Senator Trish Crossin has represented the Northern Territory in the Senate since 1998 and is the first woman elected to Federal Parliament from the NT.
She taught at NT Government schools in Yirrkala, Nhulunbuy and Darwin between 1981 and 1989, and has previously taught in the Catholic Education system in Victoria. She has a Diploma in Teaching and a Bachelor of Education from Deakin University.
Prior to entering the Senate, Trish worked as an Industrial Officer in Darwin with the National Tertiary Education Union and the Australian Education Union. She has also worked as the Migrant Workers Development Officer for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.
Trish has a long involvement with the Australian Labor Party, and has been an active financial member since the early 1980's. She has been Vice President of the NT Branch, and National Conference Delegate. In early 2008, Trish became President of the NT Branch.
Currently, Trish sits on a range of committees. She is the Chair of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee, and a member of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee.
Playing an active role in the community, Trish is involved in various organisations and groups. She is currently on the committee of the Asthma Foundation of the Northern Territory, Patron of the NT Netball Association, and a life member of the Working Women's Centre.
She is a founding member of Emily's List Australia, an organisation that encourages and supports women to enter politics, and a member of the Australian Republican Movement.