Biography

Parliamentary service

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

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 18.7.2004 to 26.10.2004.
• Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 26.10.2004 to 6.7.2005.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 6.7.2005 to 27.1.2006.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs from 6.7.2005 to 27.1.2006.
• Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence from 27.1.2006 to 3.12.2007.
• Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 27.1.2006 to 3.12.2007.
• Minister for Small Business from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Cabinet Minister from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.

Committee service

• Joint Standing: National Disability Insurance Scheme from 13.10.2015 to 9.5.2016.
• Joint Select: Trade and Investment Growth from 22.2.2016 to 9.5.2016.
• House of Representatives Standing: Environment, Recreation and the Arts from 30.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Environment and Heritage from 8.12.1998 to 31.8.2004; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 17.2.2000 to 8.10.2001; Privileges from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Communications from 11.3.2008 to 3.2.2010; Economics from 3.2.2010 to 19.7.2010.

Parliamentary party positions

• Member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 6.12.2007 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Minister for Sustainable Development and Cities from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Minister for Small Business, Deregulation, Competition Policy and Sustainable Cities from 8.12.2009 to 14.9.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Party positions

• Member, Liberal Party from 1986
• Secretary and Committee Member, Flinders Electoral Committee 1988-94
• Delegate, State Assembly and Province Electoral Committee 1988-92
• Delegate, Liberal Party State Council (Vic) 1988-92

Personal

• Born 26.1.1966, Albury, Australia

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• B.Bus (RMIT)
• M.B.L (RMIT)
• Grad.Dip.Mgt (RMIT)
• Manager, Corporate Development, Shire of Hastings 1993-94
• Ministerial Adviser to the State Minister for Natural Resources, the Hon. CG Coleman, MLA (Vic) 1994-96
• Policy Adviser to the Federal Shadow Minister for the Environment, Senator CR Kemp 1995

Local government service

• Council Delegate, Mornington Peninsula Tourism from 1989 to 1994.
• Council Delegate, Peninsula Library Service from 1990 to 1994.

Electorate

• Description: Outer Metropolitan
• Location: south eastern outskirts of Melbourne; it includes the suburbs include Frankston, Frankston North, Frankston South, Langwarrin, Langwarrin South, Mt Eliza, Mornington and Seaford, and parts of Baxter and Skye.
• Area: 140 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 99004 (at 7.9.2013)
• Industries: light industry, commercial and retail.
• Electorate: Dunkley includes the Victorian Legislative Assembly electorate of Frankston, and parts of Carrum, Hastings and Mornington.