Speeches First speech Browse all speeches (Hansard) 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 Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 13.10.2015 to 9.5.2016. Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 11.3.2008 to 3.2.2010. House of Representatives Standing: Primary Industries and Regional Services from 8.12.1998 to 8.3.2001; Parliamentary 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 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. Other positions Deputy Chair of the Presiding Officers' Information Technology Advisory Group. Personal Born 5.4.1955, Kingaroy, AustraliaMarried Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament Farmer.President, Queensland Graingrowers Association.President, Grains Council of Australia. Electorate Name: GroomLocation: south-east Queensland, west of Brisbane; it includes the city of Toowoomba and the towns of Oakey and Pittsworth.Area: 5,594 Sq kmElectors enrolled: 96,926 (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. Includes: Groom includes the Queensland Legislative Assembly electorates of Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South, and parts of Condamine, Lockyer, Nanango and Warrego.