Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the Senate for Victoria 2004 (term began 1.7.2005). Defeated at general elections 2010 (term ended 30.6.2011).

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Selection of Bills from 9.5.07 to 30.6.11; Library from 16.9.08 to 30.6.11.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation Committee from 10.8.05 to 27.2.06.
• Senate Select: Fuel and Energy from 1.7.08 to 11.11.08.
• Joint Statutory: Australian Crime Commission from 1.9.08 to 25.11.10; Law Enforcement from 25.11.10 to 30.6.11; Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity from 14.5.09 to 30.6.11.
• Joint Standing: Parliamentary Library from 16.9.08 to 30.6.11; National Capital and External Territories from 25.10.10 to 30.6.11.
• Joint Select: Christmas Island Tragedy from 3.3.11 to 30.6.11.

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Brazil and Uruguay, June-July 2007.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, September-October 2008.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and USA, July 2006.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Ireland and Italy, June-July 2010.

Parliamentary party positions

• Federal Leader, Family First Party from 1.7.05 to 30.6.11.
• Family First Party Whip in the Senate from 9.5.07 to 30.6.11.

Party positions

• Director, Family First Party from 2004.

Personal

• Born 17.10.1960, Melbourne, Vic.
• Married.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• MBA (Monash), BE (RMIT).
• Engineer.
• Executive.

Local government service

• Councillor, Knox City Council.