While proudly an Eastern Suburbs local,O’Neill also has deep ties to rural New South Wales,particularly the town of Bannister,near Crookwell in the state’s Southern Tablelands. Her family maintains a farm in the region,where she spent significant time throughout her life. There,she took part in hands-on work such as fencing,tree planting,and mustering,tagging,and castrating cattle.
This firsthand experience of regional life instilled in O’Neill a deep respect for rural communities and a strong understanding of the challenges they face. It has shaped her commitment to policies that support agriculture,decentralisation,rural healthcare,and regional development. She often speaks of rural NSW with affection and regard,acknowledging its vital role in the state’s economy,identity,and sustainability.Marjorie O’neill first speech
Marjorie’s mother,Keri Spooner,played a pivotal role in fostering her belief in grassroots activism and the importance of community connection. Keri taught her daughter to “walk the talk,”engage with her neighbours,and care about the world beyond her own doorstep.
O’Neill is very close to her siblings—Bridget,Christopher,Mary,and Francis—and frequently acknowledges their love and support throughout her personal and professional life. She is also a devoted aunt to her nieces,Matilda and Laura,and credits her broader family network,including aunts,uncles,and cousins,with providing the support and stability that enabled her to pursue a career in public life.
O'Neill is a volunteer surf lifesaver at Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club.[4] She also played rugby union for Sydney University Women's Rugby Club and coached at UNSW.[6]
Before entering politics,O’Neill worked in retail for several years at Rebel Sport,which she often cites as a formative experience in understanding the value of everyday work and the dignity of labour. Her time on the shop floor and in classrooms equipped her with a broad understanding of the challenges facing working Australians,especially young people,women,and those in insecure or underpaid work.
Political career
O'Neill was first elected to Waverley Council on 9 September 2017 in Waverley Ward representing the Labor Party. She served as the Chair of the Community Safety Advisory Committee and the Waverley Surf Life Saving Club Committee.[10][5] She was later preselected to run as the Labor candidate in the Division of Coogee in the 2019 state election. Dr. O'Neill defeated Bruce Notley-Smith to become the Member for Coogee,in one of two victories for the Labor Party in the 2019 State Election.[3][4][7][11]
O'Neill used her inaugural speech to discuss her heritage,her family,the history of the electorate of Coogee,and her priorities while she holds the seat.[12] In her first term,she was a member of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure and the Modern Slavery Committee.[11] She was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Transport in May 2023.[11]
O'Neill is a regular contributor to The Beast magazine,with her own column each month.[13][14]
O’Neill, M. S., & Jepsen, D. (2019). Women's desire for the kaleidoscope of authenticity, balance and challenge: A multi‐method study of female health workers’ careers. Gender, Work & Organization, 26(7), 962–982
Spooner, K., & O’Neill, M. (2023). 170 years later can the northcote-Trevelyan report 1854 help address corruption in local government. International Journal of Employment Studies, 31(2), 67–87.
Jepsen, D. M., & O'Neill, M. S. (2013). Australian hospital pharmacists reflect on career success. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 43(1), 29–31.
O'Neill, M. (2014). The new late life career: a mixed methods study of health workers: understanding the workforce issues of today's older workers (Doctoral dissertation, Macquarie University).
O'Neill, B., & O'Neill, M. (2010). Termination in Australia: the implications of changing the unfair dismissal and termination law. International Employment Relations Review, 16(1), 82–94.
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