Biography
- Parliamentary service
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- Elected to the House of Representatives for Groom, Queensland, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.
- Ministerial appointments
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- Minister for Small Business from 30.1.01 to 26.11.01.
- Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources from 26.11.01 to 3.12.07.
- Minister for Industry from 18.9.13 to 23.12.14.
- Minister for Industry and Science from 23.12.14 to 21.9.15.
- Committee service
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- House of Representatives Standing: Primary Industries and Regional Services from 8.12.98 to 8.3.01; Library from 8.12.98 to 8.3.01; Industry, Science and Resources from 22.6.00 to 8.3.01; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government from 3.2.10 to 19.7.10; Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts from 10.2.10 to 19.7.10.
- Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.3.08 to 3.2.10; Public Accounts and Audit from 13.10.15 to 9.5.16.
- Parliamentary party positions
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- Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 6.12.07 to 18.9.13. Shadow Minister for Trade from 6.12.07 to 22.9.08; Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources from 22.9.08 to 8.12.09 and from 25.3.10 to 18.9.13; Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water from 8.12.09 to 25.3.10.
- Personal
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- Born 5.4.1955 at Kingaroy, Qld.
- Married.
- Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament
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- Farmer.
- President, Queensland Graingrowers Association.
- President, Grains Council of Australia.
- Electorate
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Description: provincial.
Location: south-east Queensland, west of Brisbane; it includes the city of Toowoomba and the towns of Oakey and Pittsworth.
Area: 5594 sq km (approx.).
Electors enrolled: 96 926 (at 7.9.13).
Industries: agriculture, retailing, food processing, education, health and community services. Groom also includes the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey and the Army Signals Base at Cabarlah.
State electorates: Groom includes the Queensland Legislative Assembly electorates of Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South, and parts of Condamine, Lockyer, Nanango and Warrego.