Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Corinella, Victoria, 1993. Elected to the House of Representatives for Bruce, Victoria, 1996, following electoral redistribution. Re-elected 1998 and 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 3.12.2007 to 14.9.2010.
• Minister for Defence Personnel from 1.4.2010 to 14.9.2010.
• Cabinet Secretary from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 1.7.2013 to 18.9.2013.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Publications served from 26.5.1993 to 31.8.1998; Employment, Education and Training served from 27.6.1994 to 13.2.1997; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 31.8.2000 to 8.10.2001; Economics, Finance and Public Administration served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Communications, Information Technology and the Arts served from 2.12.2004 to 25.5.2006
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 26.5.1993 to 15.5.1997; Electoral Matters served from 17.11.1997 to 31.8.1998; Electoral Matters served from 6.9.2005 to 17.10.2007; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 25.10.2010 to 3.9.2014; Electoral Matters served from 25.10.2010 to 3.12.2013; Electoral Matters served as Deputy Chair from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 10.2.2015 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Statutory: Public Accounts served from 12.5.1993 to 28.5.1996; Public Accounts served as Deputy Chair from 29.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Public Accounts and Audit served as Deputy Chair from 1.1.1998 to 31.8.1998; Public Accounts and Audit served from 1.9.1998 to 9.8.1999; Public Accounts and Audit served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Corporations and Financial Services served as Deputy Chair from 20.3.2002 to 18.9.2002; Corporations and Financial Services served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 13.03.1993 to 09.05.2016
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Health from 20.10.1998 to 25.11.2001.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 20.10.1998 to 25.11.2001.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition from 25.11.2001 to 18.2.2003.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Treasury, Finance and Small Business (Consumer Affairs and Banking Services) from 25.11.2001 to 18.2.2003.
• Shadow Minister for Consumer Protection and Consumer Health from 18.2.2003 to 8.12.2003.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 2.7.2003 to 3.12.2007.
• Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Health from 8.12.2003 to 26.10.2004.
• Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs from 8.12.2003 to 26.10.2004.
• Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation from 26.10.2004 to 24.6.2005.
• Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 24.6.2005 to 3.12.2007.
• Shadow Special Minister of State from 24.6.2005 to 3.12.2007.
• Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party from 1979.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (Vic.) from 1984.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Administrative Committee (Vic.) from 1989 to 1991.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party Springvale South Branch (Vic.) from 1990 to 1993.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Administrative Committee (Vic.), 1993.

Personal

• Born: 23.2.1960, Melbourne, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (Australian National University).
• Public servant from 1984 to 1985.
• Union organiser, 1986.
• Electorate office secretary from 1987 to 1988.
• Union organiser from 1988 to 1989.
• Electorate office secretary from 1989 to 1990.
• Ministerial adviser to the Minister for Community Services, the Hon. K Setches, MLA (Vic.) from 1990 to 1991.
• Ministerial adviser to the Hon. S Crean, MP from 1991 to 1993.

Local Government service

• Councillor, Springvale City Council from 1991 to 1993.

Electorate

• Name: Bruce
• Location: eastern Melbourne; it includes the suburbs of Dandenong North, Glen Waverley, Mulgrave, Noble Park North, Wheelers Hill and parts of Clayton, Dandenong, Noble Park, Notting Hill and Springvale.
• Area: 73 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 94,772 (at 7.9.2013)
• Industries: commercial activities including warehouse and light engineering.
• Includes: Bruce includes the Victorian Legislative Assembly electorate of Mulgrave, and parts of Clarinda, Dandenong, Forest Hill, Mt Waverley and Oakleigh.