Sharon Grierson

Sharon Joy Grierson (born 4 May 1951 in Newcastle, New South Wales) was educated at Newcastle Teachers College, and worked as a teacher and school principal before entering politics.

Sharon Grierson
Member of the Australian Parliament for Newcastle
In office 10 November 2001 – 5 August 2013
Preceded by	Allan Morris
Succeeded by	Sharon Claydon
Personal details
Born	(1951-05-04) 4 May 1951 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Residence	Newcastle, New South Wales
Occupation	Teacher; Politician

Grierson became a member of the Australian Labor Party, and was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in November 2001, representing the Division of Newcastle. She was re-elected in 2004, 2007 and 2010.

However, in July 2012, Grierson announced she would not seek re-election in 2013, citing the need to attend to family and personal health problems.[1]

She has been the only Labor MP to sign the Australian Marriage Equality Charter, and voted in favour of legislation to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia when it was presented in parliament. She also chaired the Public Accounts and Audit Committee.[1]

She was co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia, a parliamentary friendship group that advocates for Australians living with dementia, their families and carers.