Margaret Quirk was elected as the Member for Girrawheen in 2001.  She has served as the Government Whip as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Justice.

Margaret was elected to State Cabinet in 2005 and, in addition to being the Minister for Corrective Services and Minister for Small Business, also served as Minister for Justice; Womens' Interests; Disability Services; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests; Seniors and Volunteering and the Minister assisting the Minister for Federal/State relations.