Never take a step back

LOOKING back on her long career in politics, Jann Stuckey is as determined as ever.

Now in her 14th year as the Liberal National Party Member for Currumbin, she has endured political highs and lows – and has no regrets.

“I’ve been one of the incredibly fortunate ones to have lived this role and have seen my career go full circle,” she said.

“From losing my first election in 2001, to the honour of becoming Minister in 2012, to time in the opposition, there is so much to be grateful for.”

Formerly a nurse, Ms Stuckey said she had no political aspirations until she found her voice while helping her children’s school. It was that experience in advocacy that made her realise what could be achieved.

“A nurse is the opposite personality type for a politician, I am too much of a softie, but that doesn’t mean I am a shrinking violet,” she said.

As just the fifth female Liberal to win a seat in the Queenslad parliament, Ms Stuckey said she has grown through the ‘rough and tumble’.

There were originally no toilets for women parliamentarians in Queensland, so yes it was a very masculine place,” she said. “I am really grateful my nursing days stood me in good stead to give as good as I got.”

She describes herself as persistent and admits having a public face isn’t always easy. “I am not always a high achiever, or the brightest star, but I am a hard worker and I believe a whole lot of little things add up to a lot,” she said.

“Sometime when you look at the stuff you get criticised for you ... things still hurt me of course and I’ve been brought to tears by some of it.”

Recently Ms Stuckey has faced a backlash from her party over her vote in the decriminalisation of abortion in Queensland.

“There are no winners in these debates ... you can do it be honest and listen to as many people as you can,” she said.

The Gold Coast Bulletin’s inaugural Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign celebrates the city’s leading females.