Ann Bunnell was elected to Townsville City Council in 1988; then in May 1989 was appointed Deputy Mayor of Townsville.

She is an experienced administrator. As chair of key portfolio areas including engineering, city planning and the environment, Ann has played a lead role in the development of the Townsville City Council, one of the State's largest local authorities with assets of $1.3 billion.

Ann's management skills have been consolidated with her admission as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her public sector experience has resulted in her appointment as director and member of boards including the State Library Board and the Queensland Country Credit Union, the third largest credit union in the State, Foodbank Townsville and most recently Foodbank Queensland.

Ann has demonstrated a long-term commitment to issues including women's rights and the environment. She was appointed by the Premier as an inaugural member of the Queensland Women's Consultative Committee, established Townsville's first Women's Advisory Group, and has served terms on both the National Landcare Advisory Committee and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Consultative Committee.

Ann is currently chairperson of the Sustainability Development Committee and a member of the Reef Guardian Council and the Local Government Natural Resource Management Council.

Prior to serving in local government, Ann worked as a State registered nurse, including positions as Area Manager at the Townsville General Hospital, one of the State's leading acute care facilities.

Ann has a married son, Mark and a married daughter, Leah, as well as stepdaughters Jill and Jenny following her marriage to Jim Bunnell in 1983.