Meet the leaders: Senator Jane Hume

Jane Hume is a Liberal Senator for Victoria and a The Rest is History podcast superfan. In this profile she shares why her new year’s resolution has quickly gone off track. 

What are you reading and/or listening to at the moment?
[The recent] pick for my book group is Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June – but something tells me it will sit on my bedside gathering dust until my first post-election weekend. I am however doing a decent job at keeping up with my favourite podcast The Rest is History. 

Did you make a new year’s resolution and if so what is it?
Too attend my book group more often. Clearly not off to a good start!

What is the one thing you spend money on that could be considered an indulgence?
Bath salts, bath oils and smelly candles. There’s something special about a good bath with a nice candle burning. 

Following on from that, what brand is your current obsession?
Oroton is so chic and always has some lovely items, but my daughter recently introduced me to Glassons and they have some great basic tops which I have stocked up on. 

Who do you most admire and why?
My best friend Caroline. She’s a surgeon, an academic, a mother of four great kids, wife to another surgeon, she finds time to exercise each day and she still has time to text me and ask how I’m doing (and share the occasional cheeky wine, moments of vulnerability and self doubt, and regular raucous laughter – plus she regularly attends book group!). 

Is exercise a must or a grind and how do you fit it into your lifestyle?
It is a must! I try to walk into the office in Canberra where I can, and when I’m at home I take my black Lab Polly for a walk most days. I also carve out a gym session with a trainer once a week for the sake of my aging bones! 

What is the best piece of feedback you’ve received?
It’s actually a quote by Sheryl Sandberg, “If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on”. 

What motivated you to run for public office?
I have always believed in the importance of effective, efficient and small government, run by sensible people with real world experience and good judgement.

What are you most proud of in your career?
Legislating for choice in superannuation and stopping the proliferation of multiple accounts. 

What keeps you awake at night?
The cost of living crisis.

Was there ever a time when you felt stuck in your career and if so how did you work through it?
Many times. I think the trick is to never blame someone else, no matter how tempting. As harsh as it sounds, the only person that really cares about your career is you. You can only ever look to yourself to make a change. Don’t get bitter – get better, or move on. 

What would you like your political legacy to be?
I want to help encourage more Australian women from all walks of life to engage with the Liberal Party, to see their hopes and dreams reflected in our priorities, and see the benefits and opportunities for them that come from not just voting Liberal, but being part of the movement.