Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of Victoria on 28.4.1993 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. JN Button (resigned) (term ended 30.6.1993).
• Elected 1993 (term began 1.7.1993), 1998, 2004, 2010 and 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research from 3.12.07 to 14.12.11 and from 1.7.13 to 18.9.13.
• Minister for Manufacturing from 14.12.11 to 5.3.12.
• Minister for Defence Materiel from 14.12.11 to 5.3.12.
• Minister for Human Services from 5.3.12 to 25.3.13.
• Minister for Higher Education from 1.7.13 to 18.9.13.

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Scrutiny of Bills from 18.5.93 to 12.5.94; Procedure from 2.5.96 to 11.2.02; Regulations and Ordinances from 2.5.96 to 1.7.96; Publications from 12.3.98 to 23.6.98; House from 6.4.98 to 11.2.08; Substitute member, Economics References from 7.2.17; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References from 7.2.17.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Employment, Education and Training from 18.5.93 to 10.10.94; Employment, Education and Training: References and Legislation Committees from 10.10.94 to 9.11.98; Employment, Workplace Relations, Small Business and Education: Legislation and References Committees from 24.11.98 to 11.2.02; Employment, Workplace Relations and Education: Legislation and References Committees from 11.3.02 to 15.11.04; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: Legislation Committee from 14.5.13 to 11.11.13; Finance and Public Administration from 27.5.93 to 10.10.94; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References and Legislation Committees from 10.10.94 to 2.3.95; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References Committee from 8.2.95 to 29.4.96 and from 24.9.97 to 30.12.97 and Legislation Committee from 8.2.95 to 29.4.96 (Chair from 8.2.95 to 29.4.96); Economics: References Committee from 19.3.14 to 24.3.14, from 1.7.14 to 14.5.15, from 21.3.18; substitute member Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on 24.10.17.
• Senate Select: Functions, Powers and Operation of the Australian Loan Council from 19.5.93 to 14.12.93; Certain Aspects of Foreign Ownership Decisions in relation to the Print Media from 14.12.93 to 30.3.95; Australian Broadcasting Corporation Management and Operations from 22.9.94 to 30.3.95; Administration of Indigenous Affairs from 18.11.04 to 8.3.05; Recent Allegations relating to Conditions and Circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru from 26.03.15 to 31.8.15.
• Senate Estimates: B from 6.5.93 to 10.10.94; A from 1.11.93 to 6.12.93; D from 7.11.93 to 14.11.93.
• Joint Statutory: Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Account from 1.12.04 to 7.9.05; Corporations and Financial Services from 14.5.13 to 5.8.13; Human Rights from 14.5.13 to 5.8.13; Public Accounts and Audit from 14.5.13 to 5.8.13.
• Joint Select: Certain Family Law Issues from 18.5.93 to 28.11.95; Broadcasting Legislation from 14.5.13 to 24.6.13; Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples from 14.5.13 to 5.8.13; Australia Fund Establishment from 4.9.14 to 25.6.15.
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 31.5.96 to 4.12.96 and from 14.5.13 to 5.8.13; National Capital and External Territories from 6.4.98 to 23.6.98, from 8.12.05 to 12.3.06 and from 28.3.06 to 8.2.07; Electoral Matters from 1.12.04 to 11.2.08; Gambling Reform from 14.5.13 to 24.6.13.

Parliamentary party positions

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 20.3.96 to 27.3.97.
• Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate from 30.4.1996 to 8.10.2001.
• Parliamentary Secretary representing Education and Youth Affairs in the Senate from 27.3.97 to 26.8.97.
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Education from 26.8.97 to 20.10.98.
• Parliamentary Secretary representing the Shadow Minister for Education in the Senate from 20.10.98 to 25.11.01.
• Shadow Minister for Science and Research from 25.11.01 to 26.10.04.
• Shadow Minister for the Public Service from 18.2.03 to 8.12.03.
• Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation from 2.7.03 to 26.10.04.
• Shadow Minister for Public Administration and Open Government from 26.10.04 to 24.6.05.
• Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation from 26.10.04 to 24.6.05.
• Shadow Minister for the Arts from 26.10.04 to 24.6.05.
• Shadow Minister for Housing and Urban Development from 24.6.05 to 10.12.06.
• Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories from 24.6.05 to 10.12.06.
• Shadow Minister for Industry from 10.12.06 to 3.12.07.
• Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Research from 10.12.06 to 3.12.07.
• Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Industry from 18.10.13 to 23.07.16.
• Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science from 18.10.13 to 23.07.16.
• Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research from 23.07.16.

Party positions

• Member, ALP from 1975.
• Former Member, ALP State Administrative Committee (Vic).
• Member, ALP National Executive.
• Delegate, ALP National Conference.

Personal

• Born 2.7.1955, Tumut, NSW.
• Married.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA(Hons), MA, DipEd (Melb).
• Teacher 1979-89 and 1992-93.
• Ministerial adviser and policy analyst.