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Last edited by Bearcat (talk | contribs) 9 days ago. (Update) |
Renée Coffey | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Pronunciation | /ˈrɛn.eɪ ˈkɒf.i/ |
| Born | Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse | Jason McKenzie (m. 2024) |
| Children | 2 sons, 2 step-daughters |
| Education | University of Queensland (BA, Hons I) University of South Australia (Grad Dip Ed) |
| Occupation | Non-profit executive, advocate, political candidate |
| Website | queenslandlabor |
Renée Coffey (/ˈrɛn.eɪ ˈkɒf.i/), born April 1982, is an Australian non-profit leader, mental health advocate, and political candidate known for her practical, community-driven approach. As the CEO of the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation, she delivers mental health services to young people impacted by family mental illness.
In August 2024, she was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the Australian Labor Party candidate for the federal electorate of Griffith, Queensland, aiming to reclaim Kevin Rudd's former seat.
Coffey is recognised for her results-driven leadership style, having expanded programs for Indigenous education and mental health services throughout her career.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Renée Coffey was born at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane in April 1982. She spent her childhood in the Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne. Coffey has been committed to social justice from a young age, establishing "Young Australians for Anti-Racism and Reconciliation" while still in high school.
Advocacy
[edit]Non-profit leadership and community impact
Coffey has over 15 years of experience leading non-profit organisations. For over a decade, she served as the Deputy CEO of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF), where she expanded access to educational scholarships for Indigenous students across Australia. Her work has supported thousands of young people to achieve their educational goals.[2]
In 2023, Coffey took on the role of CEO at the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation, where she has since led initiatives aimed at improving the mental health of young people impacted by family mental illness. Under her leadership, the foundation launched the Regenerate program, a nature-based initiative that combines environmental education with mental health literacy.[3]
Advocacy for multiple sclerosis
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2011, Coffey has used her personal experience to become an ambassador for the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign. Her advocacy has focused on raising awareness about MS and supporting research for a cure. Coffey continues to lead an active professional life and actively advocates the benefits of Prof George Jelinek's Overcoming MS (OMS) diet.[4]
Ending pay secrecy
Renée Coffey has actively supported various policy initiatives. She has championed the need to end pay secrecy in Australia, advocating for pay transparency as a way to achieve gender equality. This work was recognised in Graham Perrett MP’s speech to Parliament, where he quoted Coffey's speech from the 2022 ALP (Queensland) state conference.[5]
Paid practicum (prac) for students
Coffey has also been a vocal advocate for ensuring that student nurses, teachers, social workers, and midwives receive paid practicums (prac), a policy aimed at reducing financial barriers for students entering these vital professions. Legislation for paid prac has now been passed in Queensland and Federally.
[6]
[7]
Federal politics
[edit]In 2024, Coffey was selected as the Australian Labor Party candidate for the federal electorate of Griffith. Her campaign focuses on reclaiming Kevin Rudd’s former seat by delivering practical policies on cost of living, food security, climate change and housing.
Awards and recognition
[edit]Coffey has been recognised for her leadership and advocacy work, including:
- Queensland Finalist in the Young Australian of the Year Awards (2000)
- Australian Centenary Medal (2003)
- Pride of Australia Medal (2015) for her contributions to advocacy and community work.
Personal life
[edit]In June 2024, Renée Coffey married her long-time partner, Jason McKenzie. She has two sons and two grown step-daughters.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Renée Coffey". ALP. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Introducing our new CEO – Kookaburra Kids". Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Regenerate program – Bupa Foundation partnership". Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Freeman, Jessica (23 May 2014). ""Kiss Goodbye to MS: Renee Coffey raises awareness"". Mamamia.
- ^ Perrett, Graham (18 August 2022). "Federal Government update". Hansard. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Bennett, Kate (10 September 2024). "'Extra help': Uni prac students to benefit from $319 weekly payment". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Jones, Samantha (7 September 2024). "Paid teaching placement incentives offered to students in final stages of tertiary study". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ King, Emily (2 September 2015). "Pride of Australia Medal – 2015". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ Elks, Sarah (14 June 2024). "Peter Dutton's failed Gerard Rennick intervention". The Australian.