Robyn Parker

{{Short description|Australian politician}}

{{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = File:RobynParker.png

| caption =

| honorific-prefix =

| honorific-suffix =

| office1 = Minister for the Environment

| premier1 = Barry O'Farrell

| term_start1 = 3 April 2011

| term_end1 = 23 April 2014

| predecessor1 = Frank Sartor

| successor1 = Rob Stokes

| office2 = Minister for Heritage

| term_start2 = 3 April 2011

| term_end2 = 23 April 2014

| premier2 = Barry O'Farrell

| predecessor2 = Tony Kelly

| successor2 = Rob Stokes

| constituency_MP = Maitland

| parliament = New South Wales

| predecessor = Frank Terenzini

| successor = Jenny Aitchison

| term_start = 26 March 2011

| term_end = 28 March 2015

| office3 = Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales

| term_start3 = 22 March 2003

| term_end3 = 26 March 2011

| predecessor3 =

| successor3 =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1958|8|3}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Liberal Party

| relations =

| spouse = David Parker

| children =

| residence =

| occupation = Teacher and childcare worker

| religion =

| signature =

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

Robyn Mary Parker (born 3 August 1958) is an Australian former politician. She was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Maitland for the Liberal Party from 2011 to 2015 and was previously a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales between 2003 and 2011.{{Cite NSW Parliament |name=The Hon. Robyn Mary Parker (1958- ) |former=Yes |access-date=1 May 2019 |id=2219}} Parker was the New South Wales Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Heritage in the O'Farrell government from 2011 until April 2014. Parker was succeeded by Rob Stokes in the Baird cabinet.

Early years and background

Parker was born to parents, Adeline and Campbell McEwen. Her family has its origins in the dairy farming district of Taranaki, New Zealand.{{cite web | title = Local Government Amendment (National Competition Policy Review) Bill (Maiden speech) |work=Hansard – Legislative Council of New South Wales |url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20030520035 |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales |date=20 May 2003 |accessdate=30 April 2011 }} She studied at the Palmerston North Teachers' College at Massey University, New Zealand and obtained a Diploma of Teaching. She subsequently worked as a development officer with a focus on Children's Services for the City of Sunshine between 1979 and 1980; a Family Day Care Co-ordinator for the City of Oakleigh between 1981 and 1982, and for Queensland Centacare between 1982 and 1983. After moving to Maitland in the mid-1980s, she was the Co-ordinator of a mobile resource service between 1984 and 1995 and she also taught child studies for TAFE between 1985 and 1992. At Maitland, she developed one of the first mobile community outreach programs for that city.

Her interest in politics became evident in 1999, when she became a political advisor to Senator John Tierney but left in November 2001 to become a manager at a skin cancer centre in Lake Macquarie. At the clinic she developed and implemented a program to encourage women to take leadership positions within politics, particularly the Liberal party.{{cite news | title = Ex-staffer wins hot seat on State ticket | last = Gadd | first = Michael | date = 29 April 2002 | newspaper = The Newcastle Herald }}

Parker was the Vice-President of the Liberal Party of New South Wales in 1997–2000, and was the president of the NSW Women's Council in 2000–2003. As head of the Liberal Women's Forum, she supported the training and mentoring of women in all levels of Government and initiated the Pathways to Political Leadership Programme.{{Cite web|title=Liberal Women's Council - History|url=https://nsw.liberal.org.au/State/Liberal-Womens-Council/History|access-date=2021-10-18|website=nsw.liberal.org.au|language=en-AU}}

Political career

=Ministerial career=

As Minister for the Environment, Parker has sought to increase penalties for pollution{{cite news|last=Kelley|first=Matthew|title=Journalist|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2121605/polluters-face-bigger-penalties/?cs=305|access-date=2 March 2014|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|date=1 March 2014}} and develop an independent Environment Protection Authority. She pursued a science-based approach to recovery of threatened species and secured additional funding for these programs.{{cite news|last=Hannam|first=Peter|title=Journalist|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/survival-is-winning-the-numbers-game-20131213-2zcm6.html|accessdate=2 March 2014|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 December 2013}}

During Parker's ministry, the EPA also introduced an energy and waste policy aimed at business recycling across NSW, and programs to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.{{cite news|last=Norris|first=Sam|title=Reducing Organic Waste|url=http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2087754/reducing-organic-waste/|newspaper=Maitland Mercury|date=14 February 2014}}{{cite news|title=NSW announces two new grants to support landfill recycling|url=http://bayanihannews.com.au/2014/02/19/nsw-announces-two-two-new-grants-to-support-landfill-recylcing/|accessdate=25 May 2014|newspaper=Bayanihan News|date=18 February 2014}} In three years as heritage minister Parker delivered a record number of Maitland buildings to the state heritage register including Maitland's Jewish Cemetery.{{cite news|last1=DAVIS|first1=BELINDA-JANE|title=Liberals look to push Robyn Parker out in fight for Maitland|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2237659/liberals-look-to-push-robyn-parker-out-in-fight-for-maitland/|access-date=8 June 2014|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|date=23 April 2014}}

During her time as Minister for the Environment, Parker also oversaw the creation of the most comprehensive air quality network in Australia

Securing the International World Parks Congress for Sydney in November 2014, greater support for Taronga Zoo's conservation program, the

introduction of legislation banning solaria, making NSW the second in the world to do so (a lead other states have followed) and provided increased funding for community, local government, not for profit and aboriginal heritage projects throughout New South Wales.[http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2630102/robyn-parker-will-not-recontest-seat-of-maitland-photos-editorial/#slide=29]{{cite news|last1=Bielby|first1=Nick|title=Maitland MP Robyn Parker confirms she will not contest 2015 state election|url=http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2630102/robyn-parker-will-not-recontest-seat-of-maitland-photos-editorial/#slide=29|accessdate=30 November 2014|publisher=Maitland Mercury|date=16 October 2014}}

Parker and the Environment Protection Authority received a lot of criticism following a hexavalent chromium emission at Orica's ammonium nitrate plant in Newcastle in August 2011;.{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/orica/ |title=Orica hexavalent chromium emission incident, Kooragang Island |publisher=NSW Office of Environment and Heritage |date=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103191746/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/orica/ |archive-date=3 January 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/08/12/health-advice-over-orica-spill/ |title=Health advice over Orica spill |work=NBN News |date=12 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816194951/http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2011/08/12/health-advice-over-orica-spill/ |archive-date=16 August 2011 }} Parker refused to apologise for why there was a delay in informing the public of the spill claiming she was left off of a crucial departmental email.{{cite news|author1=Sikora, Kate|author2=Chambers, Geoff|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/enevironment-minister-robyn-parker-wont-apologise-over-orica-scandal/story-e6freuzi-1226120794656|title=Environment Minister Robyn Parker won't apologise over Orica scandal|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|date=24 August 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}} The Sydney Morning Herald reported " It was also reported that there was a pattern going back more than a decade with 32 documented serious pollution incidents in New South Wales since 1999 in which companies failed to notify authorities within 24 hours.{{cite news|last1=Cubby|first1=Ben|title=Cultural hidden leaks uncovered as firms fail to notify|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/culture-of-hidden-leaks-uncovered-as-firms-fail-to-notify-20111005-1l9km.html|accessdate=6 March 2015|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 October 2011}} Parker has been criticised for not notifying the public about the incident until Thursday afternoon, three days later, despite being informed on Wednesday evening."{{cite news|title=Premier drawn into Orica row|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/premier-drawn-into-orica-row-20110825-1jcjb.html#ixzz32mGH2mql|author1=Tovey, Josephine|date=26 August 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} The Parliamentary report showed that Parker was notified about the incident by the Office of Environment and Heritage on 10 August 2011 at 4.23pm. In the morning of 11 August 2011, the Premier's Chief of Staff was notified by Parker's office and Parker informed the parliament at 3:30pm.{{cite web|title=Kooragang Island Orica Chemical leak inquiry 23 February 2013|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/D5C264B9E319C719CA2578F7007FC585?open&refnavid=CO4_1|accessdate=6 March 2015}} It was reported that Parker received media training from journalist John Mangos to handle the crisis.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/minister-robyn-parker-put-in-to-spin-training-over-orica-chemical-spill/story-e6frfkp9-1226134259909|title=Minister Robyn Parker put in to spin training over Orica chemical spill|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|date=12 September 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}} The head of Orica claimed he tried to contact Parker about the spill three times with no success. Parker responded "The time for Orica to contact the Government and environmental authorities was as soon as the Kooragang Island leak occurred – not seven days later".{{cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/438939/inquiry-hears-robyn-parker-was-too-busy-to-speak-with-orica-chief/|title=Inquiry hears Robyn Parker was too busy to speak with Orica chief|work=Newcastle Herald|date=17 November 2011|access-date=27 May 2014|author=Harris, Michelle }} In November 2011, NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson called on the Premier to sack Parker saying "the job of a minister is to take responsibility for protecting the community and from day one, Ms Parker has clearly failed to live up to that standard".{{cite news|url=http://www.afr.com/p/home/minister_failed_to_take_orica_calls_4hkoa5A8yKqQfzXqmFcAoN|title=Minister failed to take Orica's calls, inquiry told|work=Australian Financial Review|author=Forrestal, Luke|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}} An upper house inquiry into the Orica incident was released in February 2012, the inquiry's report stated "The delay by the Minister for the Environment in informing the public regarding the leak, whether by press statement, ministerial statement or other means, was unacceptable"{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/unacceptable-delay-damning-report-into-orica-leak-20120223-1tpad.html#ixzz32mGyBg31|title='Unacceptable delay': damning report into Orica leak|author=Tovey, Josephine|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 February 2012|accessdate=27 May 2014}}{{cite book|work=Select Committee on the Kooragang Island Orica Chemical Leak|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/2aaffe5684a88ac6ca2579ac007c4430/$FILE/120223%20Orica%20Report.pdf|type=PDF|title=Kooragang Island Orica chemical leak|publisher=Legislative Council of New South Wales|date=23 February 2012|accessdate=27 May 2014|isbn=978-1-921286-81-0|location=Sydney|pages=180}} The inquiry also stated "in this instance Minister Parker's actions led to a great deal of political debate ultimately increasing public concern and confusion about the leak."

Immediately after the Orica incident the Government held an independent inquiry with an independent chairperson. Brendan O'Reilly, the former director general of the NSW Premier's department.{{cite news|title=Tough new laws to follow Orica report|url=http://www.afr.com/p/business/companies/tough_new_laws_to_follow_orica_report_jnDUZxenatgQkaP4JsVFUI|accessdate=30 May 2014|newspaper=Financial Review|date=5 October 2011}} O'Reilly's report stated that "The public were exposed to the media reporting of the political debate with claims and counter claims being made. This resulted in increased concerns and confusion in the minds of the public."{{cite report|last=O'Reilly|first=Brendan|date=September 2013|title=A review into the response to the serious pollution incident at Orica Australia Pty. Ltd. ammonium nitrate plant at Walsh Point, Kooragang Island on August 8, 2011|url=http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/131160/A_review_into_the_response_to_the_serious_pollution_incident_at_Orica_Australia_Pty._Ltd._ammonium_nitrate_plant_at_Walsh_Point,_Kooragang_Island_on_August_8,_2011.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218082429/http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/131160/A_review_into_the_response_to_the_serious_pollution_incident_at_Orica_Australia_Pty._Ltd._ammonium_nitrate_plant_at_Walsh_Point,_Kooragang_Island_on_August_8,_2011.pdf|archive-date=18 February 2017}}

On 11 October 2011, Parker introduced [http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20111011052?open&refNavID=HA8_1 the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment Bill] into the Parliament aimed at strengthening the ability of the Environment Protection Authority to regulate serious pollution incidents by significantly improving notification requirements and pollution incident response management provisions and increase penalties for non-compliance. The Bill was passed on 13 October 2011.

In a budget estimates hearing in 2011, Parker stated "logging protects koalas." In reference to this quote, Parker stated "[It] doesn't help koalas you know, this was a heated exchange," and "I was interrupted continuously and so I've missed a couple of words out in one sentence."{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-27/logging-protects-koalas-says-nsw-minister/3604000|title=Minister declares logging protects koalas|author=Foschia, Liz|work=ABC News|date=27 October 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014|location=Australia}}{{cite news|title=Logging protects koalas, Environment Minister Robyn Parker says|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/logging-protects-koalas-environment-minister-robyn-parker-says/story-e6freuzi-1226178903729|author=Sikora, Kate|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|date=28 October 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/nsw-accused-on-koala-habitat-logging/story-e6frfku0-1226198453953|title=NSW accused on koala habitat logging|work=news.com.au|date=18 November 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/477826/calls-for-robyn-parker-to-resign/ |title = Calls for Robyn Parker to resign|date = 27 October 2011}} Opposition environment spokesperson Luke Foley said that Parker had broken her government's promise of protecting koalas.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/nsw-failing-to-protect-koalas-labor-20111027-1mlnt.html|title=NSW failing to protect koalas: Labor|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=AAP|date=27 October 2011|accessdate=27 May 2014}} Foley also said "Robyn Parker is allowing a national icon to be endangered thanks to her 'unsound ecological approach' "{{Cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/government-accused-on-koala-habitat-logging-20111118-1nmns.html#ixzz33D66QPnw |title = Government accused on koala habitat logging|date = 18 November 2011}}

In one of her last acts as Minister for Environment, Parker launched a master plan for Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The plan was seen as controversial {{Cite web | url=http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/ministers-set-to-be-axed-in-nsw-shakeup/2696045.aspx | title=Ministers set to be axed in NSW shake-up| date=22 April 2014}} and criticised by the opposition and former Australian of the Year Ian Kiernan as commercialisation of the gardens.{{Cite web | url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/labor-vows-to-stop-commercialisation-of-sydneys-royal-botanic-gardens-20140412-36k03.html |title = Labor vows to stop commercialisation of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens|date = 12 April 2014}} Former Prime Minister Paul Keating also criticised the plan saying "While the government is spending a lot of money on a cultured headland park at Barangaroo to the west, the same government, with the authority of environment minister Robyn Parker, is spending money to destroy the gardens to the east".{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/07/nsw-minister-says-critics-are-going-troppo-over-botanic-gardens-plan | title=NSW minister says critics are 'going troppo' over Botanic Gardens plan| newspaper=The Guardian| date=7 April 2014| last1=Davidson| first1=Helen}}

In 2014, Rob Stokes succeeded Parker as the new Minister for the Environment in Premier Mike Baird's cabinet.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/ministers-axed-in-nsw-shakeup-20140421-370pl.html |title=Ministers axed in NSW shake-up |author=Nicholls, Sean |date=22 April 2014 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=24 April 2014 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-22/maitland-mp-loses-cabinet-position-in-reshuffle/5402846?§ion=news |title=Maitland MP loses cabinet position in reshuffle |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=22 April 2014 |accessdate=24 April 2014 }} Despite being endorsed as the candidate for the seat of Maitland, Parker announced her retirement from Parliament and did not contest the election held in March 2015.{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Michelle|title=Robyn Parker announces retirement|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2629836/robyn-parker-announces-retirement/|access-date=6 March 2015|newspaper=Newcastle Herald|date=16 October 2014}}

=Legislative Council=

Parker was first touted as a Liberal candidate in 2000{{cite news |title=Sceptre in the house |first=Brian |last=Woodley |date=26 August 2000 |newspaper=The Australian }} However, she had to wait until 2002 to be pre-selected for the fifth position on the Liberal ticket,{{cite news | title = Gallacher tops Upper House ticket | first = Alex | last = Mitchell | date = 28 April 2002 | newspaper = The Sun-Herald }} and was the seventh person elected on the combined Liberal/National ticket.{{cite news | title = Parker stakes a claim to place in the upper house | last = Tucker | first = Scott | date = 24 March 2003 | newspaper = The Newcastle Herald }}

Parker was elected to the Legislative Council in 2003. Parker delivered her Inaugural speech on 20 May 2003.{{Cite web|title=Robyn Parker MLC Inaugural Speech|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/member/files/2219/Robyn%20Parker.pdf}} During her time in Parliament Parker chaired a number of high-profile inquiries, including the Operation and Management of the NSW Ambulance Service, the Bullying of Children and Young People, and the Building the Education Revolution. She also served as the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Aboriginal Affairs and was Chair of the NSW Opposition's Hunter Taskforce.

In 2004 she spoke on the debate of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Sexual Offences Bill in the New South Wales Parliament. She supported the introduction of closed circuit television for victims to give their evidence in court as she had been a victim when she was nineteen in New Zealand.{{cite news | title = My rape nightmare | first = Jim | last = O'Rourke | date = 27 June 2004 | newspaper = Sun-Herald | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/26/1088145023844.html | accessdate = 30 April 2011 }} In the debate she pointed out the different standards that apply to rape victims compared to other victims of crime. She said that if "an assailant held you at knifepoint, asked you for your wallet and you complied, there is no question that a crime was committed. You would not be asked if you consented. You would not be asked if you had tried to resist. Only survivors of sexual assault are asked these questions."{{cite news | title = City Rape Still Haunts Aussie MP | first = Lee | last = Matthews | date = 5 July 2004 | newspaper =Evening Standard |location=London }}

Parker delivered her Valedictory Speech on 2 December 2010.{{Cite web|title=Robyn Parker MLC Valedictory Speech|url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-42798/link/2219}}

Parker decided to seek election to the Legislative Assembly to fulfil a desire to become involved in politics at a more local level and was elected as the first female Member for Maitland in March 2011 Parker was appointed Minister for Environment and Minister for Heritage in April 2011.

=Legislative Assembly=

On 19 February 2010, Parker was pre-selected by the Liberal Party to contest the semi-marginal Lower House seat of Maitland.{{cite news | url = http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/parker-takes-up-fight/1757303.aspx | date = 22 February 2010 | title = Parker takes up fight | work = Maitland Mercury | last = Snedden | first = Briony | accessdate = 30 April 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110229/http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/parker-takes-up-fight/1757303.aspx | archive-date = 6 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }} At the 2011 election, Parker was elected with a swing of 20.3 per cent and won the seat with 56.3 per cent of the two-party vote.{{cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/mait.htm | title = Maitland | work = NSW Votes 2011 | publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | author = Green, Antony | date = 5 April 2011 | accessdate = 30 April 2011| author-link = Antony Green }} Her main competitor was the incumbent sitting member, Labor's Frank Terenzini.

In her inaugural speech to the Parliament Parker noted her aspirations as a member of the Liberal party to follow the lead of Menzies who named the party as a party of long-term vision, progressive rather than reactionary. Parker delivered her inaugural speech on 3 May 2011.

As one of the fastest growing{{cn|date=May 2025}} regional electorates in the country, infrastructure expenditure centring around roads, transport, schools and hospitals was a priority during Parker’s term.

Parker lobbied and achieved funding for a complete school rebuild for Hunter River Community School.{{Cite web|last=Norris|first=Sam|date=2014-06-12|title=Hunter River Community School opens|url=https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2348239/hunter-river-community-school-opens/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=The Maitland Mercury|language=en-AU}}

= Post Political Career =

After leaving parliament Parker resumed her career in community services. In 2015 Parker was appointed as Chief Executive Officer ageing and disability services, Delphis Australia.{{Cite web|date=2015-12-07|title=Former MP Parker to head Delphis Australia|url=https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/3544101/former-mp-parker-to-head-delphis-australia/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Maitland Mercury|language=en-AU}} Parker has been appointed as a non-executive director to a number of not-for-profit and government boards including: Taronga Conservation Society,{{Cite web|title=Our People|url=https://taronga.org.au/about/governance/our-people|access-date=2021-07-25|website=Our People {{!}} Taronga Conservation Society Australia|language=en}} NextSense (formerly Royal Institute For Deaf And Blind Children),{{Cite web|title=Our Board • NextSense|url=https://www.nextsense.org.au/about/our-people/our-board|access-date=2021-07-25|website=NextSense|language=en-AU}} Hume Community Housing,{{Cite web|title=Our Board {{!}} Hume Community Housing Association|url=https://www.humehousing.com.au/ourboard.html|access-date=2021-07-25|website=www.humehousing.com.au|language=en}} Hunter Local Land Services,{{Cite web|title=Our Board - Website - Local Land Services|url=https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/hunter/our-board|access-date=2021-07-25|website=www.lls.nsw.gov.au}} The Heritage Council of New South Wales.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-19|title=Council Members|url=https://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/heritage-council-of-nsw/members-of-the-heritage-council/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=Heritage NSW|language=en-AU}}

Personal life

Parker is married to David and has three children Dylan, Chelsea and Heath and two stepchildren Ben and Tim. Her husband stood for the seat of Newcastle in the 2003 election.{{cite news | title = Libs cop flak over choice | last = Tucker | first = Scott | date = 26 February 2003 | newspaper = The Newcastle Herald

}}

Parker told parliament in 2004 that she had been raped as a teenager and nailed her bedroom windows shut in the aftermath.{{cite news|last1=Needham|first1=Kirsty|title=Sexist slur made by Nationals MP John Williams against female cabinet minister Robyn Parker|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sexist-slur-made-by-nationals-mp-john-williams-against-female-cabinet-minister-robyn-parker-20140705-zsx1n.html|accessdate=2014-07-06|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 July 2014}} In 2009, it was revealed that her eldest son, Dylan, then aged 22, made and flew paper planes and had become one of the world's best, while simultaneously dealing with the sudden discovery of a brain tumour. His story was broadcast in an episode of the ABC TV program Australian Story.{{cite news | title = Fly With Me | author = Fanning, Mick | date = 31 August 2009 | format = transcript | work =Australian Story | url = http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2007/s2675360.htm | accessdate = 30 April 2011 | author-link = Mick Fanning }}

References