Steering Committee
- To act as a conduit of information on CPA/CWP matters from Chairperson/Secretariat to women in their Region.
- To act as an information source for women MPs in their region on CPA/CWP matters, and to personally encourage women Parliamentarians to put their names forward as delegates and participants at CPA events.
- To encourage consideration of women as Regional Representatives on the CPA Executive Committee when vacancies occur.
- To brief the incoming Steering Committee Member.
- To promote the formation of local Branches of the CWP in CPA Branches.
- To meet before the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and assess the progress made by the CWP across the Association and to put forward proposals for further action.
Hon Kate Doust MLC
Chair and Australian Region Steering Committee Representative
Kate Doust was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2001 to represent the South Metropolitan Region, and has been re-elected five times.
She was elected President of the Legislative Council on Tuesday 23 May 2017, the first woman to be elected as President of the Legislative Council in Western Australia.
As the first woman Presiding Officer of the Parliament, she introduced International Women’s Day Celebrations to the Parliament and the establishment of a family room for members and staff of the Parliament of Western Australia. Kate is the inaugural winner of the Commonwealth Parliamentarian of the Year Award 2022, in recognition of her long parliamentary service as well as working to promote women and people with disabilities in her community. The award also recognises her contributions to the work of the CPA (including acting as a Mentor during programmes), her commitment to the diversity of her community, the work she has undertaken in addressing and combatting domestic violence, and her approach in embracing innovation and new ideas in the Parliament of Western Australia.
Kate has a keen interest in supporting women in the workplace and is a champion for women in science and technology. Prior to entering Parliament, she was a union official with the Shop Distributive Employees Association (SDA) of WA, primarily working in female dominated workplaces, to better the working conditions and terms and conditions of employment for members.
Kate and has been an active participant of a range of Labor Party Policy Committees, including Industrial Relations, Education, Social Development and for the Status of Women. She is a member of the Australian Labor Party’s National Executive, which is the chief administrative authority of the Australian Labor Party.
Her parliamentary positions have included Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Chair of the Standing Committee on Uniform Legislation, Member of the Legislative Council Privileges and Procedures Committee. She has also held a number of Shadow Ministerial Portfolios and Parliamentary Secretary role.
Kate has a Batchelor of Arts Degree from the University of Western Australia and is currently studding a Master of Bioethics. She is married, has three children and two grandchildren.
Caitlin Tough MLA
ACT Representative
Caitlin Tough is a mum and an Australian politician serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory, representing the electorate of Brindabella since October 2024.
Caitlin is a passionate advocate for women's health and economic development. She serves as an Ambassador for Endometriosis Australia, working to raise awareness and improve treatment for the condition having experienced symptoms since the age of 11, although not receiving a diagnosis until her 20s. Caitlin is also a regular participant of Frocktober, raising money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation in the hope of developing an early detection test.
Before entering the Legislative Assembly, Caitlin worked in the Australian Public Service. Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Policy Studies from the Australian National University, and a Masters of Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University.
As member of the ACT Labor Party, Caitlin is committed to advocating for social justice, public health, and community wellbeing in the Tuggeranong region and beyond.
Commonwealth of Australia Representative
Kylie Wilkinson MP
NSW Representative
Kylie Wilkinson was elected to the NSW Parliament in March 2023, proudly representing the south-west Sydney electorate of East Hills. Kylie is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Justice of the Peace and served 33 years as a Federal Public Servant - Attorney Generals and Australian Taxation Office.
Her career was varied, including serving on a number of executive boards and holding various project management and WH&S positions. Kylie strongly advocated for women’s rights in the workplace and has long championed flexible work arrangements and quality part-time opportunities for working mothers
After retiring in 2016 Kylie dedicated herself to community service volunteering for numerous Board positions. This included serving as a director of the Revesby Workers Club, Chair of Bankstown-Canterbury Community Transport, President of Bankstown Touch Football Association and founding board member and Deputy Chair of Biyani House Women's Shelter.
In 2017, she joined a NSW parliamentary delegation to the Solomon Islands, where she delivered seminars on empowering women through leadership in sport. In 2024, she undertook a study tour to Malta, examining the country’s response to domestic and family violence.
Kylie is married with 6 children and 5 grandchildren. She has a passion for building stronger communities and empowering women through encouraging involvement in community and sporting activities. Kylie has played sport all her life, representing Australia in touch football in Canada in 1990 and played in the World Cup in 1999, as well as serving in numerous Board positions for this sport.
Kylie currently serves on the NSW parliament’s Road Safety Committee and has previously served on the Modern Slavery and Children and Young People’s parliament committees.
Justine Davis MLA
Northern Territory Representative
Justine Davis was elected to the NT parliament in August 2024 as an Independent, representing the electorate of Johnston in the Darwin Northern Suburbs. Justine has been living and working in Larrakia country for 30 years and has worked in community building, conflict management, peacemaking and mediation throughout the NT and in the Pacific, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. She is passionate about changing how we do politics so we have people at the centre of our processes and of the decisions that we make.
Justine is on the Legislative Scrutiny Committee and the Parliamentary Accounts Committee as well as the CPA and Women’s CWP committees.
Ariana Doolan MP
Queensland Representative
Ariana Doolan MP is the State Member for Pumicestone and the youngest woman elected to the Queensland Parliament.
With a background in environmental science and business, she is committed to delivering better infrastructure, services, and sustainable growth while ensuring Pumicestone remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
Ariana is proud to be a part of the Crisafulli Government that is delivering for Queensland.
Jayne Stinson MLA
South Australia Representative
Jayne Stinson was elected as the Member for Badcoe on 17 March 2018 and appointed straight to the Shadow Ministry.
Jayne has served in the portfolios of Planning and Development, Local Government, Child Protection, Multicultural Affairs and Arts. Jayne is an award-winning TV and radio journalist who has spent more than a decade reporting on our courts and social justice issues including child protection, domestic violence, mental health and multiculturalism. Jayne began her journalism career with the ABC and later reported for Ten News and the Seven Network.
Jayne has also worked overseas in India, Cambodia and Africa. Jayne’s family battled unemployment when she was young, and she knows the value of education, training, and a secure job – as well as a social safety net.
Jayne’s Dad ran his own small business in the manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious back injury at work, requiring years of intense treatment. Jayne knows firsthand the value of public health care and protecting workers’ rights. A quality public education made all the difference in Jayne’s life, and the lives of her younger sisters. It meant she had the chance to complete school, go to uni and get a decent job, despite the challenges her family faced.
Jayne lives in Forestville in the heart of the electorate of Badcoe. On weekends Jayne can be found at the farmer’s market, watching the Goodwood Saints or soaking up our diverse arts scene.
Meg Brown MP
Tasmania Representative
Following her election in 2024, Meg is excited to be representing the people of Franklin.
She was born and raised in Franklin where she lives with her partner and two young children. She is passionate about making life easier for everyone in Tasmania, through lowering the cost of housing, making it easier to get childcare, cutting costs for families and helping students make ends meet.
Previously, Meg worked as a hairdresser, has managed small businesses and prior to entering parliament was an electorate officer in Franklin for five years. This role required a commitment to advocating for her community, understanding people’s needs and being a voice for those who may not have one. Meg has a strong sense of community and responsibility, and believes that positive change can happen.
Meg also co-founded the Eastern Shore Jets, after noticing a lack of grass-roots netball on the Eastern Shore. The club has grown quickly to provide a place for people to come together with a sense of community and to build a healthy lifestyle.
Hon Ayor Makur Chuot MLC
Western Australia Representative
Ayor Makur Chuot was elected to the Legislative Council of the 41st Parliament of Western Australia for the North Metropolitan Region in May 2021.
She is WA’s first MP of African descent and the first person from a South Sudanese background to occupy a seat in any Parliament in Australia.
Prior to politics, Ayor worked as a patient care assistant, interpreter, international model, modelling agent, restaurateur, and accountant.
She is the mother of three children and passionate about health, education, and jobs; women’s interests, families, and multiculturalism.
Ayor is a member of the Ministerial Multicultural Advisory Council, a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People and co-convenor of three Parliamentary Friends Groups: Refugees, Africa, and Fashion.
In 2023, Ayor was presented with the One Young World Politician of the Year Award for making positive changes in her community.
In 2025, Ayor was re-elected to the 42nd Parliament and currently serves as a member of the Legislative council for all of WA.
Juliana Addison MP
Victoria Representative
Juliana was first elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2018 and is the current Member for the regional electorate of Wendouree, representing the Ballarat community.
Before entering Parliament, Juliana was a History Teacher at Ballarat Clarendon College and Board Director of Ballarat Health Services. Prior to teaching, she was an Organiser for the Australian Workers’ Union and a National Industrial Officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union.
As a member of the Victorian Labor Government, Juliana is Chair of the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee (WCSAC), Chair of the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee and Co-Chair of the Victorian Government’s Gender Equality Advisory Committee. She is also Chair of the Victorian Honour Roll of Women Selection Committee, ensuring that the outstanding achievements of Victorian women are recognised and celebrated.
Juliana is passionate about education, health, women and equality and supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in her community and across Victoria.