Background
Simmons was born in the United Kingdom.
Simmons was born in the United Kingdom.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Certificate in Education, a Masters in Psychology, and is a Justice of the Peace. After University, she taught in a large Comprehensive School in inner London, before becoming Headmistress of Street Marys Convent in Cambridge. After emigrating to South Australia, she taught at both Street Ignatius Secondary School and Street Francis of Assisi Junior Schools before making a change to health, community and disability sectors.
She has been Chief Executive Officer of the Playgroup Association of Société Anonyme, Blind Welfare Association, Cystic Fibrosis Association, Autism Société Anonyme and State Manager of Council on the Ageing.
Simmons has also represented South Australia on many national bodies including State Representative on the National Women"s Consultative Committee and National Council for International Year of the Family. Simmons has three children.
Simmons first ran as a Labor candidate for the division of Sturt against Liberal incumbent Christopher Pyne at the 2001 federal election but was unsuccessful. Simmons contested the seat for Labor at the 2006 election and defeated Hall with 57.9 percent of the two-party vote from a 12 percent swing.
Simmons" major Committee contribution was on the Social Development Committee, chaired by Ian Hunter, which spanned her time in parliament.
Simmons also served on the Statutory Officers Committee, the Standing Orders Committee, and the Public Works Committee. In 2009 Simmons lobbied the South Australian Government and the Department of Environment and Heritage to secure a portion of land located adjacent to the Morialta Conservation Park to be purchased to become part of the park. She was successful with the purchase taking place later that year.
Simmons was defeated at the 2010 election by Liberal Party candidate John Gardner who received 54.1 percent of the two-party vote from an 11.1 percent swing.
She is also a former lay member of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal.