Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Leichhardt, Queensland, 1996. Re-elected 1998, 2001, 2004. Retired prior to general elections 2007. Elected to the House of Representatives for Leichhardt, Queensland, 2010. Re-elected 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Parliamentary appointments

• Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 15.9.2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources from 21.10.1998 to 26.11.2001.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources from 26.11.2001 to 27.1.2006.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 29.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Environment, Recreation and the Arts served from 30.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Environment and Heritage served from 9.2.2006 to 17.10.2007; Health and Ageing served from 9.2.2006 to 17.10.2007; Selection served from 30.9.2010 to 23.5.2011; House served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Selection served from 25.5.2011 to 5.8.2013; Environment and Energy served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Infrastructure, Transport and Cities served from 15.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Social Policy and Legal Affairs served from 7.2.2018 to 11.4.2019; Indigenous Affairs served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Select: Northern Australia served as Chair from 9.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Northern Australia served from 9.8.2022 to 8.9.2022; Northern Australia served as Deputy Chair from 8.9.2022 to present
• Joint Standing: Northern Australia served as Chair from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Statutory: Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served from 18.6.1996 to 3.6.1997; Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served as Chair from 4.6.1997 to 31.8.1998; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 02.03.1996 to 17.10.2007, 21.08.2010 to present
• Chief Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives from 14.9.2010 to 5.8.2013.

Other positions

• Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef from 29.5.2019 to 11.4.2022.

Personal

• Born: 31.5.1950, Babinda, Australia
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Company director.
• Aircraft engine fitter from 1969 to 1978.
• Maintenance fitter and welder from 1978 to 1982.
• Real estate sales and development from 1982 to 1996.
• Crocodile catcher and farmer from 1982.
• Grazier from 1988.

Military Service

• RAAF from 1969 to 1978.

Electorate

• Name: Leichhardt
• Location: The Division of Leichhardt consists of: Aurukun Shire Council, Cook Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council, Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council, Torres Shire Council, Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Weipa Town Council, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, part of the Cairns Regional Council, part of the Carpentaria Shire Council, and part of the Mareeba Shire Council.
• Area: 148,559 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 109,458 (at 10.6.2019)
• Industries: Sugar, tropical fruit, aquaculture, cattle, fishing, mining and tourism.