PHILLIPS, Anita

BILL Shorten, a senior member in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Cabinet, today paid tribute to the long, distinguished and dedicated career of Dr Anita Frances Phillips, PhD, a former member of the Queensland Parliament who recently passed away at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital following a short illness. Her daughters, Rebecca, Melanie, and Keinton were at her side. She was the Labor member for the Townsville-based seat of Thuringowa (2001-2004) and resigned from State Parliament but was unsuccessful when she stood for Federal Parliament in the seat of Herbert in 2004. Peter Beattie, the Premier, during her term in the Queensland Parliament, said today Anita would have been a successful Government Minister had she not decided to run for Federal Parliament.

"Anita was a powerful advocate for the people of Thuringowa and a trail blazer for women in Queensland politics at a time in Queensland when both were a challenge," Mr Beattie said. "She was a key part of the Labor team in 2001. Her strength of character and determination were admired by both sides of politics."

Read the full story in the obituary published in The Courier Mail on Tuesday 14^th of February: https://www.mytributes.com.au/DrAnitaFrancesPhillips/