Jennifer Howard is the Member for Ipswich and has represented the people of Ipswich in the Queensland Parliament since 2015. She currently serves on the Parliamentary Ethics Committee, and is the Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities and Mental Health.

She has been the Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee (March 2015 – February 2016), Assistant Minister for Local Government (Dec 2015 – Nov 2016), Assistant Minster for State Assisting the Premier (Nov 2016 – Dec 2017), Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minster for State (Dec 2017 – Oct 2020), Chair of the Parliamentary Ethics Committee (Nov 2020 – February 2024), and Assistant Minster for Treasury, Trade, and Investment (Dec 2023 - Oct 2024).

Jennifer was born and raised in Mackay and has lived in Ipswich for 30 years raising her two children, Sam and Oscar, at Churchill.

Prior to being elected as the Member for Ipswich, Jennifer co-ran her own small business, was a Veterinary Nurse, held various roles in State and Federal Government, and was actively involved in community organisations.

This time spent working for the community encouraged Jennifer to run for election in the State Parliament. During her tenure as the State Member for Ipswich, Jennifer has fiercely advocated for the Ipswich community by supporting local organisations and organising public events to build awareness of issues such as climate change and renewable energy, and women’s sport.

Jennifer is proud of her achievements during her time as Member including the Ipswich Hospital expansion and the new Ripley Satellite Hospital, the completion of the East Ipswich Train Station upgrade, funding for new clubhouses at Ipswich and West Moreton BMX Club and Raceview Soccer Club, and the increased funding for social housing and the opening of the new Ripley Central State School in her electorate.

Jennifer is also the patron of a number of Ipswich community organisations including the Ipswich Hockey Association, the City of Ipswich Pipe Band, Ipswich Logan Hornets Cricket Club, and the Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choirs.