Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Dawson, Queensland, 2010. Re-elected 2013, 2016 and 2019. Retired prior to general elections 2022 to contest election to the Senate for Queensland.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Social Policy and Legal Affairs served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Selection served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Publications served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Social Policy and Legal Affairs served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources served from 30.5.2018 to 11.4.2019
• Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation served from 13.9.2011 to 7.10.2011; Northern Australia served from 9.12.2013 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Standing: Parliamentary Library served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Northern Australia served from 23.7.2019 to 11.4.2022; Trade and Investment Growth served from 23.7.2019 to 24.7.2019; Trade and Investment Growth served as Chair from 25.7.2019 to 8.2.2022
• Joint Statutory: Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2022

Parliamentary party positions

• Nationals Whip in the House of Representatives from 17.10.2013 to 9.5.2016.
• Nationals Chief Whip in the House of Representatives from 30.8.2016 to 2.3.2017.

Party positions

• Member of the Nationals (Qld.) from 1993 to 2008.
• Member of the Young Nationals (Qld.) from 1993 to 2008.
• President of the Young Nationals (Qld.) from 2003 to 2004.
• Vice-President of the Nationals Mackay Zone (Qld.) from 2007 to 2008.
• Member of the Liberal National Party (Qld.) from 2008 to 2022.
• Secretary of the Liberal National Party Central Queensland Region from 2008 to 2009.

Personal

• Born 30.6.1978, Mackay, Australia
• Single

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BComms(Journ) (Central Queensland University).
• Printing factory worker, 2000.
• Journalist, 2000.
• Press secretary from 2001 to 2004.
• Councillor from 2004 to 2010.
• Newspaper editor and publisher from 2005 to 2008.

Local Government service

• Councillor, City of Mackay Council from 2004 to 2008.
• Councillor, Mackay Regional Council from 2008 to 2010.

Electorate

• Name: Dawson
• Location: The Division of Dawson consists of: part of the Burdekin Shire Council, part of the Mackay Regional Council, part of the Townsville City Council, and part of the Whitsunday Regional Council.
• Area: 14,630 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 105,248 (at 8.6.2019)
• Industries: Various small crops, prawn and fish farms, sugar growing and refining, beef cattle, coal mining related industries, abattoirs and tourism.