Kelly O’Dwyer was elected the Member for Higgins in December 2009. Kelly is committed to working tirelessly for the people of Higgins and taking the fight up to Labor both at a local level and in Canberra.
Kelly completed her VCE at Presbyterian Ladies College in Burwood, being awarded an Australian Student Prize and two Premier’s VCE Awards. She then went on to study at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws with honours and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history.
In 2001 Kelly began her legal career, working with some of Australia’s largest companies and senior business leaders as part of the Mergers and Acquisitions team at Freehills. Witnessing firsthand the impact of regulation and government interference, Kelly seized the opportunity to work as an adviser to Peter Costello in 2004. Before entering Parliament, Kelly most recently had the opportunity to help build a new business with the NAB.
Kelly believes government can never replace the thousands of volunteers who sacrifice their time to help others. Serving on the Advisory Council of Camp Quality allowed Kelly to work with very special people helping families of ill children. Kelly also works with Creativity Australia, an organisation aimed at working with marginalised members of our community.
Kelly knows that the local community faces challenging times as the economy recovers from the financial crisis. New families rightly expect health services and senior citizens need accessible and supportive aged care. Both of these are threatened by state and federal Labor Governments who simply do not understand the needs of the Higgins electorate.
Having had incredible opportunities in her own life, Kelly wants to ensure that the next generation has them as well. These opportunities include an education system that rewards excellence, a health system that provides choice and a tax system that encourages and protects Australians who save and provide for themselves and their families.