Fran Bailey Former Howard Government Minister

Fran served as a Liberal Member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1990 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 2010.

A secondary school teacher, retailer and cashmere goat breeder before entering politics, Fran was the first woman from any political party to represent a rural electorate in the lower house, and the first female Liberal elected to a Victorian seat.

During her time in Parliament, she served in the Howard Government as Minister for Employment Services and Minister for Small Business and Tourism.

She retired from Parliament at the 2010 election, following a knife-edge result in the 2007 election.