Biography

Parliamentary service

• Chosen by the Parliament of Tasmania on 22.2.1994 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice B Archer (resigned). Re-elected 1998, 2004, 2010 and 2016. Defeated at general elections 2022.

Parliamentary appointments

• Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 1.8.2019 to 30.6.2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence from 21.10.1998 to 30.1.2001.
• Special Minister of State from 30.1.2001 to 27.1.2006.
• Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation from 27.1.2006 to 3.12.2007.
• Minister for Employment from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Cabinet Minister from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.

Committee service

• Joint Select: Republic Referendum served from 21.6.1999 to 9.8.1999; Government Procurement served from 1.12.2016 to 29.6.2017
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 28.3.1995 to 3.9.1997; Treaties served from 31.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Trade and Investment Growth served from 12.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 10.9.2018 to 30.6.2022
• Joint Statutory: Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served as Chair from 31.5.1996 to 4.6.1997; Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served from 5.6.1997 to 8.2.2001; Law Enforcement served from 12.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Public Accounts and Audit served from 15.2.2017 to 1.7.2019; Intelligence and Security served from 7.2.2018 to 30.6.2022
• Senate Estimates: Estimates Group D served from 28.2.1994 to 12.5.1994; Estimates Group F served from 12.5.1994 to 9.10.1994
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Environment, Recreation and the Arts served from 1.3.1994 to 9.10.1994; Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts: References served from 10.10.1994 to 29.4.1996; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 10.10.1994 to 17.10.1994; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: References served from 10.10.1994 to 9.11.1998; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 30.5.1995 to 7.6.1995; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 6.11.1995 to 6.11.1995; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served from 8.5.1996 to 2.3.1997; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation served as Chair from 3.3.1997 to 9.11.1998; Employment, Education and Training: Legislation served as Substitute member from 1.10.1997 to 1.10.1997; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation served as Substitute member from 17.2.1999 to 17.2.1999; Community Affairs: Legislation served as Substitute member from 24.5.1999 to 28.5.1999; Employment, Workplace Relations, Small Business and Education: Legislation served as Substitute member from 7.6.1999 to 9.6.1999; Economics: Legislation served as Substitute member from 17.6.2009 to 23.6.2009; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 4.2.2016 to 9.5.2016; Environment and Communications: Legislation served from 4.2.2016 to 15.3.2016; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served from 1.9.2016 to 13.2.2019; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 1.9.2016 to 12.2.2018; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served from 10.9.2018 to 1.7.2019; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Chair from 25.2.2019 to 30.6.2022; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References served as Deputy Chair from 3.7.2019 to 30.6.2022
• Senate Select: Unresolved Whistleblower Cases served from 1.12.1994 to 26.10.1995; Victorian Casino Inquiry served from 20.5.1996 to 5.12.1996; Scrutiny of Government Budget Measures served from 23.2.2016 to 15.3.2016; Establishment of a National Integrity Commission served from 29.2.2016 to 9.5.2016; Charity Fundraising in the 21st Century served from 27.6.2018 to 14.2.2019; Administration of Sports Grants served from 5.2.2020 to 18.3.2021
• Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances served from 24.2.1994 to 29.4.1996; Senators' Interests served from 24.3.1994 to 8.2.2001; Selection of Bills served from 20.3.2007 to 11.2.2008; Procedure served from 20.6.2007 to 11.2.2008; Procedure served from 3.2.2009 to 9.5.2016; Appropriations and Staffing served from 3.5.2010 to 11.11.2013; Appropriations, Staffing and Security served from 12.11.2013 to 21.9.2015; Privileges served from 4.2.2016 to 9.5.2016; Privileges served from 1.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Senators' Interests served from 12.9.2016 to 28.11.2016; Privileges served as Deputy Chair from 4.7.2019 to 30.6.2022

Parliamentary party positions

• Manager of Government Business in the Senate from 9.3.2007 to 17.10.2007.
• Leader of the Government in the Senate from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 6.12.2007 to 3.5.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research from 6.12.2007 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations from 8.12.2009 to 18.9.2013.
• Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 3.5.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Party positions

• President of the Australian Liberal Students' Federation, 1978.
• State President of the Liberal Party (Tas.) from 1990 to 1994.

Personal

• Born: 25.1.1958, Stuttgart, Germany
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Widower

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA (University of Tasmania).
• LLB (University of Tasmania).
• Barrister and solicitor.