Penny Sharpe
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Minister for Climate Change
Minister for Energy
Minister for the Environment
Minister for Heritage
Member of the Legislative Council
Penny has been a Member of the NSW Legislative Council since October 2005 and was appointed the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Minister for Environment and Heritage and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council on 28 March 2023.
Penny served as Deputy Leader of the Labor Party from November 2018 to March 2019 and as Interim Leader from April 2019 to June 2019.
Penny has previously served as the Shadow Minister for Planning, Environment and Heritage; Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services; Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion; Parliamentary Secretary for Transport; Parliamentary Secretary for Mining and Energy; and has also served as the Attorney General's representative to the NSW Privacy Advisory Committee and has sat on a number of committees including Legislation Review, Privileges, Electoral Matters and the Joint Committee for Children and Young People.
Penny's policy interests include equality, the environment, transport, better cities, innovation, LGBTQI law reform, women, and using technology to improve democracy.
Prior to entering parliament, Penny worked as a policy advisor to state ministers, designed workplace learning programs for young people and was the President of the National Union of Students. She also served as a Councillor on Marrickville Council from 2004 to 2008.
Penny lives in Sydney's Inner West with her partner, three children and a variety of pets. Penny has been a foster carer for young women aged 15–17 and served on the management committees of several childcare centres. In 1999 she co-edited a book called 'Party Girls: Labor women now'. Penny has held a variety of positions in local branches and has been a delegate to state and national conferences.
Penny became involved in politics because she wanted to change the world immediately. That passion continues as Penny works to ensure equality, sustainability and a NSW where the public good is at the centre of every decision.
Connect with Penny:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (02) 9230 2741
Website: www.pennysharpe.com
Facebook: PennySharpeMLC
Twitter: @PennySharpemlc
Instagram: @pennysharpemlc
