Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Groom, Queensland, 1998. Re-elected 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013. Retired prior to general elections 2016.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Small Business from 30.1.2001 to 26.11.2001.
• Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources from 26.11.2001 to 3.12.2007.
• Cabinet Minister from 26.11.2001 to 3.12.2007.
• Cabinet Minister from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Minister for Industry from 18.9.2013 to 23.12.2014.
• Minister for Industry and Science from 23.12.2014 to 21.9.2015.

Committee service

• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.3.2008 to 3.2.2010; Public Accounts and Audit from 13.10.2015 to 9.5.2016.
• House of Representatives Standing: Primary Industries and Regional Services from 8.12.1998 to 8.3.2001; Library from 8.12.1998 to 8.3.2001; Industry, Science and Resources from 22.6.2000 to 8.3.2001; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government from 3.2.2010 to 19.7.2010; Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts from 10.2.2010 to 19.7.2010.

Parliamentary party positions

• Member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 6.12.2007 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Trade from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water from 8.12.2009 to 25.3.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources from 25.3.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Personal

• Born 5.4.1955, Kingaroy, Australia
• Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Farmer
• President, Queensland Graingrowers Association
• President, Grains Council of Australia

Electorate

• 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
• Electors enrolled: 96926 (at 7.9.2013)
• 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.
• Electorate: Groom includes the Queensland Legislative Assembly electorates of Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South, and parts of Condamine, Lockyer, Nanango and Warrego.