| Penny Sharpe |
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Sharpe studied applied science at the University Of New South Wales , and soon became involved in student politics. She was elected president of the University Of New South Wales Student Guild in 1993 , the same year that she met her long-term partner, Jo Tilly. Sharpe rose to national prominence the following year when she became president of the National Union Of Students . As president, she was involved in a national campaign against the Keating Labor government's higher education reforms, as well as in the partially-successful Victorian battle against attempts by its Liberal government to introduce Voluntary Student Unionism there. However, her involvement in politics took a toll, and she subsequently dropped out of university before finishing her degree. Sharpe initially worked in a position helping school-leavers to find employment, but remained active in the Labor Party, and in council. However, she overcame this, and in late 2004 , was herself elected to council. In August 2005 , Deputy Premier Andrew Refshauge resigned from his State Parliamentary Seat Of Marrickville , and Sharpe initially registered interest in becoming the Labor candidate in the Subsequent By-election . However, she immediately stepped aside in favour of her employer when Tebbutt announced her interest in shifting from the upper house. Despite this initial setback, Tebbutt's victory in the by-election created a casual vacancy in the Legislative Council from their Socialist Left faction, and Sharpe immediately became the leading candidate to replace Tebbutt. Sharpe's official appointment to the Legislative Council was announced in late September , which immediately caused substantial media attention due to her status as a lesbian mother - particularly as she would now be sitting alongside the likes of hardline conservative Liberal David Clarke and Christian Democratic Party firebrand Fred Nile . She largely refused to comment on her private life in the subsequent fracas, but announced her policy goals as improving access to education and eliminating discrimination against gay parents. She has also made clear her intention to confront Clarke and Nile on gay rights issues; a stance that was heavily reflected in her maiden speech to parliament on November 16 . |
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