In 1996 she completed an associate diploma in business and industrial relations at the Queensland University of Technology.
[2] Her preselection was controversial, in part due to her husband's position as ALP state president, and occurred only after an existing candidate resigned from the ticket.
[1] In June 2000, Gibbs was demoted to the third position on the ALP's Senate ticket in Queensland, widely regarded as "unwinnable".
[1] Her husband was a union organiser and was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1977, later serving as the party's state president.
[1] After leaving parliament, Gibbs worked for the Logan City Council and as a real estate agent.