About Me
Hi, I'm Tania Maxwell. A survivor of childhood trauma, a mother and a former Member of Parliament.
Welcome to: My journey navigating a challenging life
My life has been challenging, traumatising, emotional, exciting and, at times, completely unbelievable.
My journey includes child abuse, homelessness, family violence, working on the mines in Western Australia, working as a nanny for a wealthy family, and having my own importing business to name a few.
I Co-Founded a campaign against violence in Wangaratta in 2016. Through #ENOUGHISENOUGH we advocated for victims of crime and became a voice for those who no longer had a voice.
I met with Government Ministers and members of Parliament to lobby for change to laws that would improve community safety and protect victims of crime and their families. From this, I was elected as a member of the Victorian State Parliament in 2018. I continue to be an advocate for child safety, victims of crime and for increased mental health support.
After 60 years, I feel ready to let others into my private world and to tell my story in the hope that it will help others survive, recover, gain empowerment and learn how to become a leader
My presentation offers insights into the impacts of emotional turmoil, and how to focus on positivity and resilience, no matter the situation that presents itself.
I speak from the heart, and connect with my audience, so they take away skills that can be life-changing.
Hi, I'm Tania Maxwell. A survivor of childhood trauma, a mother and a former Member of Parliament.
Welcome to: My journey navigating a challenging life
My life has been challenging, traumatising, emotional, exciting and, at times, completely unbelievable.
My journey includes child abuse, homelessness, family violence, working on the mines in Western Australia, working as a nanny for a wealthy family, and having my own importing business to name a few.
I Co-Founded a campaign against violence in Wangaratta in 2016. Through #ENOUGHISENOUGH we advocated for victims of crime and became a voice for those who no longer had a voice.
I met with Government Ministers and members of Parliament to lobby for change to laws that would improve community safety and protect victims of crime and their families. From this, I was elected as a member of the Victorian State Parliament in 2018. I continue to be an advocate for child safety, victims of crime and for increased mental health support.
After 60 years, I feel ready to let others into my private world and to tell my story in the hope that it will help others survive, recover, gain empowerment and learn how to become a leader
My presentation offers insights into the impacts of emotional turmoil, and how to focus on positivity and resilience, no matter the situation that presents itself.
I speak from the heart, and connect with my audience, so they take away skills that can be life-changing.
My time in Parliament
I was elected to the Legislative Council of Victoria in November 2018
In those four years in Parliament, I spoke on Bills, put forward motions, raised questions in the Committee stage of most Bills. I was on the Legal and Social Issues Committee and spoke on behalf of constituents every sitting week. I tabled Private Members Bills and advocated for victims of crime at every opportunity.
Today I am still a strong advocate for victims, whilst also working to have legislative changes for female specific cancers to be included in presumptive rights legislation which currently only accommodates male firefighters.
I fought for victims' rights and achieved outcomes including:
- Working with the family of a murder victim to secure government agreement for an urgent, major review of Victoria’s stalking laws, the use and enforcement of intervention orders.
- Advocated to the Treasurer and Child Protection Minister for what became a $335 million Budget commitment for new early intervention and primary prevention measures to improve vulnerable families’ wellbeing aimed to keep children out of Victoria’s child protection and justice systems
- Moved successfully to change the law and extend protections for people harmed by crime so they no longer face their offenders at Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal hearings.
- Strongly advocated for Coercive Control laws and met with Sue and Lloyd Clarke in QLD
The work I began in Parliament still goes on, even though I am sadly no longer a Member of the Legislative Council.
To see my speeches in Parliament click HERE
