About | Katelin McInerney MP

Meet Katelin

Your Member for Kiama

The reason I stood for election was I wanted my son to have the same opportunities I did- access to a great public education, access to affordable healthcare, safeguards for our beautiful natural environment, and to be a part of a community where families can afford to live and work. A community where no one is left behind.

I attended local schools Minnamurra Public School and Kiama High before graduating from the University of Wollongong.

My career has been built on giving people a voice. I started out working as a journalist with the Illawarra Mercury, and telling local stories taught me the importance of listening and being a voice for those who often didn't have one.

I went on to become the first woman to lead the journalists' section of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) — fighting for working people, for strong public broadcasters in the ABC and SBS, and for fairer, safer workplaces for the next generation of women in media.

I was a founding member of Women in Media, because I believe real advocacy means opening the door further for those who come after you. Most recently I worked in the community services sector, for the region's peak body supporting not-for-profits.My experience in the sector deepened what I already knew: that when governments invest properly in people it changes lives.

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We are getting on with the job of catching up on 12 years of deliberate failure to invest in our local roads and infrastructure — because growth without the schools, hospitals, roads and the people who deliver those services just puts more pressure on our communities. That's why I'm focused on delivering the new Calderwood Primary School, upgrades to Bomaderry High, Bomaderry Public School and Pre-School, the new Shellharbour and Shoalhaven hospital developments, and the road upgrades our region has waited too long for.

I've been a volunteer with local sports and surf clubs over the years and campaigned for a more vibrant night-time economy in our region. I was shaped by the arts, music and performance opportunities I got growing up and I'm committed to nurturing that creative community — because it nurtures our young people, businesses and community in return.

Meet Katelin

Your Member for Kiama

My Background

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