The daughter of former Geraldton mayor James McAleer, Margaret was born in Perth,[1] and educated in Geraldton and Perth before studying at the University of Melbourne, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
In 1961 she began farming at Arrino, and was elected to Three Springs Shire Council in 1967.
She became active in the Liberal Party as a member of the Rural Committee from 1968, President of the Kalgoorlie Central Division from 1970 and State Vice President in 1973.
[2] McAleer was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council in 1974, representing Upper West Province; she was the first non-Labor woman to win a seat in the council.
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