Welcome to Quick Q – Monday Media’s weekly Q&A series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the Australian media landscape.

Every week The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age asks key figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer a series of questions about their lives, careers, hobbies and news habits.

This week’s conversation is Kate Jones, former Queensland government minister and Australian Rugby League Commission commissioner. She is also executive director at the Tech Council of Australia.

How did you get your big break?
I’m still working towards it! But in my experience the old adage that there is no reward in life without risk, is true.

What are daily news media habits?
I always check my news apps as soon as I wake up and then I read my NRL media clips and CommsDay.

Which living person do you most admire?
Angela Merkel.

Your guilty streaming pleasure?
Veep.

Which phrase do you overuse?
In a minute.

What did you want to do when you grew up?
Be a politician or a rock star (same, same).