Election 2007
Australian Democrats WA Division

Erica Lewin PhD
Lead Senate Candidate

Erica will bring a unique perspective and experience to the Senate, having served in over a dozen voluntary roles as well as working in Government, non-Government and community sectors, in the areas of:

• education
• community development
• health, and
• gender and Indigenous policy development.

Having lived and worked in India, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Albany, Collie and Sydney, Erica understands the diverse needs of the people living in Western Australia.

She has the life and work experience to meet the challenges and demands of the Senate role and to effectively serve the people of this State.

Professional Career
For the past 4 years Erica has worked in Senior Policy and Community Engagement positions with the State Government. She has supported a wide range of groups in the community and participated in policy development relating to gender issues and Aboriginal justice issues.

When living in Collie, Erica worked for Edith Cowan University, providing an educational service to Indigenous people. She co-ordinated the Aboriginal University Orientation Course which enabled Indigenous people to develop their knowledge of a range of subjects and assisted their progress in the education system.

Erica has taught in the University sector and in addition worked with the Post Graduate Student Association at the University of Western Sydney. She has also contributed to the non-Government sector in roles of coordinating a Family Centre in a regional area, and in the field of injury prevention.

Volunteer Roles
Erica has a keen interest in migrant and anti-racism issues. As a volunteer with the Ethnic Communities Council Women’s Sub-Committee she was privileged to work with many other women in supporting migrant and refugee women, advocating for their well being and influencing government policy. Erica also took on a role as a voluntary Tutor with Home Tutor Scheme/Adult Migrant Education Service.

Erica is a life member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association, after training and serving the Association as a Breastfeeding Counsellor and Group Leader for fifteen years.
Erica has served on the Boards of Management of:

• Centre for Research for Women
  Collie Family Centre
  Domestic Violence Council of WA (now known as the Women’s Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services WA), and
• Coalition for Gun Control WA.
• She is currently a member of the Board of Starick Services Inc., which provides accommodation for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.
• Erica also supports a number of other organisations that advocate and work for diversity and human rights.

Personal
Born in India, Erica Lewin is of Anglo-Indian background. She immigrated to Australia from India in 1967, as a young teenager, with her parents and six siblings. She is married and is the mother of three young adults.

Erica was awarded her PhD. from Edith Cowan University in 2003. The title of her thesis is ‘Anglo-Indian Women in Western Australia: Past, Present, and Future Identities’ . Erica has published academic articles related to this study.

Erica has been a member of the Australian Democrats for 5 years. She has served as Secretary (WA), Co-convenor South Branch (WA), Deputy President (WA) and is currently Acting President (WA).

She believes strongly in the principles of the Australian Democrats and is determined to uphold the reputation of the Australian Democrats in the Senate and its demonstrated ability to influence the direction of Australian politics.

She will use her position as a Senator to progress the Australian Democrats’ policies on education and health matters, gender issues and Indigenous issues, whilst maintaining the strong advocacy role that the Party has established over many years.

The Senate Team
Erica Lewin, Rob Olver, Don Hoddy