Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Grey, South Australia, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Member, Speaker's Panel from 9.3.10 to 9.5.16.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Industry, Science and Innovation from 11.3.08 to 19.7.10; Employment and Workplace Relations from 10.11.08 to 19.7.10; Education and Employment from 25.10.10 to 5.8.13; Agriculture and Industry from 4.12.13 to 9.5.16 (Chair from 9.12.14 to 9.5.16); Indigenous Affairs from 4.12.13 to 9.5.16; Communications and the Arts from 12.11.15 to 9.5.16; Agriculture and Water Resources from 14.9.16; Appropriations and Administration from 14.9.16; House from 14.9.16.
• Joint Standing: Migration from 25.10.10 to 5.8.13; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings from 14.9.16 to 15.9.16; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 14.9.16; Parliamentary Library from 10.10.16 (Chair from 10.10.16).
• House of Representatives Select: Regional Development and Decentralisation from 13.6.17 to 28.6.18; Intergenerational Welfare Dependence from 28.6.18.

Parliamentary party positions

• Government Whip from 30.8.2016.

Party positions

• Delegate, Liberal Party State Council (SA) from 1998.
• President, Liberal Party Grey Federal Electoral Council 2000-04.
• President, Liberal Party Giles State Electoral Council from 2005.
• President, Liberal Party Kimba Branch 1999-2004.

Personal

• Born 4.8.1956, Kimba, SA.
• Married.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Farmer.
• Chair, Kimba District Hospital 1988-95.
• Chair, Eyre Peninsula Hospitals Association 1992-95.
• Chair, Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation.

Electorate

• Description: rural.
• Location: a large electorate covering most of rural South Australia apart from south-east corner; it includes the centres of Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Roxby Downs, Coober Pedy, Port Pirie, Kadina, Maitland, Orroroo, Peterborough, Burra and Eudunda.
• Area: 904 881 sq km.
• Electors enrolled: 102 059 (at 2.7.16).
• Industries: lead smelting, steel industry, tourism, fishing, oil, gas, opals, iron ore, uranium, wheat, cattle, wool, forestry, salt, slate, aquaculture, copper and gypsum.