Introduction
Kylea Jane Tink (pron. /ˈkaɪli/, "Kylie"; born 5 September 1970) is an Australian communications and campaigning expert, businesswoman and politician. She is a former managing director of Edelman Australia, chief executive of the McGrath Foundation and Chief Executive of Camp Quality. Tink was elected to the seat of North Sydney at the 2022 federal election. She has been described as a teal independent.
Early life and education
Kylea Jane Tink was born on 5 September 1970, in the country New South Wales town of Coonabarabran.
She was educated at Coonabarabran High School, and went on to study at Australian National University.
Business career
Tink is a former managing director of Edelman Australia,the largest public relations firm in the world by revenue.
She worked pro bono as a PR consultant for the McGrath Foundation, after being invited to assist the growing organisation following the death of Jane McGrath. In 2008 she took up the role of CEO of the foundation, a role she held from until 2014. Tink was one of the people who helped bring about the Pink Test, a cricketing fundraiser that raises awareness and money for the foundation, including significant grants from the government. They also managed to gain partnerships beyond cricket, including a partnership with St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2013. During her time as CEO the number of breast care nurses in Australia went up from four in 2008 to over 61 in 2011, and over 100 by the time she left the charity in 2014.
Tink was appointed CEO of Camp Quality in 2016, starting in the role in 2017. Under her leadership, the charity saw changes in their structure, including starting a Kids Impacted by a Carers Cancer (KICC) Camp, for children of parents diagnosed with cancer.
Political career
In September 2021, Tink announced her candidacy to run for the seat of North Sydney at the 2022 election. Tink won the seat in May 2022, beating the incumbent, Trent Zimmerman, 53–47 percent after preferences.
Along with other independent politicians who won seats in the election, Tink was described as a teal independent. However, her colour of choice for campaigning is pink.
The main focus of Tink's campaign was climate policy and equality in society. On 30 August 2022, it was publicly revealed by the media that she was a shareholder of two energy companies. Viva Energy Group, which among other things refines oil for Shell in Australia and owns Geelong Oil Refinery, and Beach Energy, an oil and gas exploration and production firm. This was brought to light after Tink published her declaration of interests, a requirement of all MPs. Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticised Tink's ownership of shares in energy companies, given her advocacy on climate change.
In November 2022, Tink tabled her first private members bill advocating for cleaner, cheaper fuel, the Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022.
Tink supports a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament and the "Yes" vote in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.
Personal life
Tink lives in Northbridge on the North Shore of Sydney and is a mother of three.