tucker former Australia
n politician
, environmental and human rights activist, was a member of the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
representing the multi-member electorate of Molonglo
for the ACT Greens
between 1995 and 2001. Tucker was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Australian Senate
representing the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT) for the Australian Greens
at the 1993, 2004, and 2007 federal elections.
for a brief period before the ACT Greens were established.
, representing the Molonglo electorate
for the ACT Greens
in 1995
, and was re-elected in 1998
and 2001
. During her term as a Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Tucker used her staffing allowance to employ part-time staff, who shared her political views. In 1999-2000, her office produced more legislation and amendments than any other non-government office. Her term was marked by a progressive social agenda, including advocating for public housing, pro-choice and same-sex anti-discrimination laws, review of competition policy, substance abuse and progressive drug reform, and increasing the size of the Assemby from 17 members to 21 members.
Tucker resigned her seat one month before the 2004 ACT general election
in order to contest the 2004 federal election.
She ran for election to the Australian Senate
representing the Australian Capital Territory
for the Australian Greens
at the 1993 federal election, gaining 5.9% of the primary vote; falling well short of a quota. Tucker ran again at the 2004 federal election gaining 16.4% of the primary vote, and was again unsuccessful. Tucker ran again for the Senate at the 2007 federal election gaining 21.5% of the primary vote, and was unsuccessful in gaining election, amidst significant media speculation that Tucker would defeat sitting Liberal
Senator, Gary Humphries
.
in the ACT and continues to contribute to the community on a voluntary basis through her work as an individual member of the ACT Collaboration. Tucker works part-time with the progressive left wing think tank
, The Australia Institute
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, environmental and human rights activist, was a member of the unicameral Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
representing the multi-member electorate of Molonglo
Molonglo electorate
The Molonglo electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has seven seats, and is the largest of the electorates in terms of population.-History:...
for the ACT Greens
ACT Greens
The ACT Greens is a green political party located in the Australian Capital Territory, and a member of the federation of the Australian Greens....
between 1995 and 2001. Tucker was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
representing the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(ACT) for the Australian Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
at the 1993, 2004, and 2007 federal elections.
Early years
Prior to entering politics, Tucker was employed by the Canberra and South-East Region Environment Centre to work in the library and edit the Bogong magazine. She was a founding member of ACT Greens. Reputably, she was a member of the Australian DemocratsAustralian Democrats
The Australian Democrats is an Australian political party espousing a socially liberal ideology. It was formed in 1977, by a merger of the Australia Party and the New LM, after principals of those minor parties secured the commitment of former Liberal minister Don Chipp, as a high profile leader...
for a brief period before the ACT Greens were established.
Political career
Tucker was elected to the ACT Legislative AssemblyAustralian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
, representing the Molonglo electorate
Molonglo electorate
The Molonglo electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has seven seats, and is the largest of the electorates in terms of population.-History:...
for the ACT Greens
ACT Greens
The ACT Greens is a green political party located in the Australian Capital Territory, and a member of the federation of the Australian Greens....
in 1995
Australian Capital Territory general election, 1995
Elections to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly were held on Saturday, 18 February 1995. The incumbent Labor Party, led by Rosemary Follett, was challenged by the Liberal Party, led by Kate Carnell. For the first time, candidates were elected to fill three multi-member...
, and was re-elected in 1998
Australian Capital Territory general election, 1998
Elections to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly were held on Saturday, 21 February 1998. The incumbent Liberal Party, led by Kate Carnell, was challenged by the Labor Party, led by Wayne Berry. Candidates were elected to fill three multi-member electorates using a single...
and 2001
Australian Capital Territory general election, 2001
Elections to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly were held on Saturday, 20 October 2001. The incumbent Liberal Party, led by Gary Humphries, was challenged by the Labor Party, led by Jon Stanhope. candidates were elected to fill three multi-member electorates using a single...
. During her term as a Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Tucker used her staffing allowance to employ part-time staff, who shared her political views. In 1999-2000, her office produced more legislation and amendments than any other non-government office. Her term was marked by a progressive social agenda, including advocating for public housing, pro-choice and same-sex anti-discrimination laws, review of competition policy, substance abuse and progressive drug reform, and increasing the size of the Assemby from 17 members to 21 members.
Tucker resigned her seat one month before the 2004 ACT general election
Australian Capital Territory general election, 2004
Elections to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly were held on Saturday, 16 October 2004. The incumbent Labor Party, led by Jon Stanhope, was challenged by the Liberal Party, led by Brendan Smyth. Candidates were elected to fill three multi-member electorates using a single...
in order to contest the 2004 federal election.
She ran for election to the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
representing the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
for the Australian Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
at the 1993 federal election, gaining 5.9% of the primary vote; falling well short of a quota. Tucker ran again at the 2004 federal election gaining 16.4% of the primary vote, and was again unsuccessful. Tucker ran again for the Senate at the 2007 federal election gaining 21.5% of the primary vote, and was unsuccessful in gaining election, amidst significant media speculation that Tucker would defeat sitting Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
Senator, Gary Humphries
Gary Humphries
Gary John Joseph Humphries has been a member of the Australian Senate representing the Australian Capital Territory for the Liberal Party of Australia since 2003...
.
Career post-politics
Since 2004, Tucker has worked as the Executive Officer of ACT Shelter, advocating for the needs of people experiencing homelessness and housing stress. In 2005 and 2006, she was co-chair of Anti-Poverty WeekPoverty reduction
Poverty is the state of human beings who are poor. That is, they have little or no material means of surviving—little or no food, shelter, clothes, healthcare, education, and other physical means of living and improving one's life....
in the ACT and continues to contribute to the community on a voluntary basis through her work as an individual member of the ACT Collaboration. Tucker works part-time with the progressive left wing think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute
The Australia Institute is a left wing Australian think tank conducting public policy research, funded by grants from philanthropic trusts, memberships and commissioned research....
.