2019 Bruce Childs Lecture: Penny Sharpe

The 2019 lecture will be presented by Penny Sharpe MLC, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, and Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion. Penny will give a behind the scenes look at how abortion was decriminalised in NSW. This is an opportunity to hear the inside scoop on how the campaign secured cross-party support and won – despite an ugly and well funded anti-choice campaign and a near spill against the Premier.

Penny Sharpe has served in the NSW Legislative Council since 2005. Her policy interests include: education (early childhood, vocational education & training, skills development, and schools), affordable housing (private, community and public), improving democracy through technology, mining and energy, maternity services, women (choice, violence, and power), children (rights and out of home care), drug and alcohol policy, human rights, indigenous issues, GLBT policies, crime prevention, community development and prisons. Prior to entering parliament, she worked as a policy advisor to state ministers, designed workplace learning programs for young people and was the President of the National Union of Students. She also served as a Councillor on Marrickville Council from 2004 to 2008. Penny has been a foster carer for young women aged 15–17 and served on the management committees of several childcare centres. In 1999 she co-edited a book called Party Girls: Labor women now. Penny has held a variety of positions in local branches, has been a delegate to state and national conferences, has been responsible for a range of shadow portfolios, including Leader of the Opoosition, and is a former Vice President of the Evatt Foundation.

This event is free of charge and open to all ALP members. 2019 has been a year of wins, tragic losses and almosts for progressives in Australia and around the world – come and share a drink and toast to a brighter 2020.