12 Facts About Lin Thorp

Lin Estelle Thorp was born on 4 November 1953 and is a former Australian politician.

Lin Thorp was a Labor Party member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council from 1999 until 2011, representing the electorate of Rumney, and serving as Minister for Human Services and Minister for Education and Skills, Minister for Children, and Minister for Police and Emergency Management in the Bartlett and Giddings governments.

Lin Thorp was defeated for re-election to her state seat by independent Tony Mulder at the 2011 periodic elections, but was nominated to a casual vacancy for the Australian Senate in June 2012 caused by the resignation of Nick Sherry.

Lin Thorp was defeated from the third position on the Tasmanian Labor Senate ticket at the 2013 federal election, and her term ended on 30 June 2014.

Lin Thorp studied education at the University of Tasmania and Tasmanian College of Advanced Education, and subsequently taught at Taroona High School and Hobart College.

Lin Thorp spoke out against the Howard federal government's sale of Telstra.

In 2005, Lin Thorp quoted, in tears, lyrics from John Lennon's song "Imagine", when the government introduced new anti-terrorism laws.

Lin Thorp became Minister for Human Services on 17 September 2008.

Lin Thorp was defeated by Tony Mulder at the elections held on 7 May 2011.

Lin Thorp won 89 per cent of the preselection vote to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of stalwart Nick Sherry.

Lin Thorp was appointed to the Senate by a joint sitting of the Tasmanian Parliament on 20 June 2012, and sworn in on 21 June.

Lin Thorp was unsuccessful at the Senate election on 7 September 2013 and her term ended on 30 June 2014.