[2] In 2002, Thwaites began working at 2CUZ, an Indigenous community radio station in Bourke, New South Wales.
[2] She later worked as a senior adviser to Labor MP Jenny Macklin and as communications director at the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
According to The Guardian, her victory was "almost a direct result of Josh Burns' win in Macnamara, with the Labor left concerned about its female representation".
[5] Thwaites was returned as the member for Jagajaga at the 2022 Federal Election with an increased margin of over 12% of the two party preferred vote.
[9] In April 2023, Thwaites co-signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for an urgent boost to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and other support payments.