Karen’s list of accomplishments are very long:  as well as being the first woman Minister for Industry & Science and first female Home Affairs Minister, Karen was actually the first woman from Queensland to sit around the Cabinet table in our federal parliament.

She was born and educated in Queensland, and has a history of breaking down barriers. She worked at power stations in Queensland, and in Victoria she became both the first female and the youngest plant engineer employed by a petrochemical company. She brings her experience in engineering, industrial relations and running her own business to her role as a local MP.

Karen’s commitment to serving her local community led her into Federal Parliament at the 2010 election. She was re-elected in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Karen is a founder and has been co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Science for many years, and is a long time champion of Science and the STEM disciplines.

Karen is married with three daughters and has always been a strong advocate for the advancement of women.