Allison Ritchie
General Manager at Hobart PCYC and Candidate for Clarence City Council in Hobart
Allison Ritchie is politician and community leader, who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those in her hometown of Hobart.
CURRENT ROLE
Allison's current role as General Manager of the Hobart Police and Community Youth Club means she is able to focus on improving the health and wellbeing of at-risk youth. The club provides low-cost, sporting, recreational, social and cultural programs in a safe environment to young people, with these programs bettering their families and the Hobart community as a whole. This role complements Allison's volunteer works as the founder and President of child protection lobby group People Protecting Children and in her role as the President of Boxing Australia (Tasmania) Inc.
POLITICAL CAREER
Allison first began her political career when she joined the Labor Party at the age of 14 years old and her experience ignited her passion for policy and advocacy, and how these two combined can offer social solutions to local people and groups. Allison continued to realise this vision in her subsequent role within the Labor Party, as Executive Assistant to the State Secretary of Tasmania. She began this role in 1996 and spent 6 years gaining a deeper understanding of the issues facing people in her state, including cost of living pressures, homelessness, access to education, child and community health and safety, infrastructure development, job creation, and support for seniors and services for people with disabilities.
Allison was able to expand on her contribution to the people of Tasmania when she was elected as the Member for Pembroke in the Legislative Council. Allison remains the youngest person ever elected to the Legislative Council and served in the following positions during her 8 year tenure:
· Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.
· Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Development.
· Member of State Government Budget Committee.
· Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations.
Additionally, whilst in office, Allison also served 3 years as a board member of Oakdale Services Tasmania, an organisation providing accommodation and services to people with disability.