After leaving the navy, she moved into the area of aged care nursing, while completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of South Australia.
Draper joined the Liberal Party in 1992 and subsequently stood for pre-selection for the Makin in November 1994.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet subsequently changed the policy to permanently abolish the GST component of petrol excise indexation.
Draper was involved in a travel controversy when she took her boyfriend away with her to a taxpayer-funded study tour to England, Ireland, France and the Netherlands in 2004.
[1] Whilst Draper maintained she had done nothing wrong, the ensuing controversy lead to a review of MP travel entitlements.
In June 2006, after the death of a long serving staff member, and the sudden illness of her husband, Draper decided to retire from Federal politics.
Although Prime Minister John Howard encouraged her to stay,[3] Draper announced her intention to retire at the 2007 election.
As of 2022, Draper continues to be a member of the Liberal Party, and active in the Newland and Makin branches.