Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Banks, New South Wales, 1990. Re-elected 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. Defeated at general elections 2013.

Parliamentary appointments

• Member of the National Library of Australia Council from 13.5.2008 to 12.5.2011.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 16.5.1990 to 11.5.1993; Procedure served from 12.5.1993 to 29.1.1996; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served as Chair from 12.5.1993 to 29.1.1996; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 30.1.1996 to 31.8.1998; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served as Deputy Chair from 29.5.1996 to 7.12.1998; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 8.12.1998 to 8.10.2001; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 20.3.2002 to 11.8.2003; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs served from 18.8.2003 to 31.8.2004; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 2.12.2004 to 19.7.2010; Privileges served from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Procedure served as Deputy Chair from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010
• Joint Select: Intelligence Services served from 28.6.2001 to 27.8.2001; Australia's Immigration Detention Network served as Chair from 16.6.2011 to 30.3.2012
• Joint Standing: Electoral Matters served from 16.5.1990 to 3.9.1995; Electoral Matters served as Chair from 4.9.1995 to 21.9.1995; Electoral Matters served from 22.9.1995 to 29.1.1996; Electoral Matters served from 26.6.2001 to 25.6.2002; Electoral Matters served from 19.8.2002 to 6.9.2005; Electoral Matters served as Chair from 18.2.2008 to 5.8.2013; Parliamentary Library served from 15.3.2010 to 5.8.2013
• Joint Statutory: National Crime Authority served from 16.5.1990 to 8.2.1993; Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund served from 18.6.1996 to 6.2.2001; Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Account served from 16.6.2005 to 23.3.2006; Intelligence and Security served from 12.3.2008 to 14.3.2012

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco, November-December 1993.
• Study tour, UK, November 1999.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to France, September 2001.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 24.03.1990 to 07.09.2013
• Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 20.3.1996 to 30.8.2000.
• Assistant to the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs on Arms Control from 20.3.1996 to 20.10.1998.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 20.3.1996 to 30.8.2000.
• Shadow Minister for Reconciliation from 20.10.1998 to 30.8.2000.
• Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs from 25.11.2001 to 2.7.2003.
• Shadow Minister for Heritage and Territories from 2.7.2003 to 8.12.2003.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 2.7.2003 to 22.10.2004.
• Shadow Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Local Government from 8.12.2003 to 22.10.2004.
• Chair of the Australian Labor Party Parliamentary Caucus from 22.10.2004 to 30.10.2012.

Party positions

• Member of the Australian Labor Party from 1974.
• Assistant Secretary of the Young Labor Council (NSW), 1978.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party Panania Branch (NSW) from 1980.
• Treasurer of the Australian Labor Party Panania Branch (NSW) from 1980.
• President of the Banks Federal Electorate Council (NSW) from 1987 to 1990.
• Vice-President of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) from 3.9.1999 to 26.5.2002.
• Trustee of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) from 26.5.2002 to 4.5.2008.

Other positions

• Founding Member and Assistant Secretary of the New South Wales Society of Labor Lawyers.
• President and Life Member of the Revesby Workers' Club Ltd.
• Patron of the Bankstown Sports Club.
• Patron of the Bankstown District Cricket Club.
• Representative on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1996 to 2000.

Personal

• Born: 26.11.1954, Belmore, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Single

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• BEc (University of Sydney).
• LLB (University of Sydney).
• Barrister.
• Public solicitor from 1979 to 1987.
• Public defender from 1987 to 1990.

Electorate

• Name: Banks
• Location: south western Sydney; it includes the suburbs of Allawah, Blakehurst, Connells Point, Hurstville, Hurstville Grove, South Hurstville, Kyle Bay, Lugarno, Mortdale, Oatley, Padstow Heights, Peakhurst, Peakhurst Heights, Penshurst and parts of Bankstown, Beverly Hills, Carlton, Kingsgrove, Narwee, Padstow, Punchbowl, Revesby and Riverwood.
• Area: 49 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 98,762 (at 21.8.2010)
• Industries: light manufacturing, commercial and service industries.
• Includes: Banks includes the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Oatley, and parts of East Hills, Kogarah and Lakemba.

Honours

• Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, 12.6.2017.