Before entering politics, Foley was a barrister and social worker, and sub-dean of the Social Work Faculty at
Queensland University 1981–1983. Foley was chairperson of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (1983–1986), president of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (1985–1987), a member of the Criminal Law Sub-Committee of the Bar Association of Queensland and of the National Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (1988–1989) and National President of the Labor Lawyers Association (1989). ==Political career==