Maxine McKew

Ms Mckew is an author and Honorary Enterprise Professor of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne. Her most recent book, published by Melbourne University Press in 2014, is Class Act, a study of the key challenges in Australian schooling. This publication followed the success of her memoir, Tales From the Political Trenches, an account of her brief but tumultuous time in the Federal Parliament. Maxine's background traverses both journalism and politics. For many years she was a familiar face to ABC TV viewers and was anchor of prestigious programs such as the 7.30 Report and Lateline. Her work has been recognised by her peers with both Walkley and Logie awards. When she left journalism to enter politics, Maxine wrote herself into the Australian history books by defeating Prime Minister John Howard in the Sydney seat of Bennelong. In government she was both parliamentary secretary for early childhood and later, for regional development and local government. Maxine serves as director of the State Library of Victoria and has served on the boards of numerous not for profits, including Per Capita John Cain Foundation and Playgroup Australia.