ABOUT HOLLIE

Hollie Hughes was elected to the Senate for New South Wales in 2019 following a successful career in communications, government affairs, consultancy and advocacy for rural and regional Australians.

Now based in Sydney, Senator Hughes spent almost 20 years living in the country – mainly at Moree in north western NSW.

As a mother of three she had a first-hand understanding of the drought’s devastating impacts on rural families and local economies against a backdrop of limited social and health services.

In recent years Senator Hughes has also been a passionate advocate for autistic children and their families after her son was diagnosed in 2012.

In November 2019 she was appointed as chair of the Senate Select Committee on Autism, to inquire into and report on the services, support and life outcomes for autistic people.  She is leading the inquiry after her experience as Founder and Chair of the Country Autism Network equipped her with the determination to make a difference for battling families in regional communities across our nation.

In October 2020, Hollie was appointed chair of the Senate Select Committee on Tobacco Harm Reduction.  She also sits on the Committees for Community Affairs, Public Works, and National Disability Insurance Scheme.

After graduating in Broadcast Journalism at Charles Sturt University Senator Hughes completed a Masters of Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University and would go on to become the Head of Government for Executive Search firm Salt & Shein.

The Senator has also served as a Non-Executive Director of StreetWork, an organisation providing at-risk teenagers with supports, including accommodation, drug and alcohol therapy, protection from family violence and one-on-one mentoring to get kids back to school – or work – in safe environments.

Since joining the Liberal Party in 2002 Senator Hughes has embraced the party’s values to drive her leadership and advocacy roles.