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). (term ended 30.06.2008). 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). (term began 03.05.2007). 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 21.9.2015 to 28.8.2018
• Cabinet Minister from 21.09.2015
• Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 28.8.2018

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 05.02.2018 to 10.09.2018; Procedure from 05.02.2018 to 10.09.2018; Selection of Bills from 05.02.2018 to 10.09.2018.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 26.06.2008 to 17.06.2010.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Employment, Workplace Relations and Education from 09.05.2007 to 20.06.2007; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 09.05.2007 to 11.02.2008; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 12.02.2008 to 14.05.2009; Environment, Communications and the Arts: Legislation from 14.05.2009 to 02.02.2010; Environment, Communications and the Arts: References from 14.05.2009 to 02.02.2010; Environment and Communications: References from 15.08.2012 to 11.11.2013; Environment and Communications: Legislation from 15.08.2012 to 11.11.2013.
• Joint Standing: Treaties from 20.06.2007 to 12.09.2012; Electoral Matters from 14.02.2008 to 05.08.2013; National Broadband Network from 03.03.2011 to 05.08.2013.
• Joint Select: Australia's Clean Energy Future Legislation from 14.09.2011 to 07.10.2011; Broadcasting Legislation from 14.03.2013 to 24.06.2013.

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 20.12.2017 to 28.8.2018
• Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate from 26.8.2018

Party positions

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

Personal

• Born 14.06.1974, Adelaide, Australia.
• Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• M.BA (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