Pavey initially worked as a radio journalist with 2UW in Sydney, but soon became involved in the National Party, and in 1988 took up a position as a media officer for
Matt Singleton, the then-Minister for Administrative Services. Over the next decade, she worked for a number of MPs, including Deputy Premier
Wal Murray (1990–1993), Minister for Consumer Affairs
Wendy Machin (1993–1994) and National Party leader
Ian Armstrong (1994–1997). Pavey entered politics in July 2002, when long-serving Legislative Council member
Doug Moppett died suddenly. In the subsequent weeks, Pavey announced her intention to nominate for the resulting casual vacancy. At the time, the party was recovering from a significant defeat at the
2001 election, and the party was keen to look for younger and more appealing candidates. Despite being nine months pregnant at the time, Pavey was ultimately successful in obtaining preselection, and was sworn in as an MLC in September 2002, Pavey was subsequently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Health. In December 2014, Pavey was preselected by the Nationals as the party's candidate for the lower house seat of
Oxley at the
2015 state election. Following the resignation of
Mike Baird as Premier,
Gladys Berejiklian was elected as
Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier. The
Berejiklian ministry was subsequently formed with Pavey sworn in as the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight with effect from 30 January 2017.
National Party Leadership Following the resignation of
National Party leader and
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Mrs. Pavey announced that she would run in the leadership contest, to be contested on 6 October 2021. She received the endorsement of popular
talkback radio broadcaster and a
Channel Nine commentator,
Ray Hadley. If elected
Leader, she would have been the first female leader of the party, and the first female conservative
Deputy Premier of New South Wales (the first female deputy premier being
Carmel Tebbutt, 2008–2011). On 6 October 2021, Pavey was defeated in the leadership election, 15–3, against former
Deputy Leader Paul Toole.
Bronnie Taylor was elected unopposed as his deputy. In a cabinet reshuffle in December 2021, Pavey was dropped from the
Perrottet ministry. ==See also==