Australia Donna

Carmel Zollo

Carmel Zollo was elected to the South Australian Parliament at the State election in October 1997 and has served South Australians as a Member of Parliament and a Minister since that time. She is currently serving her second term and is one of fifteen women members of the Labor Party in the South Australian Parliament.

Until March 2009 Carmel had been Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling and Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. She also previously served as Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Prior to becoming a Minister, her Parliamentary roles included Government Whip in the Legislative Council, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Trade.

Carmel is currently chairing the Statutory Authorities Review Committee

Carmel was South Australia ’s first dedicated Minister for Road Safety and oversaw the State’s lowest road fatalities in 2008. She is also the first Italian-born woman to be elected to the Legislative council as well as being South Australia ’s first Italian-born Cabinet Minister.

Carmel was born in Tufara ( Benevento ) in the Campania Region of Italy.

As a migrant herself she is particularly interested in ensuring the access and equity of all Australians and the importance of celebrating the many cultures that make up our multicultural society.

In a community like South Australia’s, where one in four people were born overseas, Carmel stresses the importance of achieving a society that is both culturally sensitive and one that empowers all people regardless of their ethnic heritage or country of birth. This would ensure the best use of our community’s talents to contribute to our development and well-being.

Carmel is a member of many community organisations. She is particularly interested in social justice, family, information technology and women’s issues. She is married with three adult children.

May 2009

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