Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Hasluck, Western Australia, 2010. Re-elected 2013, 2016 and 2019. Defeated at general elections 2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Assistant Minister for Health from 30.9.2015 to 18.2.2016.
• Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care from 18.2.2016 to 24.1.2017.
• Minister for Aged Care from 24.1.2017 to 28.8.2018.
• Minister for Indigenous Health from 24.1.2017 to 29.5.2019.
• Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care from 28.8.2018 to 29.5.2019.
• Minister for Indigenous Australians from 29.5.2019 to 23.5.2022.
• Cabinet Minister from 29.5.2019 to 23.5.2022.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Health and Ageing served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Health served from 4.12.2013 to 12.10.2015; Procedure served as Chair from 7.9.2015 to 12.10.2015
• Joint Select: Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples served from 29.11.2012 to 3.12.2013; Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 25.6.2015
• Joint Statutory: Human Rights served as Deputy Chair from 14.3.2012 to 3.12.2013; Human Rights served from 4.12.2013 to 12.10.2015; Public Accounts and Audit served from 10.2.2015 to 12.10.2015

Party positions

• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Morley Branch, 1997.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party State Conference, 1997.
• Officeholder of the Liberal Party Cowan Division, 1997.
• Officeholder of the Liberal Party Perth Division, 1999.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party State Conference, 1999.

Other positions

• Justice of the Peace.
• Honorary Member of the Golden Key Society.
• Fellow of Edith Cowan University from 2005.

Personal

• Born: 4.8.1952, Bunbury, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Yes

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BEd (Churchlands College of Advanced Education).
• DipEd (Mt Lawley College of Advanced Education).
• DipT (Mt Lawley College of Advanced Education).
• THC ().
• Primary school teacher for the Department of Education (WA) from 1973 to 1986.
• Manager for Aboriginal Education at the Department of Education (WA) from 1996 to 1997.
• Relieving Executive Director for Education Services at the Department of Education (WA) from 1997 to 1998.
• Director of Aboriginal Education at the Department of Education (WA), 1998.
• Director of Swan Education District at the Department of Education (WA) from 1998 to 1999.
• Director of Aboriginal Education Policy, Strategic Planning and Operations at the Department of Education (WA) from 1999 to 2002.
• Professional Consultant in Strategic Planning, Policy Development and Coordination from 2002 to 2003.
• Director for Aboriginal Health at the Department of Health (NSW) from 2003 to 2007.
• Director for Aboriginal Health at the Department of Health (WA) from 2007 to 2010.

Electorate

• Name: Hasluck
• Location: Hasluck covers the Shires of Mundaring and Kalamunda (part), and the Cities of Gosnells (part) and Swan (part). It includes the suburbs of Bailup, Beckenham, Beechina, Bickley, Caversham, Forrestfield (part), Gidgegannup, Gorrie, Guildford, Hazelmere, Helena Valley, Jane Brook, Kalamunda, Kenwick, Lesmurdie, Maddington, Maida Vale, Malmalling, Middle Swan (part), Midland, Red Hill (part), Reservoir, Sawyers Valley, South Guildford (part), Stratton, The Lakes, Viveash, Walliston, Wattle Grove, and Wooroloo.
• Area: 1,192 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 98,624 (at 12.6.2019)
• Industries: Retail, transport and service industries, light industry, medical, construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

Honours

• Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, 11.06.1996.
• Awarded a Centenary Medal, 01.01.2001.
• Indigenous Education Warrior Award, World Indigenous People's Conference 2008.