Diana Muriel Robinson was born in 1940 to Duncan Robinson, a farmer at Kookynie, Western Australia, and his wife Muriel. Diana was educated at Helena School, Darlington, St. Hilda's Anglican School, and the University of Western Australia, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960. After graduation, she worked as a journalist for the West Australian newspaper, a research assistant for Professor Gordon Reid, a tutor in Women's Studies at Murdoch University, and a radio presenter on ABC 720WF, Radio 6PR and 6NR. Always interested in politics, before entering State Parliament, she was an activist on behalf of women and minority groups. In 1999, she was awarded the Australian Humanist of the Year for her work in society, particularly on behalf of women. In 1993, she was elected Australian Labor Party Member of the Legislative Assembly for Perth. She held several shadow portfolios, was Opposition Whip from May 1996 to January 1997, and President of the Parliamentary Labor Party from 15 January 1997. She retired from Parliament at the 2001 election.

Sources used to compile this entry: Black, David and Phillips, Harry, 'Making a Difference: Women in the West Australian Parliament 1921-1999', Parliament of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 2000; Watson, Judyth [ed.], We Hold Up Half the Sky: The Voices of Western Australian ALP Women in Parliament, Australian Labour Party, Perth, Western Australia, 1994.