Annette attended school in Mt. Gambier before moving to Adelaide where she completed a Bachelor of Science at Adelaide University. Annette went on to work with a hospital based pathology service before moving into administrative areas in the arts, merchant banking and mining related services. Annette was first elected to the South Australian Parliament as the Member for Napier in 1993. She became a Shadow Minister in 1994 and served in a number of portfolios including Housing and Urban Development, Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs; Mines and Energy; Regional Development; Primary Industries; and Science and Technology. She also served as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 1997 until 2002, as well as President of the Australian Labor Party. Annette was on the Australian Labor Party National Executive from 2004 to 2008. In October 2004 Annette made the transition into Federal politics with her election into the Australian Senate. She officially began her term on 1st July 2005. Since being elected into the Senate, Annette served as Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, then a range of committees, and was Chair of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, and deputy Chair of the Senate Economics References Committee. Annette is married with one son. 

Annette did not  recontest the 2010 election, and retired from the Senate on 30 June 2011 at the expiration of her term.

Federal Parliament:

Elected 2004 as Senator for South Australia.
2005 - 2007 Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
2007 - 2011 Chair, Senate Standing Committee on Economics

State Parliament:

Deputy Leader of SA Labor Party 1997 - 2001
Elected Member for Napier 1993

Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Biochemistry), University of Adelaide 1975
Grad Dip Secretarial Studies, University of Canberra (Canberra CAE) 1980

Senator for South Australia (2004 - 2011)
Director Hawker Britton Pty Ltd (2001 - 2004)
Established South Australian office of Hawker Britton Pty Ltd, public affairs company.
South Australian Resources Industry Development Board(Chair 2004) Advisory group for the Minister for Mineral Resources
Seafood Council (SA) Ltd (2003 - 2004), Director, Policy & Strategy
State Parliament, Member for Napier (1993 - 2001)
Northern Areas Community & Youth Services Board (member and Chair, 1992 - present)
Population Council (1988-1989), Member of advisory council for Minister for Immigration.
Marketing Co-ordinator, Amdel Limited (1985 - 1987) (Part-time 1988 - 2000)
Marketing and public relations for Amdel, a scientific services company with major emphasis on mining industry.
Organiser, ALP (SA) (1987 - 1988)
Electorate Officer for Federal Member for Adelaide(1983 - 1985)
Personal Assistant, Chase NBA Ltd; Dominguez & Barry Pty Ltd;Crafts Council of Australia (1981 - 1983)
Medical Scientist, Alice Springs Hospital(1977 - 1980) Hospital pathology laboratory.
Research Assistant, Northfield Agricultural Centre, Northfield SA(1976)

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