| Honorific-Suffix: | MP |
| Constituency Am: | South Brisbane |
| Assembly: | Queensland Legislative |
| Term Start: | 26 October 2024 |
| Predecessor: | Amy MacMahon |
| Nationality: | Australian, Irish |
| Party: | Labor (since 2022) |
| Children: | 3 |
| Residence: | South Brisbane |
| Profession: | Emergency Doctor |
Barbara O'Shea is an Irish-Australian politician and doctor. She was elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for South Brisbane representing the Labor party in the 2024 Queensland state election.[1]
Prior to entering politics, O'Shea practiced as a doctor specialising in emergency medicine and mental health at the PA Hospital in Woolloongabba in addition to working with current & recovering heroin addicts across Brisbane's southside and further advocated & pursued continued and expanded access to harm-reduction services.[2] O'Shea and her husband also own and operate a small business.
O'Shea herself grew up in public housing during her formative years, which she credits with allowing her to achieve a good education through the life stability provided.
After being preselected as the Labor candidate for South Brisbane, O'Shea received the endorsement of EMILY's List Australia for the seat as the best candidate to support & uphold women's rights in accordance with ELA's 5 values and priorities of being pro-choice, supporting equal pay, affordable childcare & early education, equity and diversity.[3]
O'Shea is a member of the Australian Labor Party's progressive Left faction.
O'Shea is a mother of three children. O'Shea and her husband currently reside in the suburb of South Brisbane. The two met decades earlier living as housemates in West End.[4]