Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women the Hon Kate Thwaites MP has served as Federal Member for Jagajaga in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs since 2019.
With a career spanning journalism, international aid, the public service and government, Kate holds a BA (Journalism) and a Master of International Development.
She is the author of ‘Enough Is Enough’, about making the Australian Parliament a safe place for women, written with Jenny Macklin, her predecessor as the Member for Jagajaga.
Kate entered politics because she believes we need to have new conversations around the serious challenges we face us as a country. In her Assistant Minister portfolio, this includes continuing to work toward gender equity in Australia, valuing the contribution older people make to our communities, and making sure people are supported to age well.
Kate believes we are all better off as a community when we respect each other and feel equal and supported.
Kate lives in Jagajaga with her husband and two children.