Tasmanian Labor MHA for Frankilin. Labor Party website before the March 2006 election contained the following biographical notes:
Paula grew up on Hobart’s eastern shore where she attended Howrah Primary, Clarence High and Rosny College.
After leaving school in 1985 Paula worked as a legal secretary but in 1989 her interest in politics really began when she worked as a research officer for the Field Labor Government.
In 1993, as a mature age student, she began a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Tasmania.
Paula was elected to the House of Assembly in February 1996.
She has followed in the footsteps of her father, Ken Wriedt, a former Labor Senator, Minister in the Whitlam Government, State Minister and State Labor Leader.
Paula married Dale Rahmanovic in 1998 and in April 2000 created history by becoming the first female Tasmanian MP to have a child while in office with the birth of her son, Daniel. In October 2001 Paula gave birth to her second child, a daughter, Amy.
While her family stays largely out of the public spotlight, Daniel and Amy can occasionally be seen accompanying their very proud mother to official functions.
In 1998 Paula became Tasmania’s youngest ever female member of Cabinet when she was appointed as Minister for Education. After her re-election in 2002, she also gained responsibility for Women Tasmania. Issues which fall within these portfolios include schools, training, libraries, archives, youth, childcare and promoting the rights and position of women in society.
In addition Paula was recently appointed as Minister for Tourism in April 2005. She has welcomed her new responsibilities which has a specific focus on the growing visitation to our State and ensuring Tasmania does all it can to position itself as a premium visitor destination.
In December 2000 Paula launched Learning Together, the Government‘s vision for education, training and the information systems into the 21st century. This has provided a coherent platform from which to drive one of the most ambitious system wide educational change agendas ever seen in Australia.
Paula is enjoying the challenges of Government and has a proven record in public service. Under her stewardship the Tasmanian Education system is striving towards the goal of becoming a world class system.
Paula is using this same enthusiasm and drive to ensure that the Tourism industry in Tasmania continues to strive to achieve the goals articulated in the joint industry/government partnership, Tourism21.
As a mother of two young children, Paula understands the many issues that affect families like access to quality childcare. She is pleased to have had the opportunity to represent Tasmanians for the past 10 years as a local member and Minister for Tourism, Education and Women.
Franklin covers an area of approximately 7933 sq km from Bridgewater in the north to Port Davey in the south and Seven Mile Beach in the east. The City of Clarence is in the division of Franklin. Other major towns include Blackmans Bay, Bridgewater, Cygnet, Dover, Franklin, Geeveston, Huonville, Kingston, Margate and Snug as well as Bruny Island.
Products and industries of the area cover apples, pears, small fruits, fishing, beef cattle, sheep, forestry, cottage industry and tourism.
