The 2017 Annual Lecture in Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS): As a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation, Linda was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives. Linda’s commitment to Indigenous issues spans more than 30 years.
She began her career as a teacher in western Sydney and then as an education bureaucrat before being appointed Director General of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in 2000. Charles Sturt University awarded her, its first Aboriginal graduate, an Honorary Doctorate in Education in 2002.
Linda was elected federal member for Barton in 2016, following a 14 year career in the NSW Parliament as Member for Canterbury. During her state political career she served as minister in a number of senior portfolios including as minister for Community Services and later as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Following her election to the Federal House of Representatives she was immediately appointed as Shadow Minister for Human Services.
Delivering the POLSIS Annual Lecture in 2017 - the 50th anniversay year of the 1967 Aboriginal Referendum - Linda will give what is sure to be an insightful, inspiring and memorable discussion.