Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Gwydir, New South Wales at by-election 1989, vice the Hon. R Hunt (resigned). Re-elected 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004. Retired prior to general elections 2007.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Primary Industries and Energy from 11.3.1996 to 21.10.1998.
• Cabinet Minister from 11.3.1996 to 6.7.2005.
• Minister for Transport and Regional Development from 25.9.1997 to 9.10.1997.
• Minister for Transport and Regional Services from 21.10.1998 to 6.7.2005.
• Deputy Prime Minister from 20.7.1999 to 6.7.2005.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 16.8.1989 to 19.2.1990; Transport, Communications and Infrastructure served from 16.5.1990 to 8.2.1993; Aboriginal Affairs served from 16.5.1990 to 4.5.1992; Employment, Education and Training served from 16.5.1990 to 6.5.1992; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 4.5.1992 to 8.2.1993
• Joint Standing: Australian Capital Territory served from 1.6.1989 to 19.2.1990; Parliamentary Library served from 28.2.2006 to 17.10.2007

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Official visits to Taiwan, September 1996.
• Official visits to Italy, France and Belgium, November 1996.
• Official visits to USA, July 1997.
• Official visits to Japan, July-August 1997.
• Official visits to France, Italy, UK and Korea, March 1998.
• Parliamentary Delegate to the Australian Constitutional Convention, Canberra, February 1998.
• Official visits to Indonesia, February 1999.
• Official visits to South Pacific Forum, Palau, October 1999.
• Official visits to UK, July 2000.
• Official visits to China, April 2001.
• Official visits to New Zealand, July-August 2001.
• Official visits to UK, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Turkey, April 2002.
• Official visits to Samoa, June 2002.
• Official visits to New Zealand, August 2002.
• Official visits to Indonesia, October 2002.
• Official visits to Singapore, September 2003.
• Official visits to UK, Belgium and Denmark, February 2005.

Parliamentary party positions

• The Nationals. Served: 11.10.2003 to 17.10.2007
• National Party of Australia. Served: 15.04.1989 to 11.10.2003
• Shadow Minister for Primary Industry from 7.4.1993 to 11.3.1996.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 7.4.1993 to 11.3.1996.
• Deputy Leader of the Federal Parliamentary National Party from 23.3.1993 to 1.7.1999.
• Leader of the Federal Parliamentary National Party from 1.7.1999 to 11.10.2003.
• Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Nationals from 11.10.2003 to 23.6.2005.

Party positions

• Chair of the National Party Tambar Springs Branch (NSW) from 1984 to 1989.
• Chair of the Gwydir Federal Electorate Council (NSW) from 1986 to 1989.
• Member of the National Party of Australia Central Council (NSW) from 1986.
• Member of the National Party of Australia Central Executive (NSW) from 1987.

Personal

• Born: 14.11.1956, Sydney, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• MA (University of Sydney).
• Farmer and grazier.

Electorate

• Name: Gwydir
• Location: central northern New South Wales; it includes the towns of Aberdeen, Baradine, Boggabri, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coolah, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Gunnedah, Kandos, Mendooran, Moree, Mudgee, Narrabri, Quirindi, Rylstone, Scone, Walgett, Warialda, Wee Waa and Wellington.
• Area: 185,604 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 82,626 (at 9.10.2004)
• Industries: wool, beef, pork, wheat, cotton, oil seed crops, lucerne, fruit, vegetables, dairy cattle, horse, sheep and cattle studs, timber, coal and opal mining and wine growing.
• Includes: Gwydir includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Barwon, Bathurst, Dubbo, Murray-Darling, Orange, Tamworth and Upper Hunter.

Honours

• Appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia, 13.6.2022.