Cassy O'Connor | |
---|---|
Leader of the Tasmanian Greens | |
In office 12 June 2015 – 13 July 2023 | |
Preceded by | Kim Booth |
Succeeded by | Rosalie Woodruff |
Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council for Hobart | |
Assumed office 4 May 2024 | |
Preceded by | Rob Valentine MLC |
Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Clark | |
In office 21 July 2008 – 13 July 2023 | |
Preceded by | Peg Putt |
Succeeded by | Vica Bayley |
Secretary to Cabinet | |
In office 21 April 2010 – 11 November 2010 | |
Minister for Human Services | |
In office 11 November 2010 – 17 January 2014 | |
Preceded by | Nick McKim |
Succeeded by | Rebecca White |
Minister for Community Development | |
In office 11 November 2010 – 17 January 2014 | |
Preceded by | Nick McKim |
Succeeded by | Lara Giddings |
Minister for Climate Change | |
In office 12 May 2011 – 17 January 2014 | |
Preceded by | Nick McKim |
Succeeded by | Lara Giddings |
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs | |
In office 12 May 2011 – 17 January 2014 | |
Preceded by | Nick McKim |
Succeeded by | Lara Giddings |
Personal details | |
Born | Canberra, Australia | 1 April 1967
Political party | Greens |
Spouse(s) | Stephen Lees (1st) Nick McKim (2nd) |
Cassandra Stanwell O'Connor (born 1 April 1967)[1] is an Australian politician, who was a Tasmanian Greens member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 2008 to 2023, representing the electorate of Denison which was renamed to Clark in September 2018. Since the 2024 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election, she has represented the electorate of Hobart.
One of two Greens in the eight member cabinet, O'Connor was the first female Greens minister in Australia, serving as Minister for Human Services, Community Development, Climate Change and Aboriginal Affairs in the Bartlett and Giddings cabinets from 2011 until 2014.[2]
On 12 June 2015, O'Connor was confirmed as the new Greens leader in Tasmania, after the resignation of Kim Booth.[3]
O'Connor announced her resignation as Leader of the Tasmanian Greens, and member of the House of Assembly on 13 July 2023, confirming she would seek election for the Legislative Council seat of Hobart in 2024.[4]
O'Connor was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council following the 2024 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election.[5] psephologist Kevin Bonham called her win three hours after the counting had started, due to her maintaining around 40% of the first preference votes, whilst the largest of the other candidates hovered around 18%.[5] O'Connor is the first Tasmanian Greens member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council.[6]