Biography
THE HON SHEILA M McHALE MLA
Minister for Disability Services; Tourism; Culture and the Arts; Consumer Protection
Member for Kenwick
Sheila McHale is Western Australia's Minister for Disability Services, Tourism, Culture and the Arts and Consumer Protection.
Sheila understands and strongly advocates the economic benefits tourism brings to WA and the strength of culture and the arts in making for a vibrant society. She also believes strongly in the importance of protecting consumers in today's complex marketplace and ensuring the needs of Western Australians with a disability are looked after.
Sheila has a Bachelor of Arts degree and postgraduate diploma and international experience in both the private and public sectors.
Born in Yorkshire, England, she gained a love for Western Australia after emigrating in 1978.
Sheila was elected to State Parliament in 1996 for the Australian Labor Party. While in Opposition, she was the Shadow Minister for Health, the Arts and Heritage.
This followed three years in local Government as an elected councillor.
In 2001, she was re-elected to Parliament as the Gallop Government swept to power. She was appointed a Cabinet Minister, as Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; and Culture and the Arts.
Ms McHale was also the first Minister to be appointed with responsibility for Volunteer Services. The State Government's policy Valuing Volunteers was the first in the State's history.
With the re-distribution of electoral boundaries, Ms McHale was re-elected as the Member for Kenwick at the 2005 State Election and re-appointed to cabinet.