Sheena Watt facts for kids

Sheena Watt is an Australian politician. She is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council. This is like a state parliament in Victoria, Australia. She has represented the Northern Metropolitan Region since October 13, 2020.

Sheena Watt is a Yorta Yorta woman. This means she is from one of Australia's many Indigenous groups. She is the first Indigenous Australian woman to join the Parliament of Victoria for the Labor Party. This was a big step for Indigenous representation.

She has held important roles in the government. From June 2022, she was the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing. This means she helped with housing plans. From December 2022, she also helped with volunteers.

In 2023, there was a big vote called a referendum. This vote was about changing the Australian Constitution. It was to formally recognize Indigenous peoples. Sheena Watt worked very hard to support a "Yes" vote. She has always fought for Indigenous rights.

Currently, Sheena Watt helps with climate action. She became the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action in October 2023. Since May 2024, she also helps with emergency services. She is part of a group called the Labor Left within her party.

What is a Member of Parliament?

A Member of Parliament (MP) is a person chosen by voters. They represent a certain area or region. Their job is to speak for the people in that area. They help make laws and decisions for the state or country.

The Victorian Legislative Council

The Victorian Legislative Council is part of Victoria's parliament. It's like one of two main groups that make laws. Members here are called MLCs. Sheena Watt is an MLC for the Northern Metropolitan Region.

Supporting Indigenous Rights

Sheena Watt has spent much of her career working for Indigenous rights. This means she wants to make sure Indigenous Australians are treated fairly. She also wants their history and culture to be recognized.

The 2023 Referendum

The 2023 referendum was a national vote. It asked Australians if they agreed to change the Constitution. The change would have created an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This Voice would advise the government on laws and policies for Indigenous people. Sheena Watt strongly supported this change.

Her Current Roles

Sheena Watt has two important jobs right now.

• Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action: In this role, she helps the government work on climate change. This includes finding ways to protect the environment.
• Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services: Here, she helps with plans for emergencies. This could be things like bushfires or floods.