The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP is the Member for Sydenham, the Minister for Jobs and Industry, Treaty and First People and Women

As Minister for Jobs and Industry she is part of the Allan Government economic team and is focused on growing our economy and increasing participation.

The Minister has always been a fierce advocate for gender equality, for workers’ rights and for justice for Aboriginal Victorians. 

Before entering Parliament, Natalie worked as a Union organiser, senior advisor to former Premier Steve Bracks, and chief of staff to the Minister for Education. She also ran a small business focusing on research and communications. Notably, Natalie made history as the first woman elected as assistant secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

In her previous roles she is particularly proud to have created laws to improve conditions for vulnerable workers, create a new Financial Assistance Scheme for Victims of Crime, establish Respect Victoria, and ensure women have an equal voice in everything the government does.

She has previously served as the Minister for Education, Local Government, Aboriginal Affairs, Industrial Relations, Prevention of Family Violence, Women, Corrections, Youth Justice, Crime Prevention and Victims Support.

Natalie grew up in the high-rise public housing of inner-city Melbourne before her family settled in the vibrant western suburbs, aligning her passion for the opportunities the area held. It was during her me in a public school in Melbourne's West that a teacher sparked her interest in politics, ultimately guiding her to pursue a career in Parliament.

Elected in 2010 and representing the seat of Sydenham since 2014, Natalie is committed to ensuring her electorate is fair and inclusive to reflect the active, diverse, resilient and proud community that she represents. Always prioritising her community, NMaldatalie advocates for greater investment in infrastructure upgrades, modern learning environments and the removal of level crossings.

Natalie's vision for Victoria is one of equal access to employment, education, and healthcare for all.

An outcome oriented and people centric business leader with extensive Defence Industry experience in operational strategy and enterprise program management. He holds Master’s Degrees in Business and Engineering, and is an accredited Project Management Professional. Deepak has worked with Government, Industry and Academic stakeholders leading delivery of programs in the areas of soldier systems and armoured vehicles.

Marcail Roe, Founder of STEM Returners Australia, provides actionable solutions to industry wide challenges. With bespoke returnship initiatives, she tackles gender and skills gaps head-on, fostering inclusivity and diversity. Her programs unlock talent sidelined by career breaks, rejuvenating the industry with experienced professionals. Marcail’s visionary approach propels STEM Returners Australia as a catalyst for innovation and equity in the field.

Liam has over a decade of experience in developing and facilitating international trade and investment, with a focus on digital technologies, defence and aerospace. He is currently the Associate Director of Defence and Aerospace at Swinburne University of Technology, where he leads the investment portfolio and develops commercial strategies that advance the university's research and innovation agenda while creating value for industry and government partners.

He has a unique blend of expertise and experience at the intersection of government, business, and research, which enables him to deliver tailored solutions that address specific needs and challenges. He has successfully facilitated multiple investment projects and market entry plans across Europe, USA, LATAM, UK, MENA, Japan, and Korea, leveraging his skills in market analysis, business development, R&D, government relations, and capital raising. He is a certified startup funding expert from the University of Cambridge and has a master's degree in international relations from the University of Queensland. His mission is to drive innovation and growth through fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and impact.

Nicole Sinclair is CEO of Parish Engineering and a Committee Member for the Women’s Defence Connection. A qualified Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of experience in Manufacturing and 2nd generation of a family of Engineers who have been running Parish for 45 years.

Established in 1944, Parish is an AS9100D certified firm with one of the largest CNC Mill-Turn operations in Victoria. A significant supplier of machined precision components to many industries, including Automotive, Heavy Vehicle and Defence since WW2.

20 of Ken’s previous 43 years in the manufacturing industry have been at the helm of one of Australia’s most widely recognized and highly regarded precision component manufacturers, Redline Engineering.

Prior to Redline Ken was involved in various roles within the BHP Steel Group, including; plant and process technical support, technical sales, commerce and international trading, and business unit