Judy Spence

Judy Spence entered politics in 1989 as the Labor member for Mount Gravatt and is now the longest serving MP for the seat. Spence is also the State's first female Police and Corrective Services Minister.

Before entering politics, Spence was a high school teacher, first posted to Calen before returning to south-east Queensland to marry. She then taught at Woodridge, Beenleigh and Browns Plains.

In 1996, Spence was appointed Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Women, and Adviser to the Leader of the Opposition on Federal/State Relations. From December 1996 to June 1998, Spence was the Shadow Minister for Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and Consumer Affairs.

When Labor won Government in July 1998, Spence was sworn in as the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Women's Policy and Fair Trading.

As the Minister for Fair Trading, Spence oversaw legislation to crack down on scams, as well as developing strategies to raise community awareness. She was also responsible for the Building Services Authority and the Residential Tenancies Authority.

In the Beattie Government's second term, Spence was the Minister for Families, Disability Services, Seniors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy.

During that time, she:

* gained further insight into police work while exposing the failings of the State's child protection system;
* expanded domestic violence protection to more Queenslanders;
* oversaw the operation of the State's two youth detention centres in Brisbane and Townsville; and
* administered the Juvenile Justice Act.

Spence is married and has two teenage sons.

External links

* [http://www.judyspence.com Judy Spence Official Website]