Lynn Ellen MacLaren (born 24 March 1962) is an American-born Australian politician.[1]
Lynn MacLaren | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Councillor of the City of Albany | |
| Assumed office 21 October 2023 | |
| Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council for South Metropolitan Region | |
| In office 15 February 2005 – 21 May 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Scott |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Mills |
| In office 22 May 2009 – 21 May 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Sheila Mills |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 March 1962 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Political party | Greens WA |
Early life
editMacLaren was born in Colorado Springs and studied journalism at university in California, where she began a career in journalism as the chief photographer and staff reporter for two small California daily newspapers, the Desert Dispatch and the Victor Valley Daily Press.[2]
After studying as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in 1979 in Albany, MacLaren relocated to Perth in 1982 and spent seven years in small business as a desktop publisher and technical writer.[3] In the mid 1990s, MacLaren was prominent in the campaign to put live animal exports on the public agenda and was the foundation president of the People Against Cruelty in Animal Transport, also serving on the executive board of Animals Australia.
From 1997, MacLaren worked for Jim Scott MLC and did project work with the Environmental Defender's Office, and the Community Housing Coalition (WA). She later worked as a researcher for Giz Watson MLC.[3]
Political career
editOn 15 February 2005, she was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council as a Greens Western Australia member for South Metropolitan Region, following Jim Scott's resignation to contest the lower house seat of Fremantle. MacLaren was defeated at the 2005 state election.
After politics
editFrom 2005 to 2008, MacLaren served as Senior Policy Officer with the Western Australian Council of Social Service, where she specialised in policy areas of poverty, housing and sector viability.[3] She also worked as a consultant in strategic planning and capacity building for community organisations.
Return to politics
editMacLaren contested again in the 2008 state election for South Metropolitan Region and was successful. MacLaren's first full term began in May 2009. She contested the 2013 state election and was re-elected.[4]
MacLaren's portfolios included: planning, housing, community services, social inclusion, heritage, animals, volunteering, seniors, disability issues, food and GMOs, sexuality, tourism, arts and culture, small business and science and innovation.[2]
MacLaren has introduced several private members bills in her portfolio areas: Climate Change Readiness Coastal Planning and Protection Bill, Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Free Range Eggs Truth in Labelling Bill, Road Traffic Amendment Keeping a Safe Distance from Bicycles Bill, Biodiversity Conservation Priority Reforms Bill.
She has served as a Member of the Environment and Public Affairs Committee and the Legislation Committee. While on the EPAC, MacLaren participated in an inquiry into the Transportation of Detained Persons which followed on from the death in a custodial van of Aboriginal man, Mr Ward, who was being transported in the hot conditions of northern Western Australia. She made a Minority Report in one the committee's Petition Report opposing the expansion of urban development in Moore River.
MacLaren was defeated at the 2017 state election.
At the 2023 Western Australian local elections, she was elected as a councilllor in the City of Albany.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Lynn MacLaren". Australian Greens. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ a b "About | Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC". Lynnmaclaren.org.au. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ^ a b c Inaugural Speech Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC (PDF) (Speech). Parliament of Western Australia. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Parliament of Western Australia (2009). "MacLaren, Hon. Lynn Ellen, MLC". Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
- ^ "2023 Ordinary Election - Albany". Western Australian Electoral Commission.