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, 2016 and 2022.

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 to 23.5.2022.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs from 28.8.2018 to 23.5.2022.
• Minister for Women from 29.5.2019 to 23.5.2022.

Acting Ministries

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

Committee service

• Joint Select: Republic Referendum served from 21.6.1999 to 9.8.1999; Parliamentary Standards served from 1.8.2022 to 3.8.2022; Parliamentary Standards served as Deputy Chair from 4.8.2022 to present
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 30.6.1999 to 14.8.2007; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served as Chair from 15.8.2007 to 17.10.2007; Parliamentary Library served from 12.2.2008 to 14.2.2008; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 19.3.2008 to 5.8.2013; Electoral Matters served from 2.8.2022 to present
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Economics: References served from 7.5.1997 to 4.9.1997; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References served as Substitute member from 21.5.1997 to 21.5.1997; Finance and Public Administration: References served as Substitute member from 4.7.1997 to 4.7.1997; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References served from 1.9.1997 to 9.11.1998; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 3.9.1997 to 10.9.2006; Community Affairs: References served from 4.9.1997 to 3.12.1998; Finance and Public Administration: Legislation served as Substitute member from 20.11.1997 to 20.11.1997; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 24.11.1998 to 24.11.1998; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 24.11.1998 to 24.11.1998; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served from 24.11.1998 to 5.4.2000; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served as Chair from 25.11.1998 to 10.9.2006; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served as Deputy Chair from 25.11.1998 to 17.11.2004; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References served from 26.11.1998 to 30.6.1999; Community Affairs: References served as Substitute member from 3.12.1998 to 9.12.1998; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served as Substitute member from 24.9.1999 to 24.9.1999; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served as Substitute member from 28.4.2004 to 29.4.2004; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 18.11.2004 to 1.12.2004; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served as Deputy Chair from 2.12.2004 to 6.9.2005; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 11.9.2006 to 22.3.2007; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served as Chair from 11.9.2006 to 25.3.2007; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served as Chair from 23.3.2007 to 11.2.2008; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 26.3.2007 to 11.2.2008
• Senate Select: A Certain Maritime Incident served from 14.2.2002 to 11.3.2002; Housing Affordability in Australia served from 14.2.2008 to 20.2.2008; Housing Affordability in Australia served as Chair from 21.2.2008 to 16.6.2008
• Senate Standing: Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation served from 7.5.1997 to 8.6.2000; Privileges served from 30.9.1997 to 11.11.2013; Parliamentary Library served from 13.2.2008 to 14.2.2008

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.
• Shadow Cabinet Secretary from 5.6.2022.

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.