Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales on 9.4.1997 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. R Woods (resigned). Elected to the Senate for New South Wales 2001. Re-elected 2007 and 2013 and 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Human Services from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Minister for Defence from 21.9.2015 to 28.8.2018.
• Cabinet Minister from 21.9.2015.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs from 28.8.2018.
• Minister for Women from 29.5.2019.

Acting Ministries

• Acting Minister for Defence Materiel and Science from 29.12.2015 to 18.2.2016.

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation (formerly Regulations and Ordinances) from 7.5.1997 to 8.6.2000; Privileges from 30.9.1997 to 11.11.2013.
• Senate Select: Housing Affordability in Australia from 14.2.2008 to 16.6.2008.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Economics: References from 7.5.1997 to 4.9.1997; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References from 1.9.1997 to 9.11.1998; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation from 3.9.1997 to 11.9.2006; Community Affairs: References from 4.9.1997 to 3.12.1998; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation from 24.11.1998 to 5.4.2000; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 24.11.1998 to 11.9.2006 (Chair from 25.11.1998 to 11.9.2006); Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References from 24.11.1998 to 6.9.2005 (Deputy Chair from 25.11.1998 to 6.9.2005); Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References from 26.11.1998 to 30.6.1999; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 11.9.2006 to 11.2.2008; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.9.2006 to 11.2.2008.
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 30.6.1999 to 17.10.2007; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 19.3.2008 to 5.8.2013.
• Joint Select: Republic Referendum from 21.6.1999 to 9.8.1999.

Parliamentary party positions

• Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate from 23.8.2018 to 28.8.2018.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Affairs from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Minister for COAG from 8.12.2009 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Modernising the Federation from 8.12.2009 to 14.9.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Indigenous Development and Employment from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Housing from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Party positions

• President of the Young Liberal Movement (NSW) from 1987 to 1988.
• President of the National Young Liberal Movement from 1989 to 1991.
• Member of the Liberal Party Constitution Standing Committee (NSW) from 1989 to 1996.
• Chair of the Liberal Party Constitution Standing Committee (NSW), 1990.
• Member of the Liberal Party State Executive (NSW) from 1991 to 1997.
• Chair of the Liberal Party Convention Committee (NSW), 1995.

Personal

• Born 29.7.1964, Sydney, Australia
• Single

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (University of New South Wales).
• LLB (University of New South Wales).
• Political adviser from 1987 to 1995.
• Public affairs adviser from 1995 to 1997.