Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Deakin, Victoria, 2007. Re-elected 2010. Defeated at general elections 2013.

Parliamentary positions

• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 7.2.2012 to 5.8.2013.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Employment and Workplace Relations served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Industry, Science and Innovation served from 19.2.2008 to 19.7.2010; Education and Training served from 17.6.2009 to 19.7.2010; Education and Employment served from 25.10.2010 to 1.5.2013; Infrastructure and Communications served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Petitions served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Privileges and Members' Interests served from 25.10.2010 to 5.8.2013; Social Policy and Legal Affairs served from 7.2.2012 to 14.8.2012; Education and Employment served as Chair from 2.5.2013 to 5.8.2013
• Joint Standing: National Broadband Network served from 22.3.2011 to 5.8.2013; Treaties served from 6.2.2013 to 5.8.2013

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore, January 2010.
• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Cambodia, September 2011.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 24.11.2007 to 07.09.2013

Party positions

• Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (Vic.) from 1998.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Public Office Selection Committee from 2003.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party Industrial Affairs Policy Committee from 2003.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party Industrial Affairs Policy Committee from 2005 to 2006.
• President of the Australian Labor Party Ringwood Branch (Vic.), 2005.
• Secretary of the Australian Labor Party Ringwood Branch (Vic.) from 2006.

Personal

• Born: 21.2.1965, Box Hill, Australia
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Licenced Electrician.
• DipOH&S (CFMEU Training Unit, Melbourne).
• Union official.
• Campaign officer.

Electorate

• Name: Deakin
• Location: eastern Melbourne; it includes the suburbs of Bayswater North, Blackburn, Blackburn North, Blackburn South, Burwood East, Croydon, Croydon South, Forest Hill, Heathmont, Mitcham, Nunawading, Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringwood North and Vermont.
• Area: 61 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 87,744 (at 21.8.2010)
• Industries: light manufacturing, commercial and retail industries.
• Includes: Deakin includes parts of the Victorian Legislative Assembly electorates of Bayswater, Forest Hill, Kilsyth, Mitcham and Warrandyte.