Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for La Trobe, Victoria, 2004. Re-elected 2007. Defeated at general elections, 2010. Elected to the House of Representatives for La Trobe, Victoria, 2013. Re-elected 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Ministerial appointments

• Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs from 29.5.2019 to 23.5.2022.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Environment and Heritage served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts served from 11.3.2008 to 10.11.2008; Environment served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 14.9.2016 to 15.8.2017; Migration served as Chair from 14.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Migration served from 1.8.2022 to 7.9.2023
• Joint Statutory: Australian Crime Commission served from 1.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Australian Crime Commission served from 12.3.2008 to 12.3.2008; Australian Crime Commission served as Deputy Chair from 13.3.2008 to 23.2.2009; Australian Crime Commission served from 24.2.2009 to 19.7.2010; Law Enforcement served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016; Intelligence and Security served as Chair from 2.3.2016 to 9.5.2016; Intelligence and Security served from 15.9.2016 to 1.7.2019; Law Enforcement served from 1.8.2022 to present

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 09.10.2004 to 21.08.2010, 07.09.2013 to present
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Public Security from 22.9.2008 to 8.12.2009.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Security and Policing from 8.12.2009 to 25.3.2010.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Policing from 25.3.2010 to 3.5.2010.
• Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Security and Policing from 3.5.2010 to 14.9.2010.
• Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs from 5.6.2022.

Party positions

• Delegate to the Liberal Party State Council (Vic.) from 2000 to 2003.
• Vice-President of the Liberal Party Boronia/Dandenong Ranges Branch (Vic.) from 2002 to 2003.
• Convener of the Liberal Party La Trobe Federal Electorate Conference Fundraising Committee (Vic.), 2003.
• Delegate to the Liberal Party La Trobe Federal Electorate Conference Policy Assembly (Vic.), 2003.

Personal

• Born: 24.5.1968, Sutherland, Australia
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• GradDipInnovServMgt (RMIT University).
• MAppSc (RMIT University).
• Police officer (Vic.) from 1988 to 2004.
• Detective in the Organised Crime Squad from 1990 to 2000.
• Senior Sergeant in the Counter Terrorism Coordination Unit from 2003 to 2004.

Electorate

• Name: La Trobe
• Location: The Division of La Trobe consists of: part of the Cardinia Shire Council, part of the Casey City Council, and part of the Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
• Area: 748 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 110,721 (at 7.6.2019)
• Industries: Agriculture and horticulture, including dairy and beef farming and vegetable production, construction, education and training, retail and tourism.

Honours

• Received the Queen's Scout Award.
• Received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
• Awarded the Centenary Medal, 1.1.2001.