Early career She worked as a languages teacher and on social justice issues for many years through her involvement in housing, environment, anti-nuclear, peace and women's organisations before gaining ALP pre-selection for the Division of Phillip, a seat she won at the
1983 Australian federal election, making her the first woman from New South Wales to sit in the federal parliament.
Parliamentary career She was made Minister for Consumer Affairs in 1992, making her the first female federal minister from New South Wales. When the Division of Phillip was abolished after an electoral redistribution, it was arranged for McHugh to move to the
Division of Grayndler, as she was entitled to a seat as a minister. The sitting member
Leo McLeay agreed to move to the new neighbouring electorate of
Watson. McHugh announced her retirement from parliament, to be effective at the time of the 1996 Australian federal election, at which the ALP lost government.
Anthony Albanese won pre-selection for Grayndler, and retained the seat for Labor at the election. McHugh was a member of Labor's Left faction.
Post-parliamentary career McHugh is Chair of the Jessie Street Trust, and was Secretary of the
Evatt Foundation until November 2006. ==Personal life==