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). (term ended 30.06.2002). Elected to the Senate for New South Wales 2001. (term began 01.07.2002). 2007, 2013 and 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Human Services from 18.9.13 to 21.9.15
• Minister for Defence from 21.9.2015 to 28.8.2018
• Cabinet Minister from 21.09.2015
• Minister for Foreign Affairs from 28.8.2018

Committee service

• Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances from 07.05.1997 to 08.06.2000; Privileges from 30.09.1997 to 11.11.2013.
• Senate Select: Housing Affordability in Australia from 14.02.2008 to 16.06.2008.
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Economics: References from 07.05.1997 to 04.09.1997; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References from 01.09.1997 to 09.11.1998; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation from 03.09.1997 to 11.09.2006; Community Affairs: References from 04.09.1997 to 03.12.1998; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation from 24.11.1998 to 05.04.2000; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation from 24.11.1998 to 11.09.2006 (Chair from 25.11.1998 to 11.09.2006); Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References from 24.11.1998 to 06.09.2005 (Deputy Chair from 25.11.1998 to 06.09.2005); Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References from 26.11.1998 to 30.06.1999; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 11.09.2006 to 11.02.2008; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.09.2006 to 11.02.2008.
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 30.06.1999 to 17.10.2007; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 19.03.2008 to 05.08.2013.
• Joint Select: Republic Referendum from 21.06.1999 to 09.08.1999.

Parliamentary party positions

• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 6.12.07 to 22.9.08
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance from 22.9.08 to 8.12.09
• 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
• Shadow Minister for 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
• President, Young Liberal Movement of Australia 1989-91
• Member, Liberal Party Constitution Standing Committee (NSW) 1989-96
• Chair, Liberal Party Constitution Standing Committee (NSW) 1990
• Member, Liberal Party of Australia State Executive (NSW) 1991-97
• Chair, Liberal Party Convention Committee (NSW) 1995

Personal

• Born 29.07.1964, Sydney, Australia.
• Single

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• B.A (UNSW)
• LL.B (UNSW)
• Political adviser 1987-95
• Public affairs adviser 1995-97