Born and raised in Werribee, Joanne has spent her adult life fighting for her community.

Before being elected to the Federal Parliament in 2013, Joanne was a teacher and principal. She helped kids in Melbourne’s west get a better education for 27 years.  

In the late 1990s, she successful ran the community’s campaign against the Liberal’s & Jeff Kennett’s plan for a toxic dump in Werribee. The community always comes first for Joanne. 

Joanne is committed to our region and to the Australian Labor Party’s value of fairness. She has spent her professional and personal life working to improve outcomes for local young people, because she believes young people in Melbourne’s west can be whatever they aspire to be. She has lived the power that a quality education has to change and enrich lives.  

In Parliament, Joanne is dedicated to ensuring population growth areas like Wyndham get the support, funding, and opportunities they need to build successful, inclusive and harmonious communities.

Joanne is currently Chief Government Whip.