Deborah O'Neill

Biography

Deborah O’Neill is a Labor Senator representing New South Wales in the Australian Parliament. Prior to becoming a Senator, she was a Member of the House of Representatives for Robertson from 2010 to 2013. During her time in the 45th Parliament, O’Neill served as Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation, and Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health.

O’Neill’s work in Parliament focuses on building a strong economy and a fair society by addressing issues such as wage theft, rebuilding trust in franchising, and improving auditing in Australia. She is passionate about ensuring that all Australians, regardless of their circumstances, have access to secure work, income, and a world-class health and education system.

Before entering Federal Parliament, O’Neill was a high school teacher on the Central Coast for nearly three decades. She also worked as a lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Newcastle, where she co-ordinated courses in teacher education. Additionally, O’Neill owned a successful lawn mowing business with her husband.

In terms of O’Neill’s parliamentary service, she was first elected to the House of Representatives for Robertson in 2010, but was defeated at the general elections in 2013. She was then chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales to represent the state in the Senate in 2013 and 2014. O’Neill was elected to the Senate in 2016 and has held several parliamentary positions, including Temporary Chair of Committees and Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Health. She has also served on various committees, including the Senate Standing Committee on Senators’ Interests and the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

O’Neill has also held various party positions, including serving as a delegate at the ALP State Conference (NSW) and the ALP National Conference in 2007 and 2009. She has also been the President of the ALP Terrigal State Electorate Committee and a member of the ALP Health Policy Committee (NSW).

Born in Parramatta, New South Wales in 1961, O’Neill earned a BA from the University of Sydney and the University of New England, an MA from the Australian Catholic University, a DipT from the Australian Catholic University, and a GradDipLitEd from Deakin University.