Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Parkes, New South Wales, 2007. Re-elected 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022. Retired prior to general elections 2025.

Parliamentary positions

• Deputy Speaker from 30.8.2016 to 5.3.2018.
• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 30.7.2021 to 11.4.2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 5.3.2018 to 29.5.2019.
• Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government from 29.5.2019 to 6.2.2020.
• Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment from 29.5.2019 to 6.2.2020.
• Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government from 6.2.2020 to 2.7.2021.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Select: Regional Australia served from 11.3.2022 to 31.3.2022
• House of Representatives Standing: Health and Ageing served from 11.3.2008 to 3.2.2010; Publications served from 11.3.2008 to 19.7.2010; Selection served from 28.9.2010 to 9.2.2012; Health and Ageing served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Selection served from 13.3.2012 to 5.8.2013; Selection served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Appropriations and Administration served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Publications served as Chair from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Indigenous Affairs served from 25.9.2014 to 9.5.2016; Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022; Communications and the Arts served from 1.8.2022 to 28.3.2025; Health, Aged Care and Sport served from 1.8.2022 to 28.3.2025; Appropriations and Administration served from 1.8.2022 to 28.9.2022; Selection served from 1.8.2022 to 28.3.2025; Appropriations and Administration served as Deputy Chair from 28.9.2022 to 28.3.2025
• Joint Select: Constitutional Recognition of Local Government served from 26.11.2012 to 7.3.2013; Parliamentary Standards served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 22.2.2010 to 19.7.2010; National Capital and External Territories served from 14.9.2016 to 5.3.2018; National Capital and External Territories served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Statutory: Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 25.10.2010 to 9.5.2016; Public Works served from 11.3.2022 to 11.4.2022

Parliamentary party positions

• The Nationals. Served: 24.11.2007 to present
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Ageing and the Voluntary Sector from 6.12.2007 to 22.9.2008.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources and Conservation from 20.1.2009 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets from 8.12.2009 to 14.9.2010.
• Nationals Whip in the House of Representatives from 14.9.2010 to 11.4.2022.
• Nationals Chief Whip in the House of Representatives from 26.7.2022.

Personal

• Born: 3.2.1958, Sydney, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Farmer and grazier.

Local Government service

• Mayor, Gwydir Shire Council from 2004 to 2007.

Electorate

• Name: Parkes
• Location: Parkes covers an area from the Queensland border in the North including Unincorporated NSW, the City Councils of Broken Hill and Dubbo and the Shire Councils of Central Darling, Cobar, Lachlan, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Coonamble, Warren, Narromine, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle, Gunnedah and part of Gwydir. The main towns include Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Ivanhoe, Menindee, Moree, Narrabri, Nyngan, Tibooburra, Walgett, Warren and Wilcannia.
• Area: 393,413 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 109,513 (at 5.6.2019)
• Industries: Wool, beef, pork, wheat, cotton, oil seed crops, lucerne, fruit, vegetables, dairy cattle, horse, sheep and cattle studs, comprehensive agricultural support services, coal and opal mining, timber, wine growing, tourism, light engineering and construction industries.