Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Wannon, Victoria, 2010. Re-elected 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Defence Materiel from 18.2.2016 to 19.7.2016.
• Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Minister for Defence Personnel from 19.7.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security from 19.7.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Cabinet Minister from 20.12.2017 to 23.5.2022.
• Minister for Social Services from 20.12.2017 to 28.8.2018.
• Minister for Education from 28.8.2018 to 22.12.2020.
• Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 22.12.2020 to 23.5.2022.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Regional Australia served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Agriculture and Industry served from 4.12.2013 to 11.2.2016; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 21.10.2015 to 18.2.2016
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 2.6.2011 to 9.12.2011
• Joint Statutory: Human Rights served from 14.3.2012 to 5.8.2013; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 4.12.2013 to 2.3.2016; Intelligence and Security served as Chair from 12.12.2013 to 25.2.2016; Intelligence and Security served from 26.2.2016 to 2.3.2016

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 21.08.2010 to present
• Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship from 5.6.2022.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 5.6.2022.

Party positions

• Deputy Director of the Liberal Party (Vic.).

Personal

• Born: 27.1.1968, Melbourne, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BA(Hons) (University of Melbourne).
• MForAffTde (Monash University).
• MIR (Kent University, Canterbury, UK).
• Farm hand, 1986.
• Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 1995 to 1998.
• Diplomat from 1999 to 2001.
• Trade Adviser to the Minister for Trade from 2002 to 2005.
• Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister from 2005 to 2006.
• Chief of Staff to the Minister for Small Business and Tourism from 2006 to 2007.
• Director of Trade Policy and International Affairs at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2007 to 2008.
• Deputy Director of the Liberal Party (Vic.) from 2008 to 2009.

Electorate

• Name: Wannon
• Location: The Division of Wannon consists of: Ararat Rural City Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Warrnambool City Council, part of the Colac Otway Shire Council, part of the Golden Plains Shire Council, part of the Northern Grampians Shire Council, and part of the Pyrenees Shire Council.
• Area: 33,419 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 114,572 (at 6.6.2019)
• Industries: Agriculture and farming including dairy and beef, lamb and wool production, wineries, forestry, fishing, power generation and wind farms, aluminium smelting, mining, retail and tourism.