Legality of Cannabis by U.S. Jurisdiction

Giulia Jones
Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
for Murrumbidgee
In office
20 October 2012 – 2 June 2022
Serving with Davidson, Steel, Hanson, Paterson
Succeeded byEd Cocks
Personal details
Born1980 (age 43–44)
Hobart, Tasmania
NationalityAustralian
Political partyLiberal Party
SpouseBernard Jones
ChildrenSix
Alma materUniversity of Tasmania
OccupationPolitician
CabinetDeputy Leader of the Opposition
PortfolioShadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Well-being and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Websitehttp://www.giuliajones.com.au

Giulia Jones (born 1980) is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly representing the electorates of Molonglo and then Murrumbidgee for the Liberal Party from 2012 until her resignation in 2022.[1][2] Jones was the deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the ACT from October 2020 to January 2022.[3][4]

Background[edit]

Jones was born in Hobart, Tasmania to a mother of Italian descent[1] and from a Catholic family.[5] Jones often notes that her first name Giulia is spelt with a "G".[6] Jones studied political science and history and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania. She married army officer Major Bernard Jones, and moved to Canberra in late 2005 after twelve months in Darwin. She ran a small business, worked in the public service, and as a political staffer for Sophie Mirabella and Tony Abbott.[5][1] Jones is a mother of six children.[7]

Prior to her election to the ACT Legislative Assembly, she had sought election on three occasions: pre-selection for a Tasmanian Senate seat in 2007; was a Liberal candidate for a Molonglo at the 2008 election; and at the 2010 federal election for the federal seat of Canberra.[8] Following a 2018 reshuffling of the Liberal Party in the ACT's leadership, Jones was the Liberal spokeswoman for police and emergency services, corrections and women.[9]

Career[edit]

Jones began her political career on the left of politics as a union organiser in Tasmania.[10] This has led ACT Labor MLA, Chris Steel, to remark that "in another time or state, she could have found a home in Labor".[11] In a speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2017, Jones stated that she 'understands the value of unions'.[12]

Jones was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2012 representing the electorate of Molonglo.[13] Since November 2012 she has held a large number of shadow ministries and severed on several committees.[14] With the redistribution of the ACT assembly seats she moved to the Murrumbidgee electorate.

On 24 May 2022, Jones announced she would resign from the Legislative Assembly in the next week. She formally resigned to the Speaker on 2 June, and Ed Cocks was elected in a countback on 20 June.[15][16] Shortly after her resignation, Painaustralia announced that Jones had been appointed as their CEO.[17]

On 8 April 2024, Jones publicly announced her preselection nomination to run on the Liberal Party's Senate ticket.[18] Jones stated: "Canberrans deserve representation from the left and the right".[19]

Speaking on independent Senator David Pocock, who defeated sitting Liberal Senator Zed Seselja in 2022, Jones stated he is "a nice fellow".[20] She says that a "positive person" like herself with a public profile could stand a chance against Pocock.[21]

Policy Positions[edit]

Pill Testing[edit]

In 2019, amongst debate on whether the Government should implement pill testing, The Canberra Times interviewed local ACT members to see if any ACT politicans have tried 'cannabis, MDMA [or] acid'.[22] Jones said she had never done drugs, but had 'smoked a rolled up newspaper in high school'.[23] "I had a pretty quiet upbringing I’d say," Jones said.[24]

Territory Rights[edit]

Jones has been openly supportive of increasing territory rights for the Australian Capital Territory, noting that it is 'the natural progression for the ACT to have greater self-determination'.[25] Speaking to The Canberra Times in reference to euthanasia, Jones stated that for many the two issues were linked, but she is "[not] here to tell people what to do".[26] She continued: "I respect the voters of the ACT and their rights and their desire for greater rights, because that's natural and normal".[27] Whilst Deputy Leader of the Canberra Liberals in 2021, Jones was part of the party room decision to support territory rights.[28] The decision resulted in a rare tripartisan motion from Labor, the Greens and the Canberra Liberals calling on the federal government to restore rights to the territory.[29] Upon resigning from the ACT Legislative Assembly in early 2022, Jones used her final speech to call for more territory rights for the ACT.[30] Ultimately, the Restoring Territory Rights Act came into effect in December 2022.[31]

Controversy[edit]

Driving Offences[edit]

In a 2013 Canberra Times article, Jones commented that the ACT Labor Government was failing constituents in regards to local car park management.[32] Several days later, an article in the Riotact was published entitled "Giulia Jones having a go at other people's parking!".[33] The article in question shows several photos of Jones' branded vehicle parked illegally.[34]

In 2020, Jones had her driver's license suspended for three months for various speeding offences while she was serving in the ACT Legislative Assembly as the Liberal opposition's spokeswoman for police and emergency services.[35][36][37] Shane Rattenbury, the Capital Territory's Road Safety Minister, responded by saying Jones had a "blatant disregard for road safety" and called for her resignation.[36][37] Jones subsequently stated: "After three months of getting around on my bicycle, it's given me some additional perspective and I'm looking forward to starting a-fresh".[38]

This was not the first recorded driving incident by Jones. In early 2020, a local Canberra resident posted on the well known Canberra community Facebook forum "Canberra Drivers" a video of Jones' branded vehicle failing to give way at an intersection, narrowly missing a nearby vehicle.[39]

Contravention of Liberal Party Media Rules[edit]

In April 2024, Jones announced and spoke to the media regarding her Liberal Party Senate preselection tilt.[40] By announcing her run publicly, Jones has been accused of breaching the constitution of the ACT Liberal Party, and contravening longstanding rules about communication with the media about internal party matters.[41] Jones was interviewed regarding her preselection nomination by the Riotact and WIN News Canberra.[42][43]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Giulia Jones". Member profile. Legislative Assembly for the ACT. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  2. ^ Cox, Lisa (1 November 2012). "Four years later, Mrs Jones is ready for action". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Elizabeth Lee named ACT Opposition Leader". ABC news. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Giulia Jones steps down as deputy leader of Canberra Liberals to give her family support 'they need and deserve'". ABC news. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b Harris, Eleri (22 June 2010). "Keeping up with the Jones girl". Canberra CityNews. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  6. ^ Towell, Noel (27 November 2012). "Giulia with a G rejects 'nagging' feminism". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  7. ^ Doherty, Megan (13 June 2018). "Giulia Jones has baby No. 6 in dramatic fashion". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Jones, Giulia (1980 - )". The Australian Women's Register. Australian Women's Archives Project. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  9. ^ Burgess, Katie (5 February 2018). "Canberra Liberals leader Alistair Coe reveals reshuffle ahead of Parliament return". Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ^ Fuller, Nicholas (6 June 2022). "Giulia Jones reflects on a decade of ACT political service". Canberra Daily. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  11. ^ Fuller, Nicholas (6 June 2022). "Giulia Jones reflects on a decade of ACT political service". Canberra Daily. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Page 5151 week14 2017 - 9th Assembly Hansard - ACT Legislative Assembly". www.hansard.act.gov.au. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  13. ^ "About Giulia". Giulia Jones MLA. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Jones-Giulia". Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Casual vacancies in the tenth Legislative Assembly (2020–2024)". Elections ACT. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Giulia Jones steps down from Legislative Assembly". Canberra CityNews. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Giulia Jones appointed to CEO of Painaustralia". Canberra CityNews. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  18. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Revitalised Giulia Jones throws hat in ring for Liberal Senate ticket". Riotact. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  19. ^ Cancer survivor Giulia Jones is preparing for her next big battle - throwing her hat in the ring for senate preselection. #WINNews | Channel 8 & 80 (HD)... | By WIN News CanberraFacebook. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via www.facebook.com.
  20. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Revitalised Giulia Jones throws hat in ring for Liberal Senate ticket". Riotact. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  21. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Revitalised Giulia Jones throws hat in ring for Liberal Senate ticket". Riotact. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  22. ^ Burgess, Katie (24 January 2019). "Which ACT politicians have tried cannabis, MDMA and acid?". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  23. ^ Burgess, Katie (24 January 2019). "Which ACT politicians have tried cannabis, MDMA and acid?". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  24. ^ Burgess, Katie (24 January 2019). "Which ACT politicians have tried cannabis, MDMA and acid?". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Territory rights fight could extend beyond euthanasia: opposition". The Canberra Times. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Territory rights fight could extend beyond euthanasia: opposition". The Canberra Times. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Territory rights fight could extend beyond euthanasia: opposition". The Canberra Times. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  28. ^ "'It's not off the table': Cheyne flags UN if feds won't let ACT make euthanasia laws". The Canberra Times. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  29. ^ "'It's not off the table': Cheyne flags UN if feds won't let ACT make euthanasia laws". The Canberra Times. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  30. ^ Twyford, Lottie. "Outgoing Liberal MLA uses final speech to call for more territory rights". Riotact. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  31. ^ scheme=AGLSTERMS. AglsAgent; corporateName=Infrastructure, Transport (13 December 2022), Restoring Territory Rights Act 2022, scheme=AGLSTERMS.AglsAgent; corporateName=Office Parliamentary Counsel; address=Locked Bag 30 Kingston ACT 2604; contact=+61 2 6120 1400, retrieved 23 April 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Kelly, Emma (5 November 2013). "Struggle to park irks volunteers". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  33. ^ johnboy. "Giulia Jones having a go at other people's parking!". Riotact. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  34. ^ johnboy. "Giulia Jones having a go at other people's parking!". Riotact. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  35. ^ Inman, Michael (27 May 2020). "Canberra Liberals police and emergency services spokeswoman Giulia Jones loses driver's licence for multiple speeding offences". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  36. ^ a b White, Daniella (28 May 2020). "Liberal MLA Giulia Jones loses licence for speeding". The Canberra Times.
  37. ^ a b "Canberra driver caught doing 214kph showed 'idiotic, dangerous and completely indefensible' behaviour". ABC News. 15 June 2020.
  38. ^ "Giulia Jones loses licence, spends 'three months getting around on my bicycle'". ABC News. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  39. ^ "Tom Adam - MLA member showing everyone what needs to..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  40. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Revitalised Giulia Jones throws hat in ring for Liberal Senate ticket". Riotact. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  41. ^ Constitution of the Liberal Party of Australia (Australian Capital Territory Division). Canberra: Canberra Liberals. November 2018.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  42. ^ Bushnell, Ian. "Revitalised Giulia Jones throws hat in ring for Liberal Senate ticket". Riotact. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  43. ^ Cancer survivor Giulia Jones is preparing for her next big battle - throwing her hat in the ring for senate preselection. #WINNews | Channel 8 & 80 (HD)... | By WIN News CanberraFacebook. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via www.facebook.com.

External links[edit]

Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Molonglo
2012–2016
Served alongside: Hanson, Doszpot, Corbell, Barr, Gallagher, Rattenbury,Fitzharris 		Succeeded by
Electorate abolished
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Murrumbidgee
2016–2022
Served alongside: Davidson, Steel, Hanson, Paterson 		Succeeded by


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giulia_Jones