Biography
- Parliamentary service
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- Elected to the House of Representatives for Mitchell, New South Wales, 1974. Re-elected 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004. Retired prior to general elections 2007.
- Parliamentary appointments
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- Member of the Advisory Council for Inter-Government Relations from 10.5.1983 to 21.2.1985.
- Ministerial appointments
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- Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 19.3.1981 to 5.3.1983.
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business from 18.7.1997 to 21.10.1998.
- Committee service
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- House of Representatives Select: Specific Learning Difficulties served from 14.11.1974 to 31.3.1976; Specific Learning Difficulties served as Chair from 1.4.1976 to 14.10.1976
- House of Representatives Standing: Community Affairs served from 8.10.1987 to 19.2.1990; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 15.6.1989 to 11.5.1993; Transport, Communications and Infrastructure served from 16.5.1990 to 8.2.1993; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served as Deputy Chair from 12.5.1993 to 29.1.1996; Selection served from 7.5.1996 to 18.7.1997; Procedure served from 29.5.1996 to 29.9.1997; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 8.12.1998 to 31.8.2004; Employment, Education and Workplace Relations served from 29.3.2001 to 8.10.2001; Industry, Science and Resources served from 29.3.2001 to 8.10.2001; Family and Community Affairs served from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Industry and Resources served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Family and Human Services served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Health and Ageing served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007
- Joint Select: Parliamentary Committee System served from 1.4.1976 to 26.5.1976
- Joint Statutory: Public Accounts served from 1.3.1978 to 26.3.1981; Public Accounts served from 5.5.1983 to 29.11.1985; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings served from 28.2.2006 to 17.10.2007
- Conferences, delegations and visits
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- Delegate to the Australian Political Exchange Council, South Korea, 2003.
- Parliamentary party positions
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- Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 18.05.1974 to 17.10.2007
- Shadow Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs from 9.9.1985 to 12.5.1989.
- Government Chief Whip in the House of Representatives from 11.3.1996 to 11.7.1997.
- Party positions
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- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Attorney-General, Justice and Customs.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Family and Human Services.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Health and Ageing.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Industry and Resources.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Trade and Foreign Affairs.
- Member of the Liberal Party Policy Committee on Treasury, Finance and Public Administration.
- President of the Liberal Party Dural-Arcadia Branch (NSW) from 1970 to 1974.
- Member of the Liberal Party State Council (NSW) from 1970.
- Personal
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- Born: 26.7.1937, Sydney, Australia
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Married
- Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament
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- CertAg (University of New South Wales).
- Orchardist.
- Company director.
- Electorate
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- Name: Mitchell
- Location: north-western outskirts of Sydney; it includes the suburbs of Annangrove, Baulkham Hills, Beaumont Hills, Bella Vista, Box Hill, Carlingford, Castle Hill, Crestwood, Dural, Glenhaven, Kellyville, Kenthurst, Maraylya, Nelson, Northmead, North Rocks, Rouse Hill and West Pennant Hills.
- Area: 182 Sq km
- Electors enrolled: 95,480 (at 9.10.2004)
- Industries: light engineering, food processing, information technology, pharmaceuticals, building, horticulture and general agriculture.
- Includes: Mitchell includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Baulkham Hills, Epping, Hawkesbury, The Hills and Riverstone.
- Honours
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- Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia, 8.6.2009.