Biography

Elected to Parliament in 2013 as the Federal Member for Durack, the largest electorate in Australia, Melissa was born and raised in the remote gold mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and now lives in Geraldton with her partner Brad.

A lawyer by profession before beginning her career as a politician, Melissa’s legal career includes working for Australian law firm Clayton Utz. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the private sector and has held both a legal and business development role at the CBH Group.

Throughout her over a decade long political career as a Member of Parliament, Melissa has held various Ministerial roles. These include Assistant Minister for the Environment, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Science and Technology. Now in Opposition for the first time in her career, Melissa holds the role of Opposition Whip.

Melissa is also Deputy Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Affairs, a Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and a Member of the Trade Subcommittee.

The electorate of Durack, at nearly 1.4 million square kilometres, is one of the most diverse constituencies in the world. From agriculture to mining and tourism to fishing, Durack has numerous and varied industries. Melissa is a passionate supporter of all these industries, as well as the many not for profit organisations, and volunteer groups in her electorate.

Melissa is currently in her fourth term as Federal Member for Durack, proof that her strong work ethic and dedication has been recognised year after year. Melissa feels honoured and privileged to continue to serve her constituents in Durack.