You probably haven’t heard about Ms Chiaka Barry. She is not a Kemi Badenoch but a politician who holds her own turf in Australia. In the world’s flattest and driest inhabited continent, it is, perhaps, strange to find Africans in the seat of power. But not Ms Barry. She is from Obazu Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria.

In 2008, fate brought her from the United Kingdom to Australia, where she went ahead to study law at the University of Canberra. She exemplifies hard work and determination to succeed.

“I knew that the best chance of surviving and making a life for my children and myself was by finishing the degree,” she told Inkl.com at her home in Bonner as she microwaved soy milk for coffee.

“I knew that I had to work really hard and I had to study as well.”

By the time the Liberal was studying at the University of Canberra, her marriage had been over. The three-month-old son she had when she arrived had been joined by a daughter. Now burdened by two children, life became a bit tough. She wanted to study for masters degree but it was quite expensive – about $50,000.

“I worked four jobs. I worked as a personal care worker in an aged-care facility. I also ran a really small catering business. I also ran a very small salon where I would braid hair on the weekend. I also worked as a paralegal in the department of the Director of Public Prosecutions. But the most significant role that I had was, obviously, being a mum to my two kids.”

Ms Barry faced several challenges in Australia. On July, 2011, she arrived home after studying at university. To her greatest chagrin, her home was crowded with people from the Canberra Nigerian community.

“I was wondering, ‘Why are these guys in my house? I want to go to sleep and go to work the next day.’ And I was told that my brother had passed – that he had been murdered,” she recalled.

The autopsy revealed he had been strangled. She said the thought of losing her brother “eats me up every day.”

On why she became a Liberal, she explained that as an economic migrant, she chose to join a group that could guarantee her future. “I am an economic migrant so it’s about which party gives me and my children the best possible future,” she said, noting that it was “important that people don’t just see me as a minority pick.”

Ms Barry said her upbringing had made her a good manager of men and resources. “I think what’s most important is that my experience and the way I grew up gives me the discipline to be an effective administrator.”

READ ALSO: The rise and rise of Nigeria-born Kemi Badenoch, new Conservative Party leader

Ms Barry was first elected as a Member for Ginninderra to the Eleventh Assembly on November 6, 2024. She was elected as one of two Liberals to the Legislative Assembly at the 2024 election, representing Ginninderra alongside Mr Peter Cain.

Ms Barry became a Shadow Minister for Community Services, Disability and Carers on November 18, 2024. She was also appointed a Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs as well as a Shadow Minister for Women the same day. She was equally appointed Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs that day. Hence, she was appointed to handle 4 positions in 1 day.

A well-known Liberal, Ms Barry was appointed Shadow Minister for Public Housing and Homelessness on June 30 this year. On December 4, she became the Shadow Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness. Then, and then, she was also appointed Shadow Attorney-General.

“I am genuinely humbled to be asked to take on the role of Shadow Attorney-General. Big thank you to @markpartonmla for putting your trust in me,” she posted on her Instagram page after the appointment.