Biography

Parliamentary service

• Territory: elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly 2004. Resigned 11.6.2013.
• Federal: elected to the Senate for the Australian Capital Territory, 2013 and 2016 (Territory Senators serve for the same term as the House of Representatives).

Parliamentary appointments

• Parliamentary Representative on the Council of the National Library of Australia from 11.12.13.

Parliamentary positions

• Temporary Chair of Committees from 7.7.14 to 9.5.16.

Ministerial appointments

• Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs from 19.7.16 to 20.12.17.
• Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation from 20.12.17.

Committee service

• Australian Capital Territory: Standing: Climate Change, Environment and Water from December 2008 to June 2013; Legal Affairs from September 2006 to February 2008 (Chair); Planning and Environment from December 2004 to February 2008 (Deputy Chair); Public Accounts from December 2012 to June 2013 (Chair).
• Select: Estimates 2005-06 (Chair, April-June 2005) and 2009-10 (Chair, April-June 2009).
• Federal: Senate Standing: Library from 13.11.13 to 9.5.16; Regulations and Ordinances from 13.11.13 to 9.5.16.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation Committee from 13.11.13 to 9.5.16 (Chair from 7.7.14 to 9.5.16) and References Committee from 1.7.14 to 9.5.16; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation and References Committees from 13.11.13 to 1.7.14.
• Senate Select: National Broadband Network from 2.12.13 to 1.7.14; Health from 1.7.14 to 9.5.16.
• Joint Standing: National Capital and External Territories from 2.12.13 to 9.5.16; National Disability Insurance Scheme from 2.12.13 to 9.5.16; Parliamentary Library from 2.12.13 to 9.5.16(Chair from 3.12.14 to 9.5.16)
• Joint Select: Australia Fund Establishment from 29.10.14 to 25.6.15.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Capital Territory: Parliamentary Leader, Canberra Liberals 2007-13.
• Leader of the Opposition (ACT), December 2007 to June 2013.
• Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry (ACT) 2004-13. Shadow Minister for Infrastructure 2004-07; Planning 2004-12; Youth Affairs 2004-07; Corrections 2006-12; Education and Training 2008; Indigenous Affairs 2008; Ageing 2008-12; Environment and Climate Change 2008-12; Housing Affordability 2008-12; Human Rights 2008-12; Transport Planning 2008-12; Shadow Attorney-General 2012-13; Shadow Minister for Cost of Living 2012-13; Police, Emergency Services, Corrections and Industrial Relations 2012-13; Utilities 2012-13.

Party positions

• Policy Convener, Canberra Liberals 2003-04.

Personal

• Born 27.3.1977, Canberra, ACT.
• Married.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA, LLB (ANU).
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ANU).
• Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (UC).
• Woolworths supermarkets 1995-98.
• Cleaner, Mackillop College 1998.
• Legal Assistant (casual), Australian Fisheries Management Authority 1998-99.
• Policy Officer, Lawyer, Senior Lawyer, Commonwealth Dept of Transport and Regional Services 2000-04.
• Member, ACT Legislative Assembly (see above) 2004-13.