Natasha Stott Despoja

Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja (born 9 September 1969), Australian politician, has been an Australian Democrats member of the Australian Senate for South Australia since November 1995. She is the youngest woman ever elected to the Australian Parliament.

Related Topics:
9 September - 1969 - Australia - Australian Democrats - Australian Senate - South Australia - 1995

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Stott Despoja was born in Adelaide and educated at the University of Adelaide, where she graduated in arts and was active in student politics, winning the presidency of the University of Adelaide Student Association. She then worked as a political adviser for Democrat Senators John Coulter and Cheryl Kernot, before being appointed to replace Coulter following his resignation. She was elected to a term in her own right in 1996 and re-elected in 2001.

Related Topics:
Adelaide - University of Adelaide - John Coulter - Cheryl Kernot - 1996 - 2001

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Stott Despoja was elected Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats in 1997, and was elected leader from April 6, 2001, replacing Meg Lees. Although her relatively left-wing politics were popular with the grass roots of the Australian Democrats, they were not shared by the majority of her parliamentary contemporaries, and she resigned on August 21, 2002 due to a lack of support from the party room, following an ultimatum delivered by Senator John Cherry.

Related Topics:
1997 - April 6 - 2001 - Meg Lees - August 21 - 2002 - John Cherry

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During 2004 Stott Despoja took leave from the Senate following the birth of her first child. She has played little part in the recent leadership difficulties in the Democrats, and there is some speculation that she will not stand again at the 2007 election.

Related Topics:
2004 - 2007 election

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