Guest speaker – Sussan Ley MP

Born in Nigeria to British parents, Sussan Ley spent her early childhood in the United Arab Emirates, before migrating to Australia at the age of 13 with her parents and older brother. Schooled in the U.K., QLD and ACT, later tertiary study led to a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Taxation Law and a Master of Accounting. Before entering Federal Parliament, her career path was wonderfully varied, providing a range of ‘real life’ experiences. 
 
Developing an early fascination with the skies and flying, a young Sussan worked a variety of odd jobs and hours to finance this passion, obtaining a Commercial Pilot’s License which she still holds.
 
Prior to taking on married life on a family farm, Sussan worked as an air traffic controller at Sydney and Melbourne Airports, as an aerial stock-mustering pilot in outback New South Wales and Queensland and as a shed hand / shearers’ cook across a large chunk of rural Australia.
 
During a livestock and dairy farming partnership of seventeen years Sussan experienced the highs and lows that come routinely and test the resolve of those living on the land. 
 
Starting university when her first child turned one led to ten years of part time study on the way to three children and three finance degrees. Sussan certainly gained a deep appreciation of, and continued support for, rural-based educational institutions.
 
Still helping manage the farm (near Tallangatta in North East Victoria) Sussan took up a position with the Australian Taxation Office at Albury, graduating to the role of Director, Technical Training before seeking Liberal Party pre-selection for the Federal seat of Farrer in 2001.
 
The local election result was undecided for ten days with the new MP eventually installed by just 206 votes, a friend sending a congratulatory reminder that the ‘Cessna 206’  – a popular bush utility plane – was also her favourite aircraft.
 
Re-elected in 2004, Sussan was offered the added responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth Affairs, then Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry in 2006.
 
Shadow portfolios for Housing and Women followed in 2007, as well asJustice and Customs & Assistant Treasurer (2008 -2009).
 
She was allocated Shadow Ministerial roles in Childcare, Early Childhood Learning & Employment Participation from late 2010.
 
Sussan is a strong advocate for many rural and regional issues especially those which assist in bridging the ‘city v country divide’. She is particularly passionate about fostering decentralization, supporting our farmers, home grown food security, balancing water for agriculture and the environment as well as improving services for rural health.
 
Other interests and pursuits include an abiding interest in Middle Eastern politics, fitness and cycling and relaxing back with a ripping yarn, usually a true crime thriller. 
 
Residing in Albury, with her three children still nearby, Sussan maintains her enthusiasm for all things aeronautical, handy when getting around an electorate of some 250,000 square kilometers, roughly the same size as New Zealand.
 
Perhaps little wonder she was dubbed early in her political career the “Farrer Flier”.