Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Parkes, New South Wales, 2001. Re-elected 2004. Elected to the House of Representatives for Calare, New South Wales, 2007, following electoral redistribution. Re-elected 2010 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 12.10.2015 to 9.5.2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services from 26.10.2004 to 6.7.2005.
• Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs from 6.7.2005 to 27.1.2006.
• Minister for Community Services from 27.1.2006 to 30.1.2007.
• Assistant Minister for Environment and Water Resources from 30.1.2007 to 3.12.2007.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Environment and Heritage served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Publications served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 6.2.2003 to 31.8.2004; Ageing served from 4.11.2003 to 31.8.2004; Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts served from 11.3.2008 to 3.2.2010; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government served from 11.3.2008 to 17.3.2008; Environment served as Chair from 9.9.2015 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Statutory: Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served from 20.3.2002 to 6.2.2003; Public Accounts and Audit served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004

Parliamentary party positions

• The Nationals. Served: 11.10.2003 to 09.05.2016
• National Party of Australia. Served: 10.11.2001 to 11.10.2003
• Shadow Minister for Regional Development from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Minister for Water Security from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 6.12.2007 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Forestry from 8.12.2009 to 14.9.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.
• Chair of the Government Backbench Policy Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• Member of the Government Backbench Policy Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation.
• Member of the Government Backbench Policy Committee on Environment and Heritage.
• Member of the Government Backbench Policy Committee on Industry and Resources.
• Member of the Government Backbench Policy Committee on Tourism, Art and Sport.

Party positions

• Member of the National Party from 1984.

Other positions

• Member of the Rural Assistance Authority (New South Wales Branch).
• Chair of the Western Division Council.
• Member of the Western Lands Advisory Board.
• President of the New South Wales Farmers' Association from 1998 to 2001.
• Member of the National Farmers' Federation Executive from 1998 to 2001.
• Chair of the Consultative Panel for the Black Spot Funding Programme from 2013.

Personal

• Born: 11.2.1950, Bathurst, Australia
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Jackaroo, overseer and manager from 1968 to 1974.
• Farmer and grazier from 1976.

Electorate

• Name: Calare
• Location: central New South Wales; it includes the centres of Bathurst, Blayney, Canowindra, Eugowra, Forbes, Lithgow, Molong, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Peak Hill, Portland, Wallerawang and Yeoval.
• Area: 30,526 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 102,038 (at 7.9.2013)
• Industries: mining, mixed farming, fruit, timber, vineyards, meat and wool processing, transport, light engineering, manufacturing and food processing, tertiary education services, agricultural and pastoral support services.
• Includes: Calare includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Orange, and parts of Bathurst.