Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Holt, Victoria at by-election 1999, vice the Hon. G Evans (resigned). Re-elected 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019. Retired prior to general elections 2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 3.12.2007 to 14.9.2010.
• Parliamentary Secretary for Trade from 25.2.2009 to 14.9.2010.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Environment and Heritage served from 1.6.2000 to 6.6.2000; Environment and Heritage served as Deputy Chair from 7.6.2000 to 8.10.2001; Industry and Resources served as Deputy Chair from 20.3.2002 to 21.10.2002; Science and Innovation served from 2.12.2004 to 10.5.2005; Members' Interests served from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Petitions served from 25.10.2010 to 9.5.2016; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 22.7.2019 to 18.10.2021
• Joint Standing: Treaties served from 16.2.2000 to 8.10.2001; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 24.9.2002 to 31.8.2004; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 25.10.2010 to 14.3.2012; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 19.9.2012 to 5.8.2013; Parliamentary Library served from 17.10.2016 to 11.11.2020
• Joint Statutory: Corporations and Financial Services served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Australian Crime Commission served from 2.12.2004 to 12.9.2005; Intelligence and Security served as Deputy Chair from 7.3.2005 to 17.10.2007; Intelligence and Security served as Chair from 18.11.2010 to 11.12.2013; Intelligence and Security served as Deputy Chair from 12.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Intelligence and Security served from 15.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Intelligence and Security served as Deputy Chair from 4.7.2019 to 18.10.2021

Parliamentary party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party Caucus Committee on Security and Defence.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Party positions

• President of the Australian Labor Party Endeavour Hills Branch.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Public Office Selection Committee.

Personal

• Born: 1.12.1962, Adelaide, Australia
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Chief Executive Officer of the Anxiety Disorders Foundation of Australia from 1994 to 1996.
• Adviser to Senator J Collins from 1996 to 1999.

Electorate

• Name: Holt
• Location: The Division of Holt consists of part of the Casey City Council.
• Area: 266 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 106,812 (at 5.6.2019)
• Industries: Light industry, retail, education and training, manufacturing, health care and construction.