Fiona Simpson

Fiona Stuart Simpson (born 18 April 1965 in Sea Lake, Victoria) is the Deputy Leader of the Queensland National Party and member for the seat of Maroochydore in the state parliament of Queensland.

Simpson was elected Deputy Leader of the Queensland National Party on September 18, 2006, alongside new leader Jeff Seeney following the standing down of former leader Lawrence Springborg. [cite news
author = Steven Wardill and Rosemary Odgers
url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20431025-5005961,00.html
title = Seeney takes National Party reins
work = The Herald Sun|publisher=news.com.au
date = 2006-09-18
accessdate = 2006-09-18]

Political career

Fiona Simpson was the youngest woman ever to be elected to state parliament of Queensland when she won the newly created Sunshine Coast seat of Maroochydore in 1992 as a National Party member. Simpson's maiden speech featured a self-description that she may have been the only member to present a "true maiden speech" in Parliament, a comment interpreted in the media to refer to her strongly-held religious morals.

Parliamentary responsibilities held by Simpson include Transport and Main Roads (from March 8, 2004 to September 27, 2005 and again in August 8, 2006), Industrial Relations (July 1, 2006 to August 8,2006), State Development, Small Business, Information Technology and Innovation (from September 18, 2006 to August 8, 2006), Women's Policy (from July 2, 1998 to September 28, 2005), Urban Affairs (from March 8, 2004 to September 27, 2005), Tourism (from March 12, 2001 to April 22, 2003 ) and Health (from July 2, 1998 to March 8, 2004).

Fiona Simpson also served as the Secretary to the Parliamentary National Party from February 17, 1998 to July 27, 1998.

It has been reported in the media that Simpson has had difficulties with the opposition leader, Jeff Seeney. In her role as deputy leader Simpson has been denied the office space, staff, and media oppourtunities that Seeney had when he was deputy leader. [cite news
author = Steven Wardill
url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21722821-3102,00.html
title = Squabble shatters Nats unity
work = The Courier Mail|publisher=news.com.au
date = 2007-05-14
accessdate = 2007-05-14]

Education

Fiona graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Queensland, majoring in Japanese, Journalism and Government. Previously, she had attended Nambour State High School.cite web|url=http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2007/dec/01/high-and-mighty-nambour/ |title=High and mighty Nambour|publisher="The Daily"|author=Carolyn Tucker|date=1 December 2007|accessdate=2008-01-08]

References

External links

* [http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/documents/memberBio/SimpsonFiona.htm Official Biography]
* [http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/ Personal Website]
* [http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/documents/memberBio/InauguralSpeech/Simpson.pdf Maiden Speech]