Profile
Senator Jan McLucas was born on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland and was educated at her local primary school in Ravenshoe, and then at Clayfield College, Brisbane. She trained as a teacher at Townsville College of Advanced Education (now James Cook University), where she was Treasurer, then President of the Student Union.
Jan taught as a primary school teacher, mainly in North Queensland, for 10 years, and continues to have a strong interest in education, especially of children living in rural and remote areas. She maintains close involvement in the North Queensland community, with particular interest in health, the environment, child care and indigenous and women’s issues.
Jan began public life with her election as a Cairns City Councillor in 1995, and entered the Senate in July 1999. She has been a member of a number of Senate Committees. Jan chaired the two Senate Select Committees of Inquiry into Medicare and was the Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee.
From November 2004 to November 2007, Jan was the Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers. She is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Ageing.
