Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of South Australia on 3.5.2007 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice J Ferris (deceased). Elected to the Senate for South Australia 2007. Re-elected 2013 and 2016 and 2022. Resigned 28.1.2025.

Parliamentary appointments

• President of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 30.10.2020 to 23.5.2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment from 18.9.2013 to 23.12.2014.
• Assistant Minister for Education and Training from 23.12.2014 to 21.9.2015.
• Minister for Education and Training from 21.9.2015 to 28.8.2018.
• Cabinet Minister from 21.9.2015 to 23.5.2022.
• Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 28.8.2018 to 22.12.2020.
• Minister for Finance from 30.10.2020 to 23.5.2022.
• Vice-President of the Executive Council from 30.10.2020 to 23.5.2022.

Committee service

• Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation served from 14.9.2011 to 7.10.2011; Broadcasting Legislation served from 14.3.2013 to 24.6.2013
• Joint Standing: Treaties served from 20.6.2007 to 11.9.2011; Electoral Matters served from 14.2.2008 to 5.8.2013; National Broadband Network served from 3.3.2011 to 5.8.2013; Treaties served as Deputy Chair from 12.9.2011 to 12.9.2012
• Joint Statutory: Intelligence and Security served from 6.9.2022 to 28.1.2025
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts served from 9.5.2007 to 11.2.2008; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations served from 9.5.2007 to 20.6.2007; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations served as Substitute member from 25.6.2007 to 26.6.2007; Environment, Communications and the Arts served from 12.2.2008 to 13.5.2009; Environment, Communications and the Arts: Legislation served from 14.5.2009 to 2.2.2010; Environment, Communications and the Arts: References served as Chair from 14.5.2009 to 2.2.2010; Environment, Communications and the Arts: References served as Substitute member from 22.2.2010 to 27.9.2010; Environment and Communications: Legislation served from 15.8.2012 to 11.11.2013; Environment and Communications: References served from 15.8.2012 to 12.9.2012; Environment and Communications: References served as Chair from 13.9.2012 to 11.11.2013
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network served from 26.6.2008 to 17.6.2010; Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements served from 6.9.2023 to 9.10.2023
• Senate Standing: Appropriations, Staffing and Security served from 5.2.2018 to 28.8.2018; Selection of Bills served from 5.2.2018 to 10.9.2018; Procedure served from 5.2.2018 to 28.8.2018; Procedure served from 30.10.2020 to 28.1.2025; Appropriations, Staffing and Security served from 30.10.2020 to 28.1.2025

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 03.05.2007 to 28.01.2025
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin from 8.12.2009 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action from 8.12.2009 to 14.9.2010.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Environment from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.
• Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 30.5.2022 to 25.1.2025.
• Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs from 5.6.2022 to 25.1.2025.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 5.6.2022 to 25.1.2025.
• Manager of Government Business in the Senate from 20.12.2017 to 23.8.2018.
• Leader of the Government in the Senate from 23.8.2018 to 28.8.2018.
• Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate from 28.8.2018 to 30.10.2020.
• Leader of the Government in the Senate from 30.10.2020 to 21.5.2022.

Party positions

• President of the Liberal Club (University of Adelaide) from 1993 to 1994.
• Member of the Young Liberal Movement State Executive (SA) from 1993 to 1999.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (SA) from 1998 to 2000.
• Policy Coordinator for the Liberal Party (SA) from 1998 to 2000.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council, 1999.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party (SA) from 2003 to 2004.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (SA) from 2003 to 2004.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (SA) from 2005 to 2007.
• Patron of the Young Liberal Movement (SA) from 2005 to 2007.
• Senior Vice-President of the Liberal Party (SA) from 2005 to 2007.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council, 2007.

Personal

• Born: 14.6.1974, Adelaide, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• MBA (University of Adelaide).
• Electorate officer to Senator the Hon. R Hill from 1995 to 1997.
• Adviser to the Minister for Tourism, Employment and Youth (SA) from 1997 to 2000.
• National Public Affairs Manager for the Australian Hotels Association from 2000 to 2001.
• Chief of Staff for the Minister for Tourism and Innovation (SA) from 2001 to 2002.
• Director of the Winemakers' Federation of Australia from 2002 to 2007.