Jennifer Ruth Howard (born 12 July 1965) is an Australian politician. She has been the

Labor Labour or labor may refer to: * Childbirth, the delivery of a baby * Labour (human activity), or work ** Manual labour, physical work ** Wage labour, a socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer ** Organized labour and the labour ...

member for

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, ...

in the

Queensland Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly of Queensland is the sole chamber of the unicameral Parliament of Queensland established under the Constitution of Queensland. Elections are held every four years and are done by full preferential voting. The Assembly h ...

since 2015. Jennifer has been active in community groups such as

Zonta International Zonta International is an international service organization with the mission of Building a Better World for Women and Girls, in support of Sustainable Development Goal 5. Alan Axelrod, ''International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Frate ...

, school P&Cs, sporting club committees, and other community groups. In 2005, Jennifer played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Ipswich Women's Development Network, a not-for-profit organisation that helps empower women in Ipswich.

Political career

2015 State Election

Howard defeated Ian Berry at the 2015 Queensland state election by a margin of 65.9% to 34.1%, achieving a two party preferred swing of 20.09%.

2017 State Election

The main contenders for the seat of Ipswich at the 2017 Queensland state election were Howard (as the incumbent)and the recently dismissed One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts. The results on polling day were clear as the former Senator was comfortably defeated by Howard, with a margin of 60.89% to 39.11%.

2020 State Election

This election saw Howard's primary vote increase to 51.8% (3.82% swing) bringing her total vote to 66.5% beating her LNP opponent Scott O'Connell at 33.5%.

2024 State Election

This election saw Howard's primary vote decrease to 42.65% (9.15% swing) bringing her total TPP vote to 60.94% beating her LNP opponent Damian Culpeper at 39.06%.

Parliamentary Positions

Howard has served as the Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment (2023 - 2024), Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Assistant Minister of State (2017–2020), Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier (2016–2017), and Assistant Minister for Local Government (2015–2016). She also served as the Chair of the Ethics (2020–2024), and Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee (2015–2016).

References

1965 births Living people Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Queensland 21st-century Australian politicians Women members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 21st-century Australian women politicians Zonta International people People from Mackay, Queensland {{Australia-Labor-Queensland-MP-stub