Speeches Browse all speeches (Hansard) Biography Parliamentary service State: Elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Tamworth, 1991. Resigned 16.10.2001 to contest the House of Representatives division of New England, New South Wales.Federal: Elected to the House of Representatives for New England, New South Wales, 2001. Re-elected 2004, 2007 and 2010. Retired prior to general elections 2013. Parliamentary positions Member of the Speaker's Panel from 16.2.2012 to 5.8.2013. Committee service House of Representatives Standing: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry served from 20.3.2002 to 17.10.2007; Primary Industries and Resources served from 11.3.2008 to 19.7.2010; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Regional Australia served as Chair from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation served from 13.9.2011 to 7.10.2011; Constitutional Recognition of Local Government served from 26.11.2012 to 7.3.2013Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 25.5.2011 to 9.12.2011 Conferences, delegations and visits Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Republic of Korea, February-March 2010. Personal Born: 2.9.1950, Quirindi, AustraliaGender: MaleMarital Status: Married Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament BEc (University of New England).Farmer. State/Territory Government service Elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Tamworth, 1991. Resigned 16.10.2001 to contest the House of Representatives division of New England, New South Wales. Electorate Name: New EnglandLocation: northern New South Wales highlands; it includes the centres of Armidale, Barraba, Bundarra, Deepwater, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Guyra, Inverell, Manilla, Quirindi, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha, Werris Creek and parts of Delungra and Urbenville.Area: 59,344 Sq kmElectors enrolled: 99,677 (at 21.8.2010)Industries: cattle, sheep, grain, forestry, dairying, oats, maize, fruit, vegetables, tin-mining, bricks, trout hatchery, tourism, concrete pipe works, leather goods, tannery, gemstones, tobacco, lucerne, honey, grain processing, rubber industry, plaster works and concrete. The electorate also includes the University of New England. Includes: New England includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Lismore, Northern Tablelands, Oxley, Tamworth and Upper Hunter. Honours Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, 7.6.2020. Publications Windsor's way, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic., 2015.