Lara Giddings - Member for Franklin
Deputy Premier
Minister for Health and Human Services
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Electorate Contact: Level 10, 15 Murray Street Hobart, Tasmania Tel: 03 6233 6752 Fax: 03 6233 2806 Email: lara.giddings@dhhs.tas.gov.au Web: http://www.laragiddings.com |
There a lot of surprises about Lara Giddings. Although she has a strong Tasmanian heritage, she was born in Papua New Guinea and lived there for much of her childhood.
Following her secondary education she moved to Tasmania to complete her Arts and Law degrees. In 1996 she was elected as a Member for Lyons and at 23 became the youngest woman ever elected to a State Parliament in Australia.
Lara lost her seat at the 1998 election, but was returned as a Member for Franklin in 2002. She became Minister for Economic Development and the Arts in 2004 and was re-elected with an increased margin in 2006. Following the election she was appointed Minister for Health and Human Services.
Lara has a passion for her portfolio and a sense of responsibility to ensure that all Tasmanians have access to better services that improve their health and wellbeing. She cares for and about the people she represents through the political process.
“It was the job I’ve wanted all my life, a great chance to make a real difference to the social and health outcomes of all Tasmanians,” she says.
“There are lots of challenges in health and human services, and we need to change now if we are to respond the pressures we’ll face in the future.”
“Some see this portfolio as a poison chalice, but for me it’s a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.
“By working together we can create a stronger, healthier and happier Tasmanian society in the future.”
Franklin was named after Sir John Franklin (1786-1847),
Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania (1837-1843). He also accompanied
Matthew Flinders on a voyage to chart the south coast of Australia in
1801. He died on an expedition to the Arctic.
Franklin covers an area of approximately 7933 sq km from Bridgewater in
the north to Port Davey in the south and Seven Mile Beach in the east.
The City of Clarence is in the division of Franklin. Other major towns
include Blackmans Bay, Bridgewater, Cygnet, Dover, Franklin, Geeveston,
Huonville, Kingston, Margate and Snug as well as Bruny Island.
Products and industries of the area cover apples, pears, small fruits,
fishing, beef cattle, sheep, forestry, cottage industry and tourism.