Biography

Parliamentary service

• Territory: Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 2004 to 2013.
• Federal: Elected to the Senate for the Australian Capital Territory 2013. Re-elected 2016 and 2019. Defeated at general elections 2022.

Parliamentary appointments

• Member of the National Library of Australia Council from 11.12.2013 to 10.11.2016.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 7.7.2014 to 9.5.2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs from 19.7.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation from 20.12.2017 to 28.8.2018.
• Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance from 28.8.2018 to 29.5.2019.
• Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters from 29.5.2019 to 22.12.2020.
• Minister for International Development and the Pacific from 22.12.2020 to 23.5.2022.

Committee service

• Joint Select: Australia Fund Establishment served from 29.10.2014 to 25.6.2015
• Joint Standing: National Capital and External Territories served from 2.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Parliamentary Library served as Joint Chair from 2.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 2.12.2013 to 9.5.2016
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation served from 13.11.2013 to 30.6.2014; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 13.11.2013 to 1.7.2014; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 13.11.2013 to 1.7.2014; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation served as Substitute member from 28.2.2014 to 28.2.2014; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Chair from 1.7.2014 to 9.5.2016; Community Affairs: References served from 1.7.2014 to 9.5.2016
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network served from 2.12.2013 to 1.7.2014; Health served from 26.6.2014 to 5.5.2016
• Senate Standing: Parliamentary Library served from 13.11.2013 to 1.12.2013; Regulations and Ordinances served from 13.11.2013 to 9.5.2016

Party positions

• Convener of the Liberal Party Policy Committee (ACT) from 2003 to 2004.

Personal

• Born: 27.3.1977, Canberra, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (Australian National University).
• LLB (Australian National University).
• GradCertPubAdmin (University of Canberra).
• GradDipLegPrac (Australian National University).
• Employed at Woolworths supermarkets from 1995 to 1998.
• Cleaner at Mackillop College, 1998.
• Legal Assistant at the Australian Fisheries Management Authority from 1998 to 1999.
• Policy Officer, Lawyer, Senior Lawyer at the Department of Transport and Regional Services from 2000 to 2004.

State/Territory Government service

• Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 2004 to 2013.
• Shadow Minister for Infrastructure from 2004 to 2007.
• Shadow Minister for Planning from 2004 to 2012.
• Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs from 2004 to 2007.
• Elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, 2004. Resigned 11.6.2013 to contest election to the Senate for the Australian Capital Territory.
• Shadow Minister for Corrections from 2006 to 2012.
• Parliamentary Leader of the Canberra Liberals from 2007 to 2013.
• Leader of the Opposition from December 2007 to June 2013.
• Shadow Minister for Education and Training, 2008.
• Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, 2008.
• Shadow Minister for Ageing from 2008 to 2012.
• Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change from 2008 to 2012.
• Shadow Minister for Housing Affordability from 2008 to 2012.
• Shadow Minister for Human Rights from 2008 to 2012.
• Shadow Minister for Transport Planning from 2008 to 2012.
• Shadow Attorney-General from 2012 to 2013.
• Shadow Minister for Cost of Living from 2012 to 2013.
• Shadow Minister for Police, Emergency Services, Corrections and Industrial Relations to 2012 to 2013.
• Shadow Minister for Utilities from 2012 to 2013.