Sue Mackay

Sue Mary Mackay (born 14 April 1960) is a former Australian politician who served as a Senator for Tasmania from 1996 to 2005, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). She was a shadow minister under Kim Beazley (1998–2001) and an opposition whip (2001–2004).

Early life Mackay was born on 14 April 1960 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She came to Australia in the late 1960s with her parents and brothers. Prior to entering politics she worked as an organiser for the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia (1980–1982), employment officer for the Commonwealth Employment Service (1982–1983), and as women's organiser (1983–1984) and state industrial officer (1984–1988) for the Public Sector Union. Following the 2001 election, she was instead elected Opposition Whip in the Senate, a position she held until after the 2004 election.

Personal life , Mackay was in a long-term relationship with former Tasmanian state MP David Crean. They moved to Victoria in 2008 to be closer to Crean's elderly parents, buying a house in South Yarra.