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). (term ended 01.07.2016). Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2016. (term began 02.07.2016).

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 12.11.13 to 9.5.16

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Privileges from 13.11.2013 to 09.05.2016; House from 14.10.2015 to 09.05.2016; Procedure from 14.10.2015 to 09.05.2016; Procedure from 01.09.2016 to 10.09.2018; Privileges from 01.09.2016; Environment and Communications: References from 09.02.2017 to 21.03.2018 (Substitute member from 09.02.2017 to 21.03.2018); Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 22.06.2017; House from 10.09.2018; Selection of Bills from 10.09.2018.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 02.12.2013 to 04.02.2016; Abbott Government's Commission of Audit from 12.12.2013 to 19.06.2014; Abbott Government's Budget Cuts from 17.07.2014 to 11.08.2015; Scrutiny of Government Budget Measures from 11.08.2015 to 09.05.2016; Red Tape from 24.11.2016 to 17.08.2017; Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill from 01.12.2016; Funding for Research into Cancers with Low Survival Rates from 01.12.2016; National Integrity Commission from 15.02.2017; Lending to Primary Production Customers from 22.06.2017 to 17.08.2017; Electric Vehicles from 27.06.2018.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation from 09.05.2012 to 04.02.2016; Community Affairs: References from 09.05.2012 to 01.07.2014; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation from 13.11.2013 to 23.02.2016; Finance and Public Administration: References from 13.11.2013 to 23.02.2016; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 12.10.2015 to 09.05.2016; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References from 12.10.2015 to 09.05.2016; Economics: Legislation from 23.02.2016 to 09.05.2016; Economics: References from 23.02.2016 to 09.05.2016; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation from 01.09.2016; Community Affairs: Legislation from 01.09.2016; Economics: References from 03.04.2017 (Substitute member from 03.04.2017).
• Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 09.05.2012 to 09.05.2016; Human Rights from 20.08.2012 to 09.05.2016 (Chair from 11.02.2014 to 18.03.2015); Public Works from 02.03.2015 to 09.05.2016 (Chair from 04.03.2015 to 09.05.2016); Public Works from 12.09.2016 to 22.03.2018; Public Accounts and Audit from 12.09.2016 (Chair from 12.09.2016).
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 09.05.2012 to 01.07.2014; National Broadband Network from 10.09.2012 to 05.08.2013; National Disability Insurance Scheme from 02.12.2013 to 01.07.2014; Northern Australia from 12.09.2016; National Broadband Network from 15.09.2016; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 22.06.2017.
• Joint Select: Northern Australia from 01.07.2014 to 09.05.2016; Trade and Investment Growth from 25.09.2014 to 09.05.2016.

Parliamentary party positions

• Deputy Government Whip from 13.10.15 to 9.5.16
• Deputy Government Whip from 30.8.16

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 15.05.1969, 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