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Natasha Stott Despoja

Natasha Stott Despoja
AM
Natasha Stott Despoja Portrait 2012.jpg
Ambassador of Australia for Women and Girls
Assumed office
16 December 2013
Preceded by Penny Williams
Leader of the Australian Democrats
In office
6 April 2001 – 21 August 2002
Preceded by Meg Lees
Succeeded by Brian Greig (interim)
Senator for South Australia
In office
29 November 1995 – 30 June 2008
Preceded by John Coulter
Personal details
Born (1969-09-09) 9 September 1969 (age 47)
Adelaide, South Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Australian Democrats
Spouse(s) Ian Smith
Children Conrad and Cordelia

Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AM (born 9 September 1969) is Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls. A former politician and former leader of the Australian Democrats, she was a Democrats senator for South Australia from 1995 to 2008. Stott Despoja was appointed to the Senate at the age of 26, and until Sarah Hanson-Young was elected in 2007, was previously the youngest woman to sit in the Parliament of Australia.

Stott Despoja was born in Adelaide, the daughter of Shirley Stott Despoja, an Australian-born journalist with English heritage, and Mario Despoja, an immigrant from Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia). She was educated at Stradbroke Primary and Pembroke School and, later, the University of Adelaide where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. She was active in student politics, becoming president of the Students' Association of the University of Adelaide (SAUA) and serving as state women's officer for the National Union of Students in South Australia. She then worked as a political adviser and researcher to Democrat senators John Coulter (SA) and Cheryl Kernot (Qld).


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