Mia Davies

Mia Jane Davies (born 3 November 1978) is an Australian politician who has been a National Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia since 2013, representing the seat of Central Wheatbelt. She is the party's deputy leader (under Terry Redman), and is a minister in the government of Colin Barnett. Prior to being elected to the Legislative Assembly, she served in the Legislative Council from 2009 to 2013, representing the Agricultural Region.

Early life

Davies was born in Perth to Effie Leonie (née South) and Dexter Melvyn Davies. Her father was also a National Party member of parliament. Davies was raised on her parents' farm in Yorkrakine, a small Wheatbelt town. She attended Wyalkatchem District High School before boarding at Methodist Ladies' College, Perth, and later completed a degree in marketing and media at Murdoch University.^[1] From 1999 to 2001, Davies lived and worked in London. After returning to Australia, she began working for Max Trenorden (the state leader of the National Party at the time) as an administrative assistant and research officer. She continued on in a similar role when Brendon Grylls became leader in 2005, and later ran her own consulting business.^[2]

Politics

At the 2008 state election, Davies was elected to parliament in third position on the National Party ticket for Agricultural Region. Her election was challenged by Anthony Fels, a Family First candidate, and the dispute was not settled until just two days before her term was set to begin (in May 2009).^[2][3] She was 30 years old at the time of being sworn in, becoming the youngest member of the Legislative Council at the time (the "baby of the house").^[2] At the 2013 state election, Davies transferred to the Legislative Assembly, winning the seat of Central Wheatbelt. Her predecessor in the seat was Brendon Grylls, the party leader, who had transferred to the seat of Pilbara. After the election, Davies was made parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Lands, and also assistant minister to the Minister for State Development.^[4]

In November 2013, Davies was elected deputy leader of the National Party, replacing Terry Redman (who had replaced Brendon Grylls as leader). Her only opponent for the deputy leadership was Wendy Duncan.^[5] Davies was subsequently elevated to the ministry, becoming Minister for Water and Minister for Forestry.^[4] She was 35 at the time, becoming the youngest-ever government minister from her party (and the eighth-youngest overall).^[6] In December 2014, Davies was also made Minister for Sport and Recreation, replacing Terry Waldron.^[4]

See also

• Women in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
• Women in the Western Australian Legislative Council

References