Isbester, Marsha (1953 - )

One of the very few women ever preselected to run for the National Party. Marsha Isbester was their candidate in the 2003 New South Wales Legislative Assembly elections for Murray-Darling.

Marsha Isbester was born in the United States and came to Australia in 1992, on her marriage to George Isbester, a grazier from Nymagee, western NSW. She became an Australian citizen in 1995 and joined the National Party in 1996.

She has degrees in arts and political science from the US and after graduation worked as a consultant to the lower house of the Californian State Legislature in agricultural policy. She also worked as an assistant to a U.S. Senator in the areas of energy, natural resources, environment and public works. Later, she worked as deputy secretary of Legislative Affairs and Undersecretary of the California Resources Agency.

Marsha Isbester conducted a very active campaign in her 344,642 square kilometre electorate, which stretches from the Queensland to the Victorian borders. She was prompted to stand by her concern for policy on native vegetation, water allocations and threatened species.