15 Facts About Liz Constable

Elizabeth Constable was born on 2 December 1943 and is an Australian former politician who was an independent member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, first representing the electorate Floreat after winning it at a 1991 by-election following the resignation of Andrew Mensaros.

Liz Constable retired at the 2013 election and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019.

Liz Constable was once a member of the Liberal Party before becoming an independent.

Liz Constable left the Liberal Party when it became clear that the favoured candidate of power-broker Noel Crichton-Browne would be given preselection for the safe seat of Floreat at a 1991 by-election at her expense.

Liz Constable followed most of her constituents into Churchlands in 1996, and was comfortably reelected at every election since then.

Liz Constable held the seat with a majority of 23 percent, making it the safest seat in the state.

In November 2008, Liz Constable was appointed Minister for Education, Tourism and Women's Interests in the Barnett Ministry, thereby becoming the first Independent to be appointed as a Minister of the Crown in Western Australia.

Liz Constable was removed from the tourism portfolio in December 2010, three months after she was the subject of a critical motion.

In early 2011, Liz Constable was criticised in regard to a Government policy which left children with no air-conditioning for new buildings outside the "air cooling zone" established by the state Government and so regularly subject to internal temperatures of heat above 35 degrees in more than 300 schools.

Liz Constable had said if schools arranged for independent contractors to install air-conditioning within 12 months of construction, it would void the building warranty.

On 1 March 2011 when the problem became public, Liz Constable said she would wait until a policy review was completed mid-year before deciding her position.

However, on 2 March 2011, when it became known that Liz Constable had been aware of the problem for over one year, she decided that Parents and Citizens' Association committees could install air-conditioners should they wish to purchase them themselves.

Liz Constable has long been a vocal public proponent of open, accountable government and ministerial accountability, believing they are fundamental to good government.

In particular Liz Constable has discussed in the WA Parliament the failings of ministers to abide by high standards of conduct.

In both 2003 and 2007 Liz Constable introduced to the Western Australian Parliament the Lobbying Disclosure and Accountability Bill.