Louise was Head of the Office for Women in November 2015 until June 2016. Prior to that she was Acting Director of the WGEA. Louise is a lawyer and was previously a senior Australian government public servant, having held leadership roles in labour relations law and industry engagement. She successfully implemented Australia’s first demand led seasonal labour migration program, bringing workers from Pacific Island countries to fill vacancies in Australian horticulture. She has also been an expert advisor to United Nations agencies in Sri Lanka and Myanmar on law reform.

Prior to her appointment, Louise spent four years on a diplomatic posting at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where she worked across the education and science sectors to deepen bilateral relations and engagement in education.

Louise holds an LLB (Hons) and a Masters in Gender and Development from the Australian National University.

Areas of Expertise