In 2008, she was one of a number of Australian politicians who backed besieged politician Belinda Neal. In 2011, she was Deputy Chair of a parliamentary inquiry into domestic violence which pushed for an integrated response to domestic and family violence by the NSW Government. In 2014, Helen Westwood participated in a move by the Labor-affiliated Australian Services Union to allow the membership to vote on who the Union's delegates would preselect for the Labor ticket in the Legislative Council. Despite winning the endorsement of the ASU rank and file Helen ultimately failed in her bid to regain preselection on the back of other Left-affiliated unions (the AMWU, CFMEU and CPSU) voting for Luke Foley, Lynda Voltz and Mick Veitch. Allegations were raised that this was the final payback for the earlier allegations against Paul Gibson. Awards In 2001, she was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for service to Local Government. In 2006, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services to Local Government. In 2007, she was commended in the Women of the West Award for her commitment and dedication to improving social balance, equity, opportunity and community harmony. References Living people Recipients of the Centenary Medal Labor Left politicians Lesbian politicians Members of the Order of Australia Mayors of Bankstown Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council Year of birth missing (living people) LGBT legislators in Australia Place of birth missing (living people) Women mayors of places in New South Wales Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of New South Wales 21st-century Australian politicians 21st-century Australian women politicians Women members of the New South Wales Legislative Council