| Jennifer Howard | |
| Honorific-Suffix: | MP |
| Office: | Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment of Queensland |
| Premier: | Steven Miles |
| Term Start: | 18 December 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Charis Mullen |
| Office1: | Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Queensland |
| Premier1: | Annastacia Palaszczuk |
| Term Start1: | 12 December 2017 |
| Term End1: | 12 November 2020 |
| Predecessor1: | New portfolio |
| Successor1: | Bart Mellish |
| Office2: | Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier of Queensland |
| Premier2: | Annastacia Palaszczuk |
| Term Start2: | 11 November 2016 |
| Term End2: | 12 November 2020 |
| Predecessor2: | Mark Ryan |
| Successor2: | Bart Mellish |
| Office3: | Assistant Minister for Local Government of Queensland |
| Premier3: | Annastacia Palaszczuk |
| Term Start3: | 8 December 2015 |
| Term End3: | 11 November 2016 |
| Predecessor3: | New portfolio |
| Successor3: | Glenn Butcher |
| Constituency Am4: | Ipswich |
| Assembly4: | Queensland Legislative |
| Term Start4: | 31 January 2015 |
| Predecessor4: | Ian Berry |
| Birth Date: | 1965 7, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Mackay, Queensland |
| Party: | Labor |
| Profession: | Veterinary Nurse |
Jennifer Ruth Howard (born 12 July 1965) is an Australian politician. She has been the Labor member for Ipswich in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2015.[1] Jennifer has been active in community groups such as Zonta International, school P&Cs, sporting club committees, and other community groups.
In 2005, Jennifer played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Ipswich Women's Development Network, a not-for-profit organisation that helps empower women in Ipswich. [2]
Howard defeated Ian Berry at the 2015 Queensland state election by a margin of 65.9% to 34.1%, achieving a two party preferred swing of 20.09%.
The main contenders for the seat of Ipswich at the 2017 Queensland state election were Howard (as the incumbent)and the recently dismissed One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts. The results on polling day were clear as the former Senator was comfortably defeated by Howard, with a margin of 60.89% to 39.11%.
This election saw Howard's primary vote increase to 51.8%(3.82% swing) bringing her total vote to 66.5% beating her LNP opponent Scott O'Connell at 33.5%.
Howard currently serves as the Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Chair of the Ethics Committee from 26 November 2020 to 12 February 2024. She has also served as the Assistant Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Assistant Minister of State (2017-2020), Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier (2016-2017), and Assistant Minister for Local Government (2015-2016). She also served as the Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee from 27 March 2015 to 18 February 2016. [3]