# Michelle Roberts > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Michelle_Roberts > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Michelle_Roberts.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Roberts > Source revision: 1352172165 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Australian politician}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = [The Honourable](/source/The_Honourable) | name = Michelle Roberts | honorific_suffix = [MLA](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) | image = | caption = | office = [31st Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly](/source/Speaker_of_the_Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) | term_start = 29 April 2021 | term_end = 8 March 2025 | predecessor = [Peter Watson](/source/Peter_Watson_(politician)) | successor = [Stephen Price](/source/Stephen_Price_(Australian_politician)) | office1 = Member of the [Legislative Assembly](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly)
of [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia) | constituency1 = [Midland](/source/Electoral_district_of_Midland) | term_start1 = 14 December 1996 | term_end1 = 8 March 2025 | predecessor1 = None {{Small|(new seat)}} | successor1 = [Steve Catania](/source/Steve_Catania) | constituency2 = [Glendalough](/source/Electoral_district_of_Glendalough) | term_start2 = 19 March 1994 | term_end2 = 14 December 1996 | predecessor2 = [Carmen Lawrence](/source/Carmen_Lawrence) | successor2 = None {{Small|(abolished)}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|02|29|df=y}} | birth_place = [Perth](/source/Perth), Western Australia | birth_name = Michelle Hopkins Thomas | party = [Labor](/source/Australian_Labor_Party_(Western_Australian_Branch)) | alma_mater = [University of Western Australia](/source/University_of_Western_Australia) }} '''Michelle Hopkins Roberts''' (née '''Thomas'''; born 29 February 1960) is an Australian politician who served as [Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly](/source/Speaker_of_the_Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) from 2021 to 2025. She was a [Labor Party](/source/Australian_Labor_Party_(Western_Australian_Branch)) member of the [Legislative Assembly](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) from 1994 to 2025. She served as a minister in the governments of [Geoff Gallop](/source/Geoff_Gallop) and [Alan Carpenter](/source/Alan_Carpenter) between 2001 and 2008. In November 2015, Roberts became the longest-serving female parliamentarian in [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia)'s history, breaking the record set by [Liz Constable](/source/Liz_Constable). She was a high school teacher, civil servant and local government councillor before entering politics. ==Early life== Roberts was born in [Perth](/source/Perth), Western Australia, to Frances (née Hopkins) and William Thomas.[http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/6C25DB64C4093A4148257C75001F9C95?OpenDocument Michelle Hopkins Roberts], Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 31 January 2017. Her uncle, [Chas Hopkins](/source/Chas_Hopkins), served as [Lord Mayor of Perth](/source/Lord_Mayor_of_Perth).{{cite news | title=Hopkins joins race for mayor | work=The West Australian | date=19 March 2003 | author=Peace, Bronwyn}} Roberts completed her secondary education at [Mercedes College](/source/Mercedes_College_(Perth)) and then went on to the [University of Western Australia](/source/University_of_Western_Australia), graduating with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) degree followed by a diploma in education. She taught at [John Curtin Senior High School](/source/John_Curtin_Senior_High_School) from 1983 until 1987. Roberts left teaching in 1987 to work for the Department of Parliamentary Services, where she stayed until 1989. She then spent periods as a policy officer for the Departments of Local Government (1989 to 1991) and Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (1993 to 1994), as well as serving as a board member of the [East Perth Redevelopment Authority](/source/East_Perth%2C_Western_Australia) from 1991 to 1993. ==Politics== ===Early years=== Roberts joined the Labor Party in 1978, and has served as a party official at both state and federal level. She was elected to the [Perth City Council](/source/City_of_Perth) in 1986 and served as a councillor until 1993, including as deputy lord mayor to [Reg Withers](/source/Reg_Withers) from 1992. Roberts first ran for parliament at the [1993 state election](/source/1993_Western_Australian_state_election), standing unsuccessfully for the [Legislative Council](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Council) in fourth place on Labor's ticket in the [East Metropolitan Region](/source/Electoral_region_of_East_Metropolitan). She entered the [Legislative Assembly](/source/Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly) the following year, winning the [1994 Glendalough by-election](/source/1994_Glendalough_state_by-election) (caused by the resignation of former premier [Carmen Lawrence](/source/Carmen_Lawrence)). Roberts was included in the shadow ministry of [Ian Taylor](/source/Ian_Taylor_(Australian_politician)) a few months after her election, and remained a shadow minister under [Jim McGinty](/source/Jim_McGinty) and [Geoff Gallop](/source/Geoff_Gallop). She transferred to the [seat of Midland](/source/Electoral_district_of_Midland) at the [1996 state election](/source/1996_Western_Australian_state_election), following the elimination of Glendalough in a redistribution.[http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament%5CMemblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/Roberts,+Michelle+Hopkins?opendocument Hon. Michelle Hopkins Roberts MLA BA, DipEd], Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 31 January 2017. ===2001–2008: cabinet minister=== After Labor's victory at the [2001 state election](/source/2001_Western_Australian_state_election), Roberts was appointed [Minister for Police](/source/Minister_for_Police_(Western_Australia)), [Minister for Emergency Services](/source/Minister_for_Emergency_Services_(Western_Australia)), and [Minister for Local Government](/source/Minister_for_Local_Government_(Western_Australia)). She lost the local government portfolio to [Tom Stephens](/source/Tom_Stephens) in a reshuffle in July 2001, at which point her other two portfolios were merged. In June 2003, Roberts was also made [Minister for Justice](/source/Minister_for_Justice_(Western_Australia)) and [Minister for Community Safety](/source/Minister_for_Community_Safety_(Western_Australia)). She lost the justice portfolio to [John D'Orazio](/source/John_D'Orazio) in a reshuffle after the [2005 state election](/source/2005_Western_Australian_state_election). When Geoff Gallop resigned as premier and leader of the Labor Party in January 2006, Roberts was one of three candidates to replace him, along with [Alan Carpenter](/source/Alan_Carpenter) and [Jim McGinty](/source/Jim_McGinty). Both she and McGinty withdrew their candidacies before a formal vote was held.[https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Carpenter-looking-good-for-top-job "Carpenter looking good for top job"], ''Business News Western Australia'', 17 January 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2017.[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/energy-minister-to-take-over-as-wa-premier/2006/01/21/1137734185800.html "Energy minister to take over as WA premier"], ''[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)'', 21 January 2006. Retrieved 31 January 2017. In the new ministry, Roberts became [Minister for Housing and Works](/source/Minister_for_Housing_(Western_Australia)), [Minister for Consumer Protection](/source/Minister_for_Consumer_Protection_(Western_Australia)), [Minister for Heritage](/source/Minister_for_Heritage_(Western_Australia)), and [Minister for Land Information](/source/Minister_for_Land_Information_(Western_Australia)). She was additionally made [Minister for Indigenous Affairs](/source/Minister_for_Indigenous_Affairs_(Western_Australia)) in December 2006, although she lost the [consumer protection](/source/consumer_protection) portfolio. In March 2007, Roberts was also made [Minister for Employment Protection](/source/Minister_for_Employment_Protection_(Western_Australia)), serving in that role until being replaced by [Jon Ford](/source/Jon_Ford_(Australian_politician)) in February 2008. She held her remaining portfolios until Labor's defeat at the [2008 state election](/source/2008_Western_Australian_state_election). ===2008–2017: shadow cabinet=== After the 2008 election, Roberts was retained in the shadow cabinet of the new Labor leader, [Eric Ripper](/source/Eric_Ripper). She was initially given the education portfolio, but in February 2011 was promoted to shadow treasurer, replacing [Ben Wyatt](/source/Ben_Wyatt_(politician)) (who had unsuccessfully challenged for the leadership).[http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-national/ripper-promotes-leadership-rival-analysts-20110210-1anwp.html "Ripper promotes leadership rival: analysts"], ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', 10 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2017. When [Mark McGowan](/source/Mark_McGowan) succeeded Ripper as leader in January 2012, Wyatt returned as shadow treasurer and Roberts was instead made shadow police minister.[http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/mark-mcgowan-announces-labor-cabinet-reshuffle/news-story/2ef3061901456154aea29720cfba0e7e "Mark McGowan announces Labor cabinet reshuffle"], [PerthNow](/source/PerthNow), 27 January 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2017. She came close to losing her seat at the [2013 state election](/source/2013_Western_Australian_state_election), eventually winning Midland by just 24 votes on the [two-party-preferred](/source/two-party-preferred) count. This was a negative swing of 8.3 points from the [2008 election](/source/2008_Western_Australian_state_election).[http://www.abc.net.au/elections/wa/2013/guide/midl.htm Midland], WA Votes 2013, ABC News. Retrieved 31 January 2017. ===2017–2021: cabinet minister=== Labor regained government at the [2017 state election](/source/2017_Western_Australian_state_election), winning the largest majority government in the state's history at the time. Roberts herself saw off her 2013 opponent, Daniel Parasiliti, with somewhat less difficulty, picking up a swing of over 12 percent to turn Midland into a safe Labor seat at one stroke. She was appointed as Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety in McGowan's government. With former Premier [Colin Barnett](/source/Colin_Barnett)'s retirement from politics in 2018, Roberts became the Mother of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as its longest-serving member. ===2021–2025: Speaker of the Legislative Assembly=== After Labor was re-elected with an even larger majority in [2021](/source/2021_Western_Australian_state_election), Roberts was elected as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the first woman to hold the post. Her ascension to the post came as a record 28 women were elected to the Legislative Assembly. In her first address as Speaker, Roberts said that she took up the post 100 years after [Edith Cowan](/source/Edith_Cowan) became the first woman elected to a legislature at any level in Australia. "This is a clear signal to the community and to women of just how far we've come," she said, "but it has taken over a century to do it."{{cite news|url=https://7news.com.au/news/wa/wa-parliament-elects-first-female-speaker-c-2715821|title=WA parliament elects Michelle Roberts as its first female speaker of the Legislative Assembly|author1=Michael Ramsey|publisher=[Australian Associated Press](/source/Australian_Associated_Press)|work=[Seven News](/source/Seven_News)|date=29 April 2021}} She stood down at the [2025 Western Australian state election](/source/2025_Western_Australian_state_election).{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title='Lasting legacy': Speaker Michelle Roberts to quit politics |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/speaker-michelle-roberts-to-quit-state-politics-at-the-next-election-c-16414121 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=The West Australian |language=en}} She was succeeded by Labor candidate [Steve Catania](/source/Steve_Catania).{{Cite web |date=2025-03-09 |title=Midland - WA Electorate, Candidates, Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa/2025/guide/midl |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|au-wa-la}} {{s-bef|before=[Carmen Lawrence](/source/Carmen_Lawrence)}} {{s-ttl|title=Member for [Glendalough](/source/Electoral_district_of_Glendalough)|years=1994–1996}} {{s-non|reason=Abolished}} {{s-new|seat}} {{s-ttl|title=Member for [Midland](/source/Electoral_district_of_Midland)|years=1996–2025}} {{s-aft|after=[Steve Catania](/source/Steve_Catania)}} {{s-bef|before=[Peter Watson](/source/Peter_Watson_(politician))}} {{s-ttl|title=[Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly](/source/Speaker_of_the_Western_Australian_Legislative_Assembly)|years=2021–2025}} {{s-aft|after=[Stephen Price](/source/Stephen_Price_(Australian_politician))}} {{s-bef|before=[Paul Omodei](/source/Paul_Omodei)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Local Government](/source/Minister_for_Local_Government_(Western_Australia))|years=2001}} {{s-aft|after=[Tom Stephens](/source/Tom_Stephens)}} {{s-bef|before=[Kevin Prince](/source/Kevin_Prince_(politician))}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Police and Emergency Services](/source/Minister_for_Police_(Western_Australia))|years=2001–2006}} {{s-aft|after=[John D'Orazio](/source/John_D'Orazio)|rows=3}} {{s-bef|before=[Jim McGinty](/source/Jim_McGinty)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Justice](/source/Attorney-General_of_Western_Australia)|years=2003–2005}} {{s-new|creation}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Community Safety](/source/Minister_for_Police_(Western_Australia))|years=2003–2006}} {{s-bef|before=[John Kobelke](/source/John_Kobelke)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Consumer Protection](/source/Minister_for_Commerce_(Western_Australia))|years=2006}} {{s-aft|after=[Sheila McHale](/source/Sheila_McHale)}} {{s-bef|before=[Fran Logan](/source/Fran_Logan)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Housing and Works](/source/Minister_for_Housing_(Western_Australia))|years=2006–2008}} {{s-aft|after=[Troy Buswell](/source/Troy_Buswell)}} {{s-bef|before=[Fran Logan](/source/Fran_Logan)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Heritage](/source/Minister_for_Heritage_(Western_Australia))|years=2006–2008}} {{s-aft|after=[John Castrilli](/source/John_Castrilli)}} {{s-bef|before=[John Bowler](/source/John_Bowler_(politician))}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Land Information](/source/Minister_for_Lands_(Western_Australia))|years=2006–2008}} {{s-aft|after=[Brendon Grylls](/source/Brendon_Grylls)}} {{s-bef|before=[Sheila McHale](/source/Sheila_McHale)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Indigenous Affairs](/source/Minister_for_Aboriginal_Affairs_(Western_Australia))|years=2006–2008}} {{s-aft|after=[Kim Hames](/source/Kim_Hames)}} {{s-bef|before=[John Bowler](/source/John_Bowler_(politician))}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Employment Protection](/source/Minister_for_Employment_Protection_(Western_Australia))|years=2007–2008}} {{s-aft|after=[Jon Ford](/source/Jon_Ford_(Australian_politician))}} {{s-bef|before=[Liza Harvey](/source/Liza_Harvey)|rows=2}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Police](/source/Minister_for_Police_(Western_Australia))|years=2017–2021}} {{s-aft|after=[Paul Papalia](/source/Paul_Papalia)|rows=2}} {{s-ttl|title=[Minister for Road Safety](/source/Minister_for_Road_Safety_(Western_Australia))|years=2017–2021}} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Michelle}} Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Western Australia Category:Schoolteachers from Western Australia Category:Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Category:Politicians from Perth, Western Australia Category:Public servants of Western Australia Category:University of Western Australia alumni Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:21st-century Australian women politicians Category:Women members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Category:Perth City Councillors Category:Deputy mayors of places in Western Australia --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michelle Roberts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Roberts) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Roberts?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.