Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of Western Australia on 2.5.2012 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice J Adams (deceased). Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 12.11.13 to 9.5.16

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Privileges from 13.11.2013 to 9.5.2016; House from 14.10.2015 to 9.5.2016; Procedure from 14.10.2015 to 9.5.2016; Procedure from 1.9.2016 to 10.9.2018; Privileges from 1.9.2016; Environment and Communications: References from 9.2.2017 to 21.3.2018 (Substitute member from 9.2.2017 to 21.3.2018); Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 22.6.2017; House from 10.9.2018; Selection of Bills from 10.9.2018.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 2.12.2013 to 4.2.2016; Abbott Government's Commission of Audit from 12.12.2013 to 19.6.2014; Abbott Government's Budget Cuts from 17.7.2014 to 11.8.2015; Scrutiny of Government Budget Measures from 11.8.2015 to 9.5.2016; Red Tape from 24.11.2016 to 17.8.2017; Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill from 1.12.2016; Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates from 1.12.2016; National Integrity Commission from 15.2.2017; Lending to Primary Production Customers from 22.6.2017 to 17.8.2017; Electric Vehicles from 27.6.2018.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation from 9.5.2012 to 4.2.2016; Community Affairs: References from 9.5.2012 to 1.7.2014; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation from 13.11.2013 to 23.2.2016; Finance and Public Administration: References from 13.11.2013 to 23.2.2016; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 12.10.2015 to 9.5.2016; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References from 12.10.2015 to 9.5.2016; Economics: Legislation from 23.2.2016 to 9.5.2016; Economics: References from 23.2.2016 to 9.5.2016; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation from 1.9.2016; Community Affairs: Legislation from 1.9.2016; Economics: References from 3.4.2017 to 3.4.2017 (Substitute member from 3.4.2017 to 3.4.2017).
• Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 9.5.2012 to 9.5.2016; Human Rights from 20.8.2012 to 9.5.2016 (Chair from 11.2.2014 to 18.3.2015); Public Works from 2.3.2015 to 9.5.2016 (Chair from 4.3.2015 to 9.5.2016); Public Works from 12.9.2016 to 22.3.2018; Public Accounts and Audit from 12.9.2016 (Chair from 12.9.2016).
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 9.5.2012 to 1.7.2014; National Broadband Network from 10.9.2012 to 5.8.2013; National Disability Insurance Scheme from 2.12.2013 to 1.7.2014; Northern Australia from 12.9.2016; National Broadband Network from 15.9.2016; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 22.6.2017 (Chair from 16.10.2018 to 24.10.2018).
• Joint Select: Northern Australia from 1.7.2014 to 9.5.2016; Trade and Investment Growth from 25.9.2014 to 9.5.2016.

Parliamentary party positions

• Deputy Government Whip from 13.10.2015 to 9.5.2016.
• Deputy Government Whip from 30.8.2016.

Party positions

• Member, Liberal Party of Australia (WA) from 1987
• State President, Young Liberal Movement of Australia (WA) 1990-91
• Member, Federal Executive, Young Liberal Movement of Australia 1990-91
• Delegate to State Council (WA) 1990-94
• Delegate to State Council (WA) 2007-17
• Member, State Executive (WA) 2007-12
• State Treasurer, Liberal Party of Australia (WA) 2008-12
• Member, State Management Executive (WA) 2008-12
• Delegate, Federal Council, Liberal Party of Australia 2008-12
• Patron, Young Liberal Movement of Australia from 2013
• Vice-Patron, Young Liberal Movement of Australia (WA) from 2013

Personal

• Born 15.5.1969, Perth, Australia.
• Single

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA(Hons)(UWA)
• Graduate Diploma, Financial Services, ANZIIF
• Manager, Parliamentary and Policy, Federal Secretariat, Liberal Party of Australia 1996-98
• Principal Policy Adviser, Office of the Premier of Western Australia 1998-2001
• Senior Adviser, Office of the Prime Minister, September-October 1998
• Chief of Staff, Minister for Ageing 2001-02
• Special Adviser, Office of Minister for Justice and Customs 2002
• General Manager, Government Relations, IAG 2002-04
• Head, Insurance Strategy, IAG 2004-05
• General Manager, Government Affairs, SingTel Optus 2005-09
• Owner, Smith&Duda Consulting 2011-12

Honours

• Distinguished Service Award, Liberal Party of Australia 2011