Meg Lees | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Australian Progressive Alliance | |
| In office 3 April 2003 – 30 June 2005 | |
| Deputy | Reese Malcolm |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Party abolished |
| 6th Leader of the Australian Democrats | |
| In office 15 October 1997 – 6 April 2001 | |
| Deputy | Natasha Stott Despoja |
| Preceded by | Cheryl Kernot |
| Succeeded by | Natasha Stott Despoja |
| 5th Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats | |
| In office 2 October 1991 – 15 October 1997 | |
| Leader | John Coulter Cheryl Kernot |
| Preceded by | John Coulter |
| Succeeded by | Natasha Stott Despoja |
| Senator for South Australia | |
| In office 4 April 1990 – 30 June 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Janine Haines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Meg Heather Francis 19 October 1948 Mount Riverview, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Progressive Alliance (after 2003) |
| Other political affiliations | Democrat (until 2002) Independent (2002–2003) |
| Spouse |
Keith Lees
(m. 1971; div. 1996) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Strathfield Girls High School |
| Alma mater | Sydney Teachers' College University of Sydney University of Adelaide |
| Occupation | School teacher (Ingleburn High School) (Mount Gambier High School) (Department of Education) |
| Profession | Academic Politician |
Meg Heather Lees AO (née Francis, born 19 October 1948) is a former member of the Australian Senate from 1990 to 2005, representing the state of South Australia. She represented the Australian Democrats from 1990 to 2002, and was her party's leader from 1997 to 2001. After being deposed by Natasha Stott Despoja, she quit the party to sit as an independent senator in 2002, adopting the party designation Australian Progressive Alliance from 2003 until her electoral defeat in 2005. As party leader, she controversially facilitated passage of the Howard government's Goods and Services Tax (GST).