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.

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.
• Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 28.8.2018.

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 5.2.2018 to 10.9.2018; Procedure from 5.2.2018 to 10.9.2018; Selection of Bills from 5.2.2018 to 10.9.2018.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 26.6.2008 to 17.6.2010.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Employment, Workplace Relations and Education from 9.5.2007 to 20.6.2007; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 9.5.2007 to 11.2.2008; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 12.2.2008 to 14.5.2009; Environment, Communications and the Arts: Legislation from 14.5.2009 to 2.2.2010; Environment, Communications and the Arts: References from 14.5.2009 to 2.2.2010; Environment and Communications: References from 15.8.2012 to 11.11.2013; Environment and Communications: Legislation from 15.8.2012 to 11.11.2013.
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 20.6.2007 to 12.9.2012; Electoral Matters from 14.2.2008 to 5.8.2013; National Broadband Network from 3.3.2011 to 5.8.2013.
• Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation from 14.9.2011 to 7.10.2011; Broadcasting Legislation from 14.3.2013 to 24.6.2013.

Parliamentary party positions

• 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.
• 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.

Party positions

• President of the Adelaide University Liberal Club 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 State Branch (SA) from 1998 to 2000.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council, 1999.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party State Branch (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 State Branch (SA) from 2005 to 2007.
• Senior Vice-President of the Liberal Party State Branch (SA) from 2005 to 2007.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party Federal Council, 2007.

Personal

• Born 14.6.1974, Adelaide, Australia
• Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• MBA (University of Adelaide)
• 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