About Jillian ...
The family from left top Simon, Rob with Harry, Ben and Amy, Jillian with Bronte and Chris
Jillian says she is lucky to have been able to choose to live in the most beautiful city in the best country in the world.
She started life in Victoria, was educated at Presbyterian Ladies College in Melbourne and started her career as a journalist on the Melbourne Herald.
She worked in print and electronic media for four years in Hong Kong during the Vietnam War period. Besides working with some well known and inspiring media people, highlights of her South East Asian sojourn included being in Indonesia for President Sukarnos last Presidential speech and a visit to the Australian troops in Vietnam.
On her return to Australia she continued working as a journalist in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide (including a stint on the Parliamentary Press Gallery during the last days of the Premiership of Sir Henry Bolte).
Having married a sailor she started a relatively nomadic life, with many years living in different parts of America.
However, the Skinners, Chris and Jillian and their three (now adult - they go but always seem to return!) children, Amy, Simon and Rob have lived in their Cremorne home for over 20 years now and love the Federation renovators delight, its easy proximity to everything and the friendly neighbourhood.
On her permanent return to Sydney Jillian started her own editorial consultancy which mostly involved corporate writing and strategic planning.
She worked for companies ranging from the big Australian to small but innovative go getters.
Jillian has also been very involved in the local community; at the schools her children attended, helping to establish childcare facilities, working with Service clubs and business organisations.
Immediately before being elected as the Member for North Shore in 1994, Jillian was the Director of the NSW Office of Youth Affairs. She worked with a dedicated team of people to develop policy, design and implement programs particularly aimed at helping disadvantaged young people improve their education and employment skills.
Shes been on numerous boards and committees including the NSW Youth Advisory Council and the NSW Womens Advisory Committee. Jillian has been re-elected to represent the people of North Shore at three general elections since - in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007..
She was Shadow Minister for Health and Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs from 1995 until 2003 (with a break in Youth Affairs from 1999 until 2002), Shadow Minister for Education & Training and Shadow Minister for The Arts following the 2003 election until September 2004 when she was reappointed Shadow Minister for Health and retained the Arts portfolio.
Following the 2007 election Jillian was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. She retained the positions of Shadow Minister for Health, Shadow Minister for Medical Science and Research and Shadow Minister for the Arts.
As part of a refocus of the Shadow Cabinet Jillian became the Shadow Minister for Health, responsible for health matters, cancer, medical research and ambulances. She remains the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.