Jess migrated from New Zealand with her parents and two older brothers when she was six years old. She studied Arts at Sydney University (receiving the Frank Bell Memorial Prize for Anthropology).

Jess then graduated with First Class Honours from the Queensland University of Technology and was offered a scholarship to undertake a doctorate at QUT. She wrote her thesis on the resettlement of Karen refugees in Brisbane.

Just days before graduating with her PhD, Jess married Ben and they had four children over the next five years. As a stay-at-home mum, Jessica continued publishing research papers and studied for a Masters in Global Development during the pandemic, graduating with Distinction while also serving as President of the primary school’s P&C.

Jess returned to work and became a Research Fellow on the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, contributing to Pacific policy, regional development and national security.

As your new Liberal Senator, Jess will focus on policy to strengthen Australia’s national security in the Pacific islands region and improve the lives of Australians with better policies for families.

Bachelor of Arts
Sydney University

Honours, First Class
Queensland University of Technology

Master of Global Development with Distinction
Griffith University

Doctor of Philosophy
Queensland University of Technology