Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Grey, South Australia, 2007. Re-elected 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022. Retired prior to general elections 2025.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 9.3.2010 to 19.7.2010.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Select: Regional Development and Decentralisation served from 13.6.2017 to 28.6.2018; Intergenerational Welfare Dependence served from 28.6.2018 to 2.4.2019; Regional Australia served from 11.3.2022 to 31.3.2022
• House of Representatives Standing: Industry, Science and Innovation served from 11.3.2008 to 19.7.2010; Employment and Workplace Relations served from 10.11.2008 to 19.7.2010; Education and Employment served as Deputy Chair from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Indigenous Affairs served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Agriculture and Industry served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Communications and the Arts served from 12.11.2015 to 9.5.2016; Appropriations and Administration served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; House served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Agriculture and Water Resources served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019; Selection served from 4.7.2019 to 28.3.2025; Social Policy and Legal Affairs served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022; Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport served from 5.2.2025 to 28.3.2025
• Joint Standing: Migration served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 14.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Parliamentary Library served as Joint Chair from 10.10.2016 to 22.7.2019; Trade and Investment Growth served from 23.7.2019 to 11.4.2022; Parliamentary Library served from 23.7.2019 to 28.3.2025
• Joint Statutory: Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 14.9.2016 to 15.9.2016; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 1.8.2022 to 28.3.2025

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 24.11.2007 to present
• Government Whip in the House of Representatives from 30.8.2016 to 11.4.2022.
• Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives from 26.7.2022 to 28.3.2025.

Party positions

• Delegate to the Liberal Party State Council (SA) from 1998.
• President of the Liberal Party Kimba Branch (SA) from 1999 to 2004.
• President of the Liberal Party Grey Federal Electorate Council (SA) from 2000 to 2004.
• President of the Liberal Party Giles State Electorate Council (SA) from 2005.

Personal

• Born: 4.8.1956, Kimba, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Farmer.
• Chair of the Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation.
• Chair of the Kimba District Hospital (SA) from 1988 to 1995.
• Chair of the Eyre Peninsula Hospitals Association from 1992 to 1995.

Electorate

• Name: Grey
• Location: The Division of Grey consists of: Adelaide Plains Council, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, City of Port Lincoln, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, Corporation of the City of Whyalla, District Councils of Barunga West, Ceduna, Cleve, Coober Pedy, Elliston, Franklin Harbour, Kimba, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Mount Remarkable, Orroroo Carrieton, Peterborough, Streaky Bay, Copper Coast and Tumby Bay, Flinders Ranges Council, Maralinga Tjarutja, Municipal Council of Roxby Downs, Northern Areas Council, Port Augusta City Council, Port Pirie Regional Council, Regional Council of Goyder, Wakefield Regional Council, Wudinna District Council, Yorke Peninsula Council, part of Light Regional Council, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, and Unincorporated Area Whyalla.
• Area: 908,595 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 119,949 (at 7.6.2019)
• Industries: Aquaculture, cattle, copper, fishing, gas, gypsum, iron ore, lead smelting, oil, opals, steel industry, salt, slate, tourism, uranium, viticulture, wheat and wool.