MARIA KOVAČIĆ iz Sydneya /Australija, senatorica u Vladi Australije
Nominiramo za Hercgovku godine jednu izuzetnu ženu, damu, iz daleke Australije, točnije grada Sydneya.
Njezina snažna životna i profesionalna priča – od kćeri hrvatskih migranata i samohrane majke do senatorice – svjedoči o iznimnoj upornosti, snazi i predanosti javnom dobru.
Otac senatorice Kovačić porijeklom je iz Turčinovića (Široki Brijeg), a majka iz sela Miši (Livanjski kraj).
Put do “zvjezdanih staza” nije bio nimalo lagan kao kćeri roditelja koji su emigrirali. Ni to što je samohrana majka nije ju sputavalo, već je svojim tvrdim hercegovačkim genima i ustrajnošću hrabro kročila naprijed do pozicije senatorice u Australiji.
Svojim radom kontinuirano skreće pozornost na ključne društvene izazove, posebno na stambenu krizu te potrebu poboljšanja uvjeta za mlade obitelji i žene. Kao poduzetnica i suosnivačica inicijativa za osnaživanje žena u Zapadnom Sydneyu, pokazala je dugogodišnji, dosljedan angažman u izgradnji snažnije i pravednije zajednice.
Također, njezino zalaganje u Senatu za slobode, jednakost i odgovorne reforme koje nadilaze stranačke razlike potvrđuje njezinu viziju i hrabrost. Upravo takav spoj iskustva, integriteta i društvenog angažmana, i njezinim hercegovačkim genima, čini ju idealnom kandidatkinjom za ovo prestižno priznanje. Senatorica Kovačić pridružena je nizu uglednih žena diljem svijeta koje svoje podrijetlo vežu uz ponosnu Hercegovinu.
Biography
Parliamentary service
Chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales on 31.5.2023 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice A Molan (deceased).
Parliamentary positions
Temporary Chair of Committees from 22.7.2025.
Committee service
Joint Standing: Parliamentary Library served from 13.6.2023 to 24.3.2025; Parliamentary Library served as Chair from 24.3.2025 to 28.3.2025; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 24.7.2025 to 31.7.2025; National Disability Insurance Scheme served as Deputy Chair from 31.7.2025 to present
Joint Statutory: Public Works served from 9.9.2024 to present
Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation served from 13.6.2023 to 21.7.2025; Community Affairs: References served from 13.6.2023 to 21.7.2025; Education and Employment: References served from 13.6.2023 to 29.7.2025; Education and Employment: Legislation served from 22.7.2025 to 29.7.2025; Education and Employment: Legislation served as Deputy Chair from 29.7.2025 to present; Education and Employment: References served as Chair from 29.7.2025 to present
Senate Select: Supermarket Prices served from 26.2.2024 to 7.5.2024
Senate Standing: Senators’ Interests served from 13.6.2023 to 21.7.2025; Selection of Bills served from 14.5.2024 to 21.7.2025
Parliamentary party positions
Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 31.05.2023 to present
Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition from 28.5.2025.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Women from 28.5.2025.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence from 28.5.2025.
Opposition Deputy Whip in the Senate from 14.3.2024.
Party positions
President of the Liberal Party Westleigh Fox Valley Branch (NSW) from May 2018 to November 2020.
Vice-President of the Liberal Party Hornsby State Electorate Conference (NSW) from May 2018 to November 2020.
President of the Liberal Party Berowra Federal Electorate Conference (NSW) from July 2019 to October 2022.
President of the Liberal Party Hornsby State Electorate Conference (NSW) from March 2021 to October 2022.
President of the Liberal Party (NSW) from 4.10.2022 to 20.4.2023.
Personal
Born: 1970, Queanbeyan, Australia
Gender: Female
Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament
DipFS (FMBM) (TAFE).
GAICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors).
Franchise Business Owner ANZ Bank from January 2006 to 30.11.2021.
President, Board Chair and Board Member of Hills Community Aid & Information Service from March 2015 to September 2022.
Co-founder of Western Sydney Women from June 2015 to July 2019.
Managing Partner at Western Sydney Advisory from March 2016 to June 2019.
Women@Eels Steering Committee Member for the Parramatta Eels NRL Club from February 2018 to May 2023.
Member of the Women@Eels NRLW Advisory Committee from February 2018 to May 2023.
Director at the Franchise Council of Australia from November 2020 to May 2023.
Deputy Chair of Croatian Women in Leadership (AUS-NZ) from July 2021 to August 2022.
