Kay Christine Lesley Patterson (born 21 November 1944) is a former Australian politician. She was a Liberal member of the Australian Senate from 1987 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria. Background and education Patterson was born in Sydney and was educated at the University of Sydney, where she graduated with honours with a Bachelor of Arts; and at Monash University where she graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy and Diploma of Education. She studied psychology and education, going on to become a university lecturer, working in several universities in both Australia and in the United States. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2009). Political career In 1985, Patterson was elected as her local party branch delegate to the Liberal Party's State Council. In 1987, when she was pre-selected for a Liberal Senate seat, becoming a senator for the state of Victoria at the 1987 election. Patterson was promoted to the shadow ministry in 1990 as a parliamentary secretary. Over the next few years, she occupied a number of portfolios in relation to health, aged care and social policy. She was promoted again (Shadow Minister for Senior Citizens and Aged Care and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on Women's Affairs and the Arts) under the leadership of John Hewson, but was demoted to a shadow parliamentary secretary position under Alexander Downer. The Liberal Party was returned to power at the 1996 election under John Howard. In 1998 Patterson was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs In 2000 she was given the additional responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The following year, Patterson led the Australian delegation to the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. Following the retirement of Michael Wooldridge at the 2001 election, Patterson was appointed as the Minister for Health and Ageing. She was well received by the Australian Medical Association, who had had a strained relationship with her predecessor. In 2003, in a major reshuffle, she was re-appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues. On 22 January 2006, Patterson announced her resignation from the ministry, and her commission ceased on 27 January. She also announced that she would retire, and left parliament at the expiration of her term in June 2008. Community involvement Patterson was a member of