About
Journalist, small business woman and policy officer in the community sector, Lynn MacLaren is now member for South Metropolitan Region. Lynn is an advocate for better urban design, has long opposed the live animal export trade and is working with farmers and consumers to keep Western Australia free from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). She has several years experience as an electorate and research officer.
Lynn used her experience working in a California daily newspaper in journalism and photojournalism to establish a small business in WA as a desktop publisher and technical writer. She was a Senior Policy Officer with the Western Australian Council of Social Service and worked as a trainer/consultant in strategic planning and capacity building in the community sector. Lynn has also undertaken project work with a variety of organisations, including the Environmental Defender's Office, the Community Housing Coalition of WA, the Education Department and the Water Authority. In the mid 1990s Lynn was prominent in the campaign to put live animal exports on the public agenda and was the foundation President of the People Against Cruelty in Animal Transport (Inc) serving also on the executive board of Animals Australia.
Lynn was elected to the Legislative Council on 6 September 2008 for the term beginning on 22 May 2009. She previously held the seat from February to May 2005 upon the retirement of Jim Scott, MLC. In parliament Lynn has advocated for better urban planning, more affordable housing options and continued to oppose the live animal trade. Lynn highlighted that in its first voyage to Egypt from Fremantle in mid-2009, 266 cattle and 320 sheep died on the world's newest multi-million dollar livestock ship. "A local halal-accredited chilled meat trade would eliminate this cruelty and create local jobs - New Zealand did it and so can we." Lynn has campaigned for many years to keep Western Australia free from genetically modified organisms in our ecosystems and food supply. Alongside her federal counterparts Lynn has lobbied for truth in labelling to facilitate choice, not only for health reasons but also to reveal farming practices and the presence of genetically modified ingredients.
Lynn's portfolios are Animals; Commerce and Small Business; Culture & the Arts; Food; GMOs; Heritage; Housing; Planning; Science & Innovation; Seniors; Sexuality; Social Inclusion/Poverty; Tourism; and Transport.
