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 JM Ferris (deceased) (term ended 30.6.2008). Elected 2007 (term began 1.7.2008) 2013 and 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment from 18.9.13 to 23.12.14.
• Assistant Minister for Education and Training from 23.12.14 to 21.9.15.
• Minister for Education and Training from 21.9.15.

Committee service

• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Employment, Workplace Relations and Education from 9.5.07 to 20.6.07; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 9.5.07 to 11.2.08; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 12.2.08 to 14.5.09; Environment, Communications and the Arts: Legislation and References Committees from 14.5.09 to 2.2.10; Environment and Communications: Legislation and References Committees from 15.8.12 to 11.11.13.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 26.6.08 to 17.6.10.
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 20.6.07 to 12.9.12; Electoral Matters from 14.2.08 to 5.8.13; National Broadband Network from 3.3.11 to 5.8.13.
• Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation from 14.9.11 to 7.10.11; Broadcasting Legislation from 14.3.13 to 24.6.13.
• Senate Standing: Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 5.2.18; Procedure from 5.2.18; Selection of Bills from 5.2.18.

Parliamentary party positions

• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin from 8.12.09 to 18.9.13; Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action from 8.12.09 to 14.9.10; Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Environment from 14.9.10 to 18.9.13.
• Manager of Government Business in the Senate from 20.12.17.

Party positions

• President, Adelaide University Liberal Club 1993-94.
• Member, State Executive, Young Liberal Movement (SA) 1993-99; Patron, South Australian Young Liberal Movement (SA) 2005-07.
• Delegate, Liberal Party Federal Council 1999 and 2007.
• Member, Liberal Party State Executive (SA) 1998-2000, 2003-04 and 2005-07.
• Policy Coordinator, Liberal Party (SA) 1998-2000.
• Vice-President, Liberal Party (SA) 2003-04.
• Senior Vice-President, Liberal Party (SA) 2005-07.

Personal

• Born 14.6.1974, Adelaide, SA.
• Married.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• MBA (Adel).
• Electorate officer to Senator the Hon. Robert Hill 1995-97.
• Adviser to the Minister for Tourism, Employment and Youth (SA) 1997-2000.
• National Public Affairs Manager, Australian Hotels Association 2000-01.
• Chief of Staff, Minister for Tourism and Innovation (SA) 2001-02.
• Director, Winemakers' Federation of Australia 2002-07.