Morand has a background in health, research and politics. After commencing her career as a general nurse, Morand was one of the first organ transplant coordinators in Victoria. After a career break with the birth of her two children, Morand returned to university and completed her Arts degree at La Trobe University with an honours year in Sociology, majoring in statistics. This led to a research role at the Centre for Behavioural Research at the Cancer Council Victoria and work on a diverse range of projects including evaluation of the Quit program and cancer patient needs. Morand went on to become an advisor to John Thwaites, the newly elected Victorian Minister for Health and Deputy Premier, working across a range of public health policies and programs and health practitioner regulation. In March 2020 Morand was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Political career
Morand ran unsuccessfully as the Australian Labor Party candidate for the federal electorate of Kooyong in the 1998 election, achieving a 2.4% swing towards the ALP. She won the Liberal-held Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Mount Waverley in the 2002 election, at the age of 43. During her time in Parliament, she served for four years on the board of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and held a range of senior government positions including Parliamentary Secretary for Health. On 2 August 2007, newly appointed Premier John Brumby announced a cabinet reshuffle in which Morand was elevated to the newly created portfolio of Children and Early Childhood Development. She was also appointed Minister for Women's Affairs. As Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Morand had responsibility for a wide range of early years services including maternal and child health, kindergarten and early intervention services for children with disabilities. As Minister for Women's Affairs she was a passionate advocate for women's equality of opportunity and the prevention of violence against women, and led major legislative reform in women's health. In 2008, Morand introduced the Abortion Law Reform Bill. The passage of the bill decriminalised abortion in Victoria up to twenty four weeks and up to the moment of birth if two doctors grant approval. As a consequence of her pro-choice advocacy she was targeted by Right to Life organisations before and during the campaign for the 2010 Victorian election. At that election, she lost her seat to the Liberal candidate, Michael Gidley.
Maxine served as CEO of Breast Cancer Network Australia between 2011 and 2014. Maxine was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2011, giving her personal insight into the impact and management of a cancer diagnosis. Morand currently serves as chair of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
