Kylea Tink
MP
Member of the Australian Parliament for North Sydney
Assumed office
21 May 2022
Preceded byTrent Zimmerman
Personal details
Born (1970-09-05) 5 September 1970 (age 53)
Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia
Political partyIndependent
WebsiteOfficial website

Kylea Jane Tink (pron. /ˈkaɪli/, "Kylie";[1] born 5 September 1970) is an Australian politician. Before entering politics, she had a career in communications and campaigning. She is a former managing director of Edelman Australia, chief executive of the McGrath Foundation and Chief Executive of Camp Quality. Tink was elected to the seat of North Sydney at the 2022 federal election. She has been described as a teal independent.

Early life and education

Kylea Jane Tink was born on 5 September 1970,[2] in the country New South Wales town of Coonabarabran.[3][4]

She was educated at Coonabarabran High School, and went on to study at Australian National University.[5]

Business career

Tink is a former managing director of Edelman Australia,[6] the largest public relations firm in the world by revenue.[7]

She worked pro bono as a PR consultant for the McGrath Foundation, after being invited to assist the growing organisation following the death of Jane McGrath.[8] In 2008 she took up the role of CEO of the foundation, a role she held from until 2014.[9] Tink was one of the people who helped bring about the Pink Test, a cricketing fundraiser that raises awareness and money for the foundation, including significant grants from the government.[10][11][12] They also managed to gain partnerships beyond cricket, including a partnership with St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2013.[13] During her time as CEO the number of breast care nurses in Australia went up from four in 2008 to over 61 in 2011,[14] and over 100 by the time she left the charity in 2014.[8]

Tink was appointed CEO of Camp Quality in 2016, starting in the role in 2017.[9] Under her leadership, the charity saw changes in their structure, including starting a Kids Impacted by a Carers Cancer (KICC) Camp, for children of parents diagnosed with cancer.[15]

Political career

In September 2021, Tink announced her candidacy to run for the seat of North Sydney at the 2022 election.[16] Tink won the seat in May 2022, beating the incumbent, Trent Zimmerman, 53–47 percent after preferences.[citation needed]

Along with other independent politicians who won seats in the election, Tink was described as a teal independent.[5][17][18][19] However, her colour of choice for campaigning is pink.[20]

The main focus of Tink's campaign was climate policy and equality in society.[21] On 30 August 2022, it was publicly revealed by the media that she was a shareholder of two energy companies. Viva Energy Group, which among other things refines oil for Shell in Australia and owns Geelong Oil Refinery, and Beach Energy, an oil and gas exploration and production firm. This was brought to light after Tink published her declaration of interests, a requirement of all MPs.[22] Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticised Tink's ownership of shares in energy companies, given her advocacy on climate change.[23]

In November 2022, Tink tabled her first private members bill advocating for cleaner, cheaper fuel,[24] the Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022.[25]

Tink supports a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament and the "Yes" vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.[26][27]

Personal life

Tink lives in Northbridge on the North Shore of Sydney and is a mother of three.[3][28]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tink, Kylea. "ABOUT KYLEA TINK". Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Ms Kylea Tink MP". Parliament of Australia.
  3. ^ a b "FAQs". Kylea Tink Independent Limited. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  4. ^ Maley, Jacqueline (18 September 2021). "Meet the Liberal Party's latest problem: a climate-driven independent". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. ^ a b Tom McIlroy (13 January 2023). "This high-profile teal MP wanted to be Doris Day". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ^ Patrick, Aaron (20 February 2022). "Independent amasses $684,000 for tilt at Zimmerman's Liberal seat". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Top 10". PRovoke Media. 16 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b "A Fond Farewell From Kylea Tink". McGrath Foundation. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b Blacher, Gali (7 December 2016). "CEO of Camp Quality steps down". Third Sector. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Providing Cancer Support With a Smile". Pro Bono Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Standing for change with Kylea Tink". Wabi Sabi Series. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Govt gives $18.5m to McGrath Foundation". news. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  13. ^ "St George Illawarra Dragons". Jubilee Avenue. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  14. ^ "KFC's Pink Bucket campaign raises over $315k for McGrath Foundation". QSR Media Australia. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Ground-breaking camps for kids whose parent has cancer". The National Tribune (Australia). 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  16. ^ Davies, Anne (23 September 2021). "Paul Fletcher likely to face independent challenge in blue-ribbon seat of Bradfield". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  17. ^ Catie McLeod (22 July 2022). "Independent MP Kylea Tink's surprise in first speech to parliament". news.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  18. ^ Michael Koziol (16 September 2022). "Teal independent MP Kylea Tink sells fossil fuel and motorway shares". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  19. ^ Gabrielle Chan (23 February 2023). "Teal independents join farmers in Liverpool Plains to oppose Santos gas development". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  20. ^ Sam Hawley and Stephen Smiley (21 May 2022). "Who are the 'teal independents'? Your questions answered about the candidates fighting for some of Australia's wealthiest electorates". ABC News Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  21. ^ McIlroy, Tom (15 November 2021). "Independents vow to tap climate angst to destablise sitting Liberal MPs including Angus Taylor, Trent Zimmerman and Dave Sharma". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  22. ^ "Register of Members' Interests – 47th Parliament". Parliament of Australia. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  23. ^ Tyrone Clarke (31 August 2022). "Peter Dutton calls out teal independent MP Kylea Tink over 'hypocritical' investments in fossil fuel companies". Sky News Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Week 30: My plan for cleaner, cheaper transport". Kylea Tink Independent Limited. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022". Parliament of Australia. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  26. ^ Iveson, Sarah (20 January 2023). "Teal backs voice, even if it fails referendum". The Australian. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Every party's stance on the Voice to Parliament - and those who have split on the issue". 6 News Australia. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Meet Kylea". Kylea Tink Independent Limited. Retrieved 23 February 2022.

External links

Parliament of Australia Preceded byTrent Zimmerman Member for North Sydney 2022–present Incumbent
Crossbench members of the Australian House of Representatives
Current members of the Australian House of Representatives from New South Wales
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