Monica Gould

Who is Monica Gould?

Monica Mary Gould is a former Australian politician. She was an Australian Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council between September 1993 and November 2006, representing Doutta Galla Province.

Gould was born in Melbourne, and finished her secondary studies at a technical college in the suburb of Macleod. She became involved in the Manufacturing Grocers Association trade union, which later merged with the National Union of Workers. In 1980, she became its General Vice-President - a position which she held until her election to parliament. She was also a member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions executive between 1991 and 1993.

In 1993, Gould decided to make a move into politics, and succeeded in securing Labor pre-selection for a by-election in the seat of Doutta Galla Province. In her first term, which was only three years, because of the circumstances of her election, she was a member of the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee. She was re-elected in 1996, and was subsequently appointed Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Aged Care. Gould also became a member of both the Law Reform and Legislative Council Privileges Committees.