Karen Andrews was elected as the Federal Member for McPherson at the 2010 federal election.
Karen is a local Gold Coast businesswoman with experience in engineering and industrial relations who is passionate about promoting the southern Gold Coast. Graduating as a mechanical engineer in 1983, Karen worked at various power stations in Queensland and chemical and petrochemical sites interstate, where she specialised in design and plant maintenance.
Karen subsequently completed a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and began her career as an advocate working in the metal, engineering and construction industries.
Her expertise resulted in an approach by the Victorian Government to head up the Industrial Relations Branch of the Department of Health and Community Services, where she represented the Government’s interests in negotiations with public sector employees including nurses, ambulance officers, doctors and community service workers.
In the mid-1990s Karen and her husband established a private human resources and industrial relations consultancy and developed a strong client base throughout Australia and New Zealand. Karen undertook further studies in alternate dispute resolution and is now qualified to assist businesses and individuals with resolving disputes through negotiation and mediation.