29 Facts About Michelle Roberts

Michelle Hopkins Roberts is an Australian politician who served as Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 2021 to 2025.

Michelle Roberts was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2025.

Michelle Roberts served as a minister in the governments of Geoff Gallop and Alan Carpenter between 2001 and 2008.

In November 2015, Roberts became the longest-serving female parliamentarian in Western Australia's history, breaking the record set by Liz Constable.

Michelle Roberts was a high school teacher, civil servant and local government councillor before entering politics.

Michelle Roberts was born in Perth, Western Australia, to Frances and William Thomas.

Michelle Roberts completed her secondary education at Mercedes College and then went on to the University of Western Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree followed by a diploma in education.

Michelle Roberts taught at John Curtin Senior High School from 1983 until 1987.

Michelle Roberts left teaching in 1987 to work for the Department of Parliamentary Services, where she stayed until 1989.

Michelle Roberts then spent periods as a policy officer for the Departments of Local Government and Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, as well as serving as a board member of the East Perth Redevelopment Authority from 1991 to 1993.

Michelle Roberts joined the Labor Party in 1978, and has served as a party official at both state and federal level.

Michelle Roberts was elected to the Perth City Council in 1986 and served as a councillor until 1993, including as deputy lord mayor to Reg Withers from 1992.

Michelle Roberts first ran for parliament at the 1993 state election, standing unsuccessfully for the Legislative Council in fourth place on Labor's ticket in the East Metropolitan Region.

Michelle Roberts entered the Legislative Assembly the following year, winning the 1994 Glendalough by-election.

Michelle Roberts was included in the shadow ministry of Ian Taylor a few months after her election, and remained a shadow minister under Jim McGinty and Geoff Gallop.

Michelle Roberts transferred to the seat of Midland at the 1996 state election, following the elimination of Glendalough in a redistribution.

Michelle Roberts lost the local government portfolio to Tom Stephens in a reshuffle in July 2001, at which point her other two portfolios were merged.

In June 2003, Michelle Roberts was made Minister for Justice and Minister for Community Safety.

Michelle Roberts lost the justice portfolio to John D'Orazio in a reshuffle after the 2005 state election.

When Geoff Gallop resigned as premier and leader of the Labor Party in January 2006, Michelle Roberts was one of three candidates to replace him, along with Alan Carpenter and Jim McGinty.

Michelle Roberts was additionally made Minister for Indigenous Affairs in December 2006, although she lost the consumer protection portfolio.

In March 2007, Michelle Roberts was made Minister for Employment Protection, serving in that role until being replaced by Jon Ford in February 2008.

Michelle Roberts held her remaining portfolios until Labor's defeat at the 2008 state election.

Michelle Roberts was initially given the education portfolio, but in February 2011 was promoted to shadow treasurer, replacing Ben Wyatt.

When Mark McGowan succeeded Ripper as leader in January 2012, Wyatt returned as shadow treasurer and Michelle Roberts was instead made shadow police minister.

Michelle Roberts came close to losing her seat at the 2013 state election, eventually winning Midland by just 24 votes on the two-party-preferred count.

Michelle Roberts herself saw off her 2013 opponent, Daniel Parasiliti, with somewhat less difficulty, picking up a swing of over 12 percent to turn Midland into a safe Labor seat at one stroke.

Michelle Roberts was appointed as Minister for Police and Minister for Road Safety in McGowan's government.

Michelle Roberts stood down at the 2025 Western Australian state election.