Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Gippsland, Victoria at by-election 2008, vice the Hon. P McGauran (resigned). Re-elected 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 30.7.2021 to 11.4.2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence from 18.9.2013 to 21.9.2015.
• Assistant Minister for Defence from 21.9.2015 to 18.2.2016.
• Minister for Infrastructure and Transport from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Cabinet Minister from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Cabinet Minister from 5.3.2018 to 28.8.2018.
• Minister for Veterans' Affairs from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.
• Minister for Defence Personnel from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC from 5.3.2018 to 29.5.2019.
• Cabinet Minister from 6.2.2020 to 2.7.2021.

Acting Ministries

• Acting Minister for Regional Development from 27.10.2017 to 20.12.2017.
• Acting Minister for Local Government and Territories from 27.10.2017 to 20.12.2017.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Select: Regional Development and Decentralisation served from 6.2.2018 to 7.2.2018; Regional Development and Decentralisation served as Chair from 8.2.2018 to 5.3.2018
• House of Representatives Standing: Petitions served from 26.8.2008 to 5.8.2013; Communications and the Arts served from 6.2.2018 to 11.4.2019; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 1.8.2022 to 22.3.2023; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 27.3.2023 to present
• Joint Select: Road Safety served as Chair from 26.8.2021 to 25.3.2022
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 2.6.2011 to 9.12.2011; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 6.2.2018 to 1.7.2019; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022; Electoral Matters served from 1.8.2022 to 22.3.2023; Electoral Matters served from 27.3.2023 to present
• Joint Statutory: Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity served from 26.8.2008 to 19.7.2010; Public Accounts and Audit served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022; Public Works served from 1.8.2022 to 4.8.2022; Parliamentary Standards served from 10.10.2024 to present

Parliamentary party positions

• The Nationals. Served: 28.06.2008 to present
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.
• Shadow Minister for Regional Education from 4.1.2023.
• Shadow Minister for Regional Development from 4.1.2023.
• Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories from 4.1.2023.
• Deputy Leader of the House from 18.2.2016 to 20.12.2017.
• Deputy Leader of the House from 5.3.2018 to 2.7.2021.

Party positions

• Councillor for the Nationals (Vic.) from 2002 to 2004.

Personal

• Born: 13.9.1967, Sale, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Newspaper and television journalist from 1986 to 1998.
• Self-employed marketing consultant from 1998 to 2002.
• Executive Officer of Champions of the Bush from 2002 to 2004.
• Chief of Staff to P Ryan, MLA (Vic.) from 2004 to 2008.

Electorate

• Name: Gippsland
• Location: The Division of Gippsland consists of: East Gippsland Shire Council, Wellington Shire Council, part of Baw Baw Shire Council, part of Latrobe City Council, and the unincorporated area of Gabo Island.
• Area: 33,182 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 110,538 (at 11.6.2019)
• Industries: Farming and agriculture, gas and electricity, mining, health care, retail, education and training, and correctional and defence services, tourism, forestry and fishing.