1. Anne Katherine Carnell is an Australian businesswoman and former Liberal Party politician, who served as the third Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory from 1995 to 2000.
19 Facts About Kate Carnell
1. 2.
Kate Carnell was born on 30 May 1955, in Brisbane, Queensland.
3.
Kate Carnell married Ian Carnell in July 1977 and together they moved to Canberra, arriving August 1977.
4.
Kate Carnell bought her own pharmacy business in Red Hill in 1981.
5.
Kate Carnell was the inaugural chairman of the ACT Branch of the Australian Pharmacy Guild, serving in the position between 1988 and 1994, and National Vice-President of the guild between 1990 and 1994.
6.
Kate Carnell is currently active as the inaugural SPA Council Chair as of January, 2025.
7.
Kate Carnell joined the Liberal Party in 1991 and was elected to the second ACT Legislative Assembly in 1992.
8.
Kate Carnell became the Leader of the Opposition in 1993, succeeding Trevor Kaine.
9.
Kate Carnell has held the portfolios of Minister for Health and Community Care, Minister Responsible for Multicultural and International Affairs, Minister for Business and Employment and Minister for Business, Tourism and the Arts.
10.
The Kate Carnell Government was severely criticised following the death of twelve-year-old Katie Bender, when the de-commissioned Royal Canberra Hospital was imploded on 13 July 1997 to make way for the National Museum of Australia.
11.
In October 2000, Kate Carnell resigned, pre-empting a no-confidence motion in relation to cost over-runs in the Bruce Stadium redevelopment project.
12.
Kate Carnell had denied any wrong-doing and claimed that the Auditor-General had found that the cabinet was acting reasonably in the matter as she was determined to remain in office.
13.
Kate Carnell resigned as Chief Minister on 17 October 2000, before the no-confidence motion was moved against her.
14.
Kate Carnell was replaced as Chief Minister by Gary Humphries.
15.
Kate Carnell told reporters that interpretation of ministerial responsibility in the Legislative Assembly had become "really different" in the time since, comparing her downfall in 2000, to current events in 2012, surrounding former Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, who was cleared of ministerial responsibility for data-tampering in her health portfolio.
16.
Kate Carnell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list of 2006, for her services and contributions to the Australian Capital Territory.
17.
Kate Carnell has been appointed as the inaugural SPA Council Chair as of January, 2025.
18.
Kate Carnell has been interim chair of Beyond Blue since April 2024.
19.
Kate Carnell has been a member of their board since 2008.