Minister for Tourism · Minister for Education · Minister for Women Tasmania

Paula was elected to the House of Assembly in February, 1996. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Ken Wriedt, a former Labor Senator, Minister in the Whitlam Government, State Minister and State Labor Leader.

She has held the portfolio as Minister for Education since September 1998 and was Tasmania's youngest ever female member of Cabinet.

Paula grew up on Hobart's Eastern shore where she attended Howrah Primary, Clarence High and Rosny College. In 1993, as a mature age student, she began a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Tasmania.

After leaving school in 1985 Paula worked as a legal secretary but in 1989 her interest in politics really began when she worked as a research officer for the Field Labor Government's Deputy Premier, Peter Patmore, and later as an electorate adviser to State Labor Leader, Michael Field.

In 1994/95 Paula went on a cultural exchange program to the United States for two months and in July 1996 she was selected to be one of 100 future Australian leaders to participate in the Queen's Trust Youth Forum in Melbourne.

Paula is married to Dale Rahmanovic and in April 2000 created history by becoming the first female Tasmanian MP or Minister to have a child while in office with the birth of her son, Daniel. In October 2001 Paula again created by history, by giving birth to her second child, a daughter, Amy.

After her re-election in July 2002, Paula retained her position as Minister for Education. She also gained new responsibilities as Minister for Women Tasmania and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.

She was appointed to the tourism portfolio in April 2005.

Since acquiring the tourism portfolio, she has been busy launching a raft of initiatives including an interpretation manual for Tasmanian tourism operators, new and innovative tourism websites, the revamped highly-successful Tasmanian short breaks marketing campaign, and regional tourism strategies.

Paula is also involved in the Tasmanian tourism industry through family involvement in a tourist accommodation business at Bicheno on the State's beautiful east coast.

Paula is a passionate Tasmanian genuinely excited about and committed to all her portfolios.