Julie lives in North Parramatta. She was born in Rockhampton, Queensland before moving to Brisbane when her father joined the army. Julie then moved to Sydney to pursue work opportunities, with brief stints in Melbourne and Tasmania before settling in Parramatta.

Before running for Parliament, Julie was head of AIR (Association of Australian Independent Record Labels), a national association representing the interests of small business in the music sector.

Julie has a strong small business background with a unique range of skills, knowledge and expertise in performance, operations, management, Government and policy development. Julie holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Julie was elected as Member for Parramatta in 2004 and re-elected in 2007.

Electorate Profile: Parramatta

State: New South Wales

Name Derivation: Named after the locality of Parramatta which was first settled in 1788. The name is Aboriginal for ‘plenty of eels’ or ‘head of river’.

Area and Location Description: Parramatta covers an area of approximately 63 sq km from Carlingford and Dundas Valley in the east to Kings Langley, Lalor Park and Seven Hills in the west. The main suburbs include Constitution Hill, Dundas Valley, Girraween, Kings Langley, Lalor Park, North Parramatta, Oatlands, Old Toongabbie, Parramatta CBD, Pendle Hill, Seven Hills, Telopea, Toongabbie and parts of Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Carlingford, Dundas, North Rocks, Northmead, Parramatta, Prospect, Wentworthville, Westmead and Winston Hills.

Products/Industries of the Area: Retail, financial services, transport industry, building materials, major industry and tourism.

First Proclaimed/Election: 1900/1901

Demographic Rating: Inner Metropolitan

Members:

• OWENS, J (ALP) 2004-
• CAMERON, R (LP) 1996-2004
• ELLIOTT, R P (ALP) 1990-1996
• BROWN, J J (ALP) 1977-1990
• RUDDOCK, P M (LP) 1973-1977
• BOWEN, N H (LP) 1964-1973
• BARWICK, G E (LP) 1958-1964
• BEALE, O H (LP) 1946-1958
• STEWART, F H (UAP) 1931-1946
• ROWE, A E (ALP) 1929-1931
• BOWDEN, E K (NAT) 1922-1929
• PRATTEN, H E (NAT) 1921-1922
• COOK, J (FT/ANTI-SOC/LIB/NAT) 1901-1921