Anne Gardiner trained as a nurse at Prince Henry Hospital. She came to prominence in 2003 when she challenged a decision by her employer, NSW Workcover, to move her work base from Sydney to Gosford, on the grounds that it would affect her role as the carer of her youngest children. The case, in which she succeeded, set an important precedent as it was the first time the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal had dealt with carer's responsibility under the Anti Discrimination Act.

In 2004, with 41 fellow public servants she headed a ticket to challenge the leadership of the NSW Public Service Association and she and 12 others were elected, changing the balance of power in the union, previously dominated by ALP members. In the Maroubra by-election she got 19.5% of the primary vote, an increase of 11.1%

Sources used to compile this entry: http://www.randwickbotanygreens.org.au (accessed 16 September 2005).