Rosslyn Mary Bates (born 25 May 1962) is an Australian politician. Bates has been a Liberal National Party member of the Parliament of Queensland since March 2009, representing the electorate of Mudgeeraba. Early career Prior to entering politics, Bates spent 29 years in the health profession. Starting her career as a nurse in both the public and private sector, she became the general manager and director of nursing at the Wesley Gold Coast Hospital. Bates was awarded the Prime Minister's Centenary of Federation Medal (2001) and the Telstra Business Woman of the Year (AusIndustry category) in 2000. Political career In April 2012, Bates was appointed the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts as part of Campbell Newman's first Cabinet. After a series of health issues including a serious shoulder infection and sustaining fractured vertebrae, Bates resigned as Minister on 15 February 2013 Member for Mudgeeraba Bates was first elected as the Member for Mudgeeraba in March 2009 after defeating the incumbent Labor Member Dianne Reilly. Bates was re-elected in March 2012 with an increased majority. As the incoming Member for Mudgeeraba, Bates said she would fight to ensure the Southport Hospital was retained as an operational facility when the new University Hospital opens at Parklands in 2012. Bates campaigns on popular issues, saying "issues such as the overhead power lines in Reedy Creek, the Elysium Road overpass and stopping that closure, [are] all very resounding issues in the electorate." Bates first stood as the Liberal candidate for the seat in 2006 but was defeated. Controversies In 2012, Ros Bates' son, Ben Gommers, was at the centre of a scandal accusing him of being improperly appointed to a high paying public servant position. The media questioned the relationship between Ms Bates and the relevant minister under whom her son was employed. Questions were referred to Ms Bates regarding this relationship and what, if any, influence she had regarding her appointment, however it was later revealed that she did not have any input into the appointment of her son. This included perks such as a car park being awarded to her son whose position traditionally doesn't receive an inner city car park. It was also revealed that her son had worked previously in similar positions in NSW and Victoria under Liberal and Labor Governments. As the Minister for Information Technology it was reported Bates attended a dinner with several