[2] Kirkland first attempted to enter politics at the 2016 Queensland local elections when she contested Rockhampton Regional Council's Division 7.
[7] Attracting more than 9% of the primary vote, Kirkland polled in fifth position behind Tony Williams, Chris "Pineapple" Hooper, Russell Claus and Cherie Rutherford.
[8] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021, Kirkland declined to publicly declare whether or not she was vaccinated, stating: “As the opportunity to partake in Covid-19 vaccination, currently considered our best defence against Covid, is not mandatory and is completely on a voluntary basis, it is my understanding that everyone’s decision in this is, and any other medical procedure, retains the right to personal choice and privacy.”[9] In October 2024, Queensland opposition leader David Crusafulli announced Kirkland as the LNP's candidate for the seat of Rockhampton at the 2024 Queensland state election.
[11][12] In the 2024 election, Kirkland defeated Labor candidate Craig Marshall to win the seat of Rockhampton for the LNP.
[13] On 10 November, it was announced that Kirkland had been appointed as the Assistant Minister for Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Families and Seniors and Central Queensland in the new Crisafulli ministry.