Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 1998. Defeated at general elections 2004.

Committee service

• Joint Select: Intelligence Services served from 28.6.2001 to 27.8.2001
• Joint Standing: National Capital and External Territories served from 30.9.1999 to 18.11.2002
• Joint Statutory: National Crime Authority served from 19.6.2000 to 8.10.2001; Australian Crime Commission served from 14.2.2002 to 30.6.2005
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 9.8.1999 to 23.6.2005; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 9.8.1999 to 23.6.2005; Economics: Legislation served as Substitute member from 30.9.1999 to 4.9.2000; Economics: References served as Substitute member from 30.9.1999 to 4.9.2000; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Substitute member from 3.7.2000 to 13.8.2000; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served as Substitute member from 22.5.2001 to 8.10.2001; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 23.5.2001 to 28.8.2001; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served as Substitute member from 13.2.2002 to 31.8.2004; Community Affairs: Legislation served from 18.11.2002 to 30.6.2005; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served as Substitute member from 18.11.2004 to 30.6.2005

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Tonga and Fiji, December 2003.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand and Vanuatu, December 2004.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Democrats. Served: 01.07.1999 to 30.06.2005
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice (including domestic human rights); Energy and Resources; Forestry; Fisheries; Transport from 1.7.1999 to 11.10.1999.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice (including domestic human rights); Fisheries; Forestry and Conservation; Resources and Energy; Transport from 11.10.1999 to 20.3.2000.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice (including domestic human rights); Fisheries; Forestry and Conservation; Local Government; Transport from 20.3.2000 to 14.4.2001.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice (including domestic human rights); Fisheries; Gay and Lesbian Issues; Information Technology; Transport (including Aviation); Youth Affairs from 14.4.2001 to 1.7.2002.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice (including domestic human rights); Consumer Affairs; Fisheries; Information Technology; Sexuality Issues; Transport (including Aviation); Youth Affairs from 1.7.2002 to 21.8.2002.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice; Consumer Affairs; Fisheries; Information Technology; Sexuality Issues; Transport (including Aviation); Youth Affairs from 21.8.2002 to 24.10.2002.
• Australian Democrats Spokesperson on Attorney-General and Justice; Disability Services; Family and Community Services; Fisheries; Information Technology; Sexuality Issues from 24.10.2002 to 30.6.2005.

Personal

• Born: 22.2.1966, Fremantle, Australia
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (Murdoch University).
• Freelance writer.
• Deckhand from 1984 to 1985.
• Research officer from 1990 to 1998.
• Art gallery assistant, 1992.

Local Government service

• Councillor, Town of Vincent from 1995 to 1999.

Honours

• Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, 13.6.2011.