Kerrie Tucker

Kerrie Tucker
Member of ACT Legislative Assembly
In office 18 February 1995 – 16 October 2004
Constituency	Molonglo
Personal details
Born	(1948-09-15) 15 September 1948
Nationality	Australia
Political party	ACT Greens
Occupation	Environmental and human rights activist

Kerrie Robyn Tucker (born 15 September 1948), former Australian politician, environmental and human rights activist,^[1] 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.

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.^[2]

Political career

Tucker with fellow MLA Lucy Horodny

Tucker was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly, representing the Molonglo electorate for the ACT Greens in 1995, and was re-elected in 1998 and 2001.^[3] 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.^[4] 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 Assembly from 17 members to 21 members.^[4][4][5]

Tucker resigned her seat one month before the 2004 ACT general election in order to contest the 2004 federal election.^[6]

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.^[7] Tucker ran again at the 2004 federal election gaining 16.4% of the primary vote, and was again unsuccessful.^[8] Tucker ran again for the Senate at the 2007 federal election gaining 21.5% of the primary vote, and was unsuccessful in gaining election,^[9][10] amidst significant media speculation that Tucker would defeat sitting Liberal Senator, Gary Humphries.^[11] Humphries had earlier been ACT Chief Minister and ironically Tucker was among the MLAs holding the balance of power after the 2001 election who voted to oust Humphries as Chief Minister.

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 Week 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.^[1]

References