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. RL Woods (resigned) (term ended 30.6.2002). Elected 2001 (term began 1.7.2002), 2007, 2013 and 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Human Services from 18.9.13 to 21.9.15.
• Acting Minister for Defence Materiel and Science from 29.12.15 to 18.2.16.
• Minister for Defence from 21.9.15.

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Privileges from 30.9.97 to 11.11.13; Regulations and Ordinances from 7.5.97 to 8.6.00.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Legal and Constitutional: Legislation Committee from 24.11.98 (Chair from 25.11.98) to 11.9.06 and References Committee from 24.11.98 (Deputy Chair from 25.11.98) to 6.9.05; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 11.9.06 to 11.2.08; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation Committee from 3.9.97 to 11.9.06; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.9.06 to 11.2.08; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation Committee from 24.11.98 to 5.4.00 and References Committee from 26.11.98 to 30.6.99; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References Committee from 1.9.97 to 9.11.98; Economics: References Committee from 7.5.97 to 4.9.97; Community Affairs: References Committee from 4.9.97 to 3.12.98.
• Senate Select: Housing Affordability in Australia from 14.2.08 to 16.6.08.
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 30.6.99 to 17.10.07 and from 19.3.08 to 5.8.13.
• Joint Select: Republic Referendum from 21.6.99 to 9.8.99.

Parliamentary party positions

• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 6.12.07 to 22.9.08; Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Affairs from 22.9.08 to 8.12.09.
• Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 8.12.09 to 18.9.13. Shadow Minister for COAG from 8.12.09 to 18.9.13; and Modernising the Federation from 8.12.09 to 14.9.10; Shadow Minister for Indigenous Development and Employment from 14.9.10 to 18.9.13; Shadow Minister for Housing from 14.9.10 to 18.9.13.

Party positions

• President, Young Liberal Movement of Australia (NSW Division) 1987-88; Federal President 1989-91.
• Member, Liberal Party Constitution Standing Committee (NSW) 1989-96 (Chair 1990).
• Member, Liberal Party of Australia State Executive (NSW) 1991-97.
• Chair, Liberal Party Convention Committee (NSW) 1995.

Personal

• Born 29.7.1964, Sydney, NSW.
• Single.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA, LLB (UNSW).
• Political adviser 1987-95.
• Public affairs adviser 1995-97.