Prior to entering Parliament, Steph worked in a diverse range of employment. Having left home and school at a very young age, she worked mainly as a clerk and took on part-time jobs and study. Consequently she worked as a waitress, kitchen hand, cook, cleaner and shop assistant.Later on, Steph worked as the General Secretary of the Flinders University Students Association, Director of the Working Women’s Centre, Senior Industrial Officer- Advocate for the Transport Workers Union, the ACTU (Australian Council of Trade Unions) and the UTLC (United Trades and Labor Council). She has served on a number of national and state boards, including a period of 12 years as a member of the Board of Directors for the South Australian Housing Trust.Steph was first elected to Parliament in October 1997 to represent the State Seat of Hanson.With the advent of the new Labor Government in 2002, Steph served as the Minister responsible for Social Justice (including Ageing, Disability and Community Welfare portfolios), Housing, Youth and the Status of Women until 2004, and then as Minister responsible for Employment, Training and Further Education, Youth and the Status of Women until March 2006 .The seat name changed to Ashford. She was re-elected in the 2010 state election and has been confirmed as a presiding member for the Natural Resources and Occupational, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation parliamentary committees.Steph has just been re elected for a fifth time to SA parliament & the declaration of the Pollsconfirming her as the member for Ashford was held on Thursday March 27 2014..