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Amber-Jade Sanderson

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The Honourable
Amber-Jade Sanderson
MLA
Minister for Health
Incumbent
Assumed office
21 December 2021
PremierMark McGowan
Roger Cook
Preceded byRoger Cook
Minister for Mental Health
Incumbent
Assumed office
21 December 2021
PremierMark McGowan
Roger Cook
Preceded byRoger Cook
Minister for Environment
In office
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021
PremierMark McGowan
Preceded byStephen Dawson
Succeeded byReece Whitby
Minister for Climate Action
In office
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021
PremierMark McGowan
Preceded byNew office
Succeeded byReece Whitby
Minister for Commerce
In office
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021
PremierMark McGowan
Preceded byJohn Quigley
Succeeded byRoger Cook
Member of theWestern Australian Legislative AssemblyforMorley
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 March 2017
Preceded byIan Britza
Member of theWestern Australian Legislative CouncilforEast Metropolitan Region
In office
22 May 2013 – 5 February 2017
Personal details
Born(1976-10-25)25 October 1976(age 47)
Mascot, New South Wales,Australia
Political partyLabor
Alma materCardiff University
Websitewww.amberjadesanderson.au

Amber-Jade Sanderson(born 25 October 1976) is anAustralian Labor Partypolitician who is the member forMorleyin theWestern Australian Legislative Assembly,thelower houseof theParliament of Western Australia.Since 21 December 2021, she has beenMinister for HealthandMinister for Mental health.From 19 March 2021 to 21 December 2021, she wasMinister for Environment,Minister for Climate ActionandMinister for Commerce.She rose to prominence when she chaired theJoint Select Committee on End of Life Choices.From 22 May 2013 to 5 February 2017, she was a member of theWestern Australian Legislative Council,theupper houseof theParliament of Western Australia,for theEast Metropolitan Region.

Early life and career

[edit]

Amber-Jade Sanderson was born on 25 October 1976 inMascot, New South Wales,a suburb ofSydney.[1]Her parents wereTen Pound Pomswho had immigrated from England to Perth as teenagers during the 1970s.[2]She spent her early childhood inBayswater, Western Australia,a suburb ofPerth.When she was about five years old, her parents separated. She moved to London with her mother in 1986, and started living in England for the most part over the following 14 years. She attended eight or nine different schools in total,[3]including St Columba's School, Bayswater Primary School andJohn Forrest Secondary CollegeinMorley.[4][5]

AtCardiff University,Sanderson studied journalism with a focus on politics. She then worked in public affairs in London.[3]In 2001, she moved back to Perth and started working as a media advisor for the federal member forFremantle,Carmen Lawrence.[2][3]Sanderson's parents and siblings moved to Perth a couple of years later.[2]For about ten years, Sanderson worked for theLiquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union(renamed in 2011 to United Voice), rising as far as assistant state secretary.[2][3][6]

Political career

[edit]

Backbench

[edit]

Soon after becoming assistant secretary of United Voice, Sanderson waspreselectedby theLabor Partyas the third candidate on theirticketfor theEast Metropolitan Regionof theWestern Australian Legislative Council,theupper houseof theParliament of Western Australia.[3][7]She was elected at the2013 state election,with her term commencing on 22 May 2013.[1]

From 16 October 2013 to 5 February 2017, Sanderson was deputy chair of committees.[1]

On 5 February 2017, Sanderson resigned from the Legislative Council in order to run for theWestern Australian Legislative Assembly(lower house) seat ofMorley.The seat was traditionally a Labor seat, but it had been won at the previous two elections byLiberalMPIan Britza.[4][8]She was elected to that seat at the2017 electionwith 61.4% of thetwo-party-preferred voteand a 16.2% two-party-preferredswing.[8]

From 17 March 2017 to 19 March 2021, Sanderson was theparliamentary secretarytoMark McGowan,who was thepremier,minister for public sector management,minister for state development, jobs and trade,andminister for federal-state relations,as well as parliamentary secretary of thecabinet.[1]

Voluntary assisted dying

[edit]

In August 2017, Sanderson moved a motion for the establishment of theJoint Select Committee on End of Life Choices,with the purpose of reporting on the "need for laws in Western Australia to allow citizens to make informed decisions regarding their own end of life choices". The motion passed,[9]and so from 23 August 2017 to 23 August 2018, she was on that committee, including as chair from 4 September 2017.[1][10]This committee presented the "My Life, My Choice" report in August 2018, recommendingvoluntary assisted dyingbe allowed when "grievous and irremediable suffering related to an advanced and progressive terminal, chronic or neurodegenerative condition [...] where death is a reasonably foreseeable outcome of the condition".[11]Parliament later passed voluntary assisted dying into law, and Sanderson's role in this gained her prominence and speculation that she would one day become theminister for healthorpremier.[12][13]

Cabinet

[edit]

At the2021 state electionon 13 March 2021, Sanderson was re-elected as the member for Morley, with a two-party-preferred vote of 78.6% and a two-party-preferred swing of 16.2%.[14]Five days later, she joined the Western Australian cabinet when she was appointed as theminister for commerce,minister for environmentand the newly created position ofminister for climate action.[15][16]She relinquished those ministries when, on 21 December 2021,[1]Sanderson became the minister for health andmental health,replacingRoger Cook.Reece Whitbysucceeded Sanderson as the minister for environment and minister for climate Action, and Roger Cook succeeded her as the minister for commerce.[17][18]

Nurses union

[edit]

During 2022 and 2023, Sanderson has been having conflicts with theAustralian Nursing Federation(ANF) over the pay rates and work conditions for nurses. The ANF was demanding a 10 percent annual pay rise, above the government-wide three percent set out in the public sector wages policy. Other demands were for the one-off $3,000 "cost of living" payment to be increased to $4,500 and the institution of nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios. Starting in October 2022, the ANF began a seven-week series of escalating industrial action. Sanderson said "my message to the ANF and to nursing staff is stand down, it is not necessary to take such extraordinary industrial action at this point".[19][20]Sanderson then offered the ANF that the nurse-to-patient ratios be implemented but no change to the pay rise,[21]which the union voted overwhelmingly to reject.[22][23]

By 22 November, the ANF had changed its pay rise demands to a five percent pay rise.[24]The ANF and the government had still not reached a deal after that, so over 3,500 ANF members went on strike from 7am to 9pm on 25 November, despite an order from theWestern Australian Industrial Relations Commissionnot to go on strike. This was Western Australia's first nurses strike since 1998, and led to the cancellation of hundreds of elective surgeries.[25][26]The ANF was fined $350,000 for disobeying the Industrial Relations Commission.[27]

Maternity hospital

[edit]

In 2019, previous Health Minister Roger Cook announced that the dilapidatedKing Edward Memorial Hospital for Womenwould be closed and a new maternity hospital would open atQueen Elizabeth II Medical Centre(QEII), 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the Perth central business district (CBD). Construction was due to begin in 2021.[28][29]In April 2023 however, Sanderson announced that the hospital would instead be built next toFiona Stanley HospitalinMurdoch,16 kilometres (9.9 mi) south of the Perth CBD. Construction was planned to begin in 2024, and cost $1.8 billion. It was also revealed thatOsborne Park Hospitalnorth of Perth andPerth Children's Hospitalat QEII would be expanded to offset the move south of the planned maternity hospital. The change of site was because the business case and project definition plan identified that the QEII site had too many risks to the project's timeline and would cause unacceptable disruption to patients at QEII.[30][31]

The new site has been criticised for being too far away from the city, with theAustralian Medical Associationsaying that neonatologists or senior clinicians were not consulted and that the decision was arrogant. ProfessorKaren Simmer,who formerly led Western Australia'sneonatal intensive care unitsand coordinated emergency baby transfers, said the hospital's new location would increase the risk of death and disability to newborns as it was far away from Perth Children's Hospital, where those surgeries and intensive healthcare would take place. Sanderson defended the decision by saying "we did not consult with staff because we needed to make a decision and I was not prepared to delay the process anymore".[32][33]

Abortion

[edit]

In response to the United States overturningRoe v. Wadein June 2022, Sanderson stated that Western Australia's abortion laws were "outdated" and "probably not a model that’s fit for purpose now", but did not commit to changing them. At the time, women seeking an abortion after 20 weeks had to see an ethics panel consisting of six medical practitioners, two of whom must agree that either the mother or fetus has a severe medical condition that justifies the procedure. This caused many women to travel interstate to get an abortion. Other issues included that there were only two abortion service providers in the state and the high cost of the procedure.[34][35][36]In November 2022, she announced that the government would decriminalise abortion and undertake a four-week consultation period to see how abortion laws could change. Potential changes included increasing the gestational age limit from 20 weeks to 24, removing the need to get a referral from a GP, and modifying mandatory counselling requirements.[37][38][39]

2023 Labor Party leadership ballot

[edit]

Following Mark McGowan's announcement on 29 May 2023 of his imminent resignation as premier and Labor leader, Sanderson entered the ensuingleadership ballotas one of three candidates. She received backing from theUnited Workers Union(formerly United Voice) overRoger Cook,[40][41][42]but theAustralian Manufacturing Workers Unionbacked Cook over her.[40][43][44]Sanderson withdrew from the contest after that, leaving Cook as the sole nominee for premier.[45]Polling conducted in January 2023 by Painted Dog Research forThe West Australianshowed that Sanderson was favoured by 6 percent of voters to succeed McGowan if he were to retire, behind Cook at 15 percent andRita Saffiotiat 13 percent.[46]

Personal life

[edit]

Sanderson lives with her partner Phillip in Bayswater.[47]She has two children: her first child was with her previous husband whom she divorced during her first term in parliament; her second child was with her current partner.[48]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdef"Amber-Jade Sanderson".Parliament of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  2. ^abcd"Parliament of Western Australia: Inaugural Speech: Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, MLC (Member for East Metropolitan Region): Legislative Council"(PDF).Parliament of Western Australia.23 May 2013.Archived(PDF)from the original on 20 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  3. ^abcdeMitchell, Rhianna (6 February 2022). "In The Hot Seat".The Sunday Times.pp. STM 8–12.
  4. ^abShakespeare, Toyah (24 February 2016)."Liberal stronghold comes under fire".PerthNow.Archivedfrom the original on 20 June 2021.Retrieved11 March2022.
  5. ^"New faces in shadow cabinet".Echo News.3 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 19 June 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  6. ^"WA Labor: The Next Generation"(PDF).CGM Communications.March 2021. p. 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  7. ^Green, Antony."East Metropolitan Region".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on 11 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  8. ^abGreen, Antony."WA Election 2017: Electorate: Morley".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on 19 June 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  9. ^Kagi, Jacob (10 August 2017)."Legalising euthanasia: What you need to know after parliamentary inquiry announced".ABC News.Retrieved7 August2022.
  10. ^"Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA BA Minister for Health; Mental Health".Parliament of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 19 June 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  11. ^Phillips, Harry C.J.; Kerr, Liz (June 2019). "Western Australia July to December 2018".Australian Journal of Politics & History.65(2): 323.doi:10.1111/ajph.12580.ISSN0004-9522.S2CID197780585.
  12. ^Shine, Rhiannon; Carmody, James (17 December 2021)."Who is Western Australia's new Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson?".ABC News.Retrieved7 August2022.
  13. ^Law, Peter (19 January 2021)."Labor MP Amber-Jade Sanderson tipped to be next WA Health Minister if Roger Cook appointed Treasurer".The West Australian.Retrieved7 August2022.
  14. ^Green, Antony."2021 Western Australian Election: Morley".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on 11 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  15. ^Hastie, Hamish (18 March 2021)."Green groups charged up over new WA climate action minister".WAtoday.Archivedfrom the original on 17 December 2021.Retrieved17 December2021.
  16. ^"Premier announces re-elected Labor Government Ministry portfolios".Media Statements.18 March 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 19 June 2022.Retrieved17 December2021.
  17. ^Law, Peter; Zimmerman, Josh (17 December 2021)."Amber-Jade Sanderson replaces Roger Cook as Health Minister in Mark McGowan's Cabinet reshuffle".The West Australian.Retrieved17 December2021.
  18. ^Shine, Rhiannon (17 December 2021)."WA Cabinet reshuffle: Amber-Jade Sanderson replaces Roger Cook as Health Minister".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on 17 December 2021.Retrieved17 December2021.
  19. ^Carmody, James; Barker, Jade (13 October 2022)."West Australian government shuts down pay rise demands from Australian Nursing Federation".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  20. ^Le May, Rebecca; Rintoul, Caitlyn (13 October 2022)."WA health: Amber-Jade Sanderson says nurse wage and conditions offer 'final', won't commit to patient ratios".The West Australian.Retrieved2 June2023.
  21. ^Carmody, James; Mayes, Andrea; Bourke, Keane; Davis, Ashleigh (18 October 2022)."Nurses union rejects latest pay offer from WA government including staff-to-patient ratios".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  22. ^Hastie, Hamish (19 October 2022)."WA nurses begin action after overwhelming support from union members".WAtoday.Retrieved2 June2023.
  23. ^Rintoul, Caitlyn (20 October 2022)."WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says crisis talks over nurses wage offer to continue".The West Australian.Retrieved2 June2023.
  24. ^Burmas, Grace; Perpitch, Nicolas (23 November 2022)."WA nurse strike could be stopped by heeding five per cent pay demand, says union".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  25. ^Hastie, Hamish (23 November 2022)."Surgeries rescheduled as WA nurses prepare to strike regardless of legality".WAtoday.Retrieved2 June2023.
  26. ^Wildie, Tom (25 November 2022)."As nurses strike, WA's Industrial Relation Commission faces its biggest challenge in years".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  27. ^Bourke, Keane (26 May 2023)."Australian Nursing Federation's WA branch fined $350,000 over strike outside state parliament".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  28. ^"Run-down Perth maternity hospital to move".PerthNow.Australian Associated Press. 10 April 2019.Retrieved2 June2023.
  29. ^Perpitch, Nicolas (10 April 2019)."King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco to be closed, new hospital built at QEII Medical Centre".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  30. ^Burmas, Grace (11 April 2023)."WA government to build maternity hospital at Fiona Stanley, scrapping original plans for facility at QEII".ABC News.Retrieved2 June2023.
  31. ^"New location for Women and Babies Hospital to expand facilities".Media Statements.11 April 2023. Archived fromthe originalon 2 June 2023.Retrieved2 June2023.
  32. ^Hastie, Hamish (27 April 2023)."'Arrogant': Zero doctors consulted for controversial babies hospital move ".WAtoday.Retrieved2 June2023.
  33. ^Zimmerman, Josh (27 April 2023)."No consultation with clinicians before shock Cabinet decision to move Perth maternity hospital".The West Australian.Retrieved2 June2023.
  34. ^Trigger, Rebecca (4 July 2022)."Women who made abortion legal in Australia say now is the time for further reform".ABC News.Retrieved7 August2022.
  35. ^Zimmerman, Josh; Law, Peter (28 June 2022)."WA abortion laws: Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson flags reform of legislation after Roe v Wade".The West Australian.Retrieved7 August2022.
  36. ^Ramsey, Michael (28 June 2022)."WA has its 'limitations' but health minister won't commit to abortion law changes".WAtoday.Australian Associated Press.Retrieved7 August2022.
  37. ^Emery, Kate (20 November 2022)."Abortion rights: WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to overhaul outdated laws and fully decriminalise".The West Australian.Retrieved30 May2023.
  38. ^Ho, Cason (20 November 2022)."WA Government set to modernise state's abortion laws, following community consultation".ABC News.Retrieved30 May2023.
  39. ^"McGowan Government to reform WA's abortion laws".Media Statements.20 November 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 30 May 2023.Retrieved30 May2023.
  40. ^abBurmas, Grace (30 May 2023)."Amber-Jade Sanderson the frontrunner to replace Mark McGowan after winning key WA Labor vote".ABC News.Retrieved30 May2023.
  41. ^Zimmerman, Josh (30 May 2023)."Amber-Jade Sanderson wins vital backing of United Workers Union in bid to be WA's next Premier".The West Australian.Retrieved30 May2023.
  42. ^Hastie, Hamish (30 May 2023)."Amber-Jade Sanderson gains majority support to be WA's next premier".WAtoday.Retrieved30 May2023.
  43. ^Rintoul, Caitlyn; Zimmerman, Josh (30 May 2023)."Race to be WA Premier: Roger Cook gets backing of AMWU as Labor's left splits".The West Australian.Retrieved30 May2023.
  44. ^Hastie, Hamish (30 May 2023)."Roger Cook leapfrogs Amber-Jade Sanderson in race to become WA's next premier".WAtoday.Retrieved30 May2023.
  45. ^De Ceglie, Anthony; Zimmerman, Josh (30 May 2023)."Roger Cook to be new Premier of WA as Amber-Jade Sanderson withdraws from race".The West Australian.Retrieved30 May2023.
  46. ^Clarke, Tim; Zimmerman, Josh (29 May 2023)."Who will replace Mark McGowan as Premier? The contenders for WA's top job".The West Australian.Retrieved29 May2023.
  47. ^"Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson BA MLA".Government of Western Australia.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2022.Retrieved11 March2022.
  48. ^"Parliament of Western Australia: Valedictory Speech: Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson, MLC (Member for East Metropolitan Region): Legislative Council"(PDF).Parliament of Western Australia.Archived(PDF)from the original on 27 December 2021.Retrieved11 March2022.
Parliament of Western Australia
Preceded by Member forEast Metropolitan Region
22 May 2013 – 5 February 2017
Served alongside:Alanna Clohesy,Samantha Rowe,
Helen Morton,Donna Faragher,Alyssa Hayden 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member forMorley
11 March 2017 – present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Minister for Environment
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021 		Succeeded by
New title Minister for Climate Action
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021
Preceded by Minister for Commerce
19 March 2021 – 21 December 2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Health
21 December 2021 – present 		Incumbent
Minister for Mental Health
21 December 2021 – present
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amber-Jade_Sanderson&oldid=1229946423"