Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Wentworth, New South Wales, 2019. Defeated at general elections, 2022. Chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales on 30.11.2023 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice M Payne (resigned).

Committee service

• House of Representatives Select: Social Media and Online Safety served from 6.12.2021 to 15.3.2022
• House of Representatives Standing: Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Select: Implementation of the National Redress Scheme served from 10.2.2020 to 11.4.2022
• Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 23.7.2019 to 26.11.2019; Treaties served from 23.7.2019 to 28.7.2019; Treaties served as Chair from 29.7.2019 to 11.4.2022; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade served from 27.11.2019 to 11.4.2022; National Disability Insurance Scheme served from 4.12.2023 to present
• Joint Statutory: Law Enforcement served from 4.12.2023 to present
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs: Legislation served from 4.12.2023 to 18.3.2024; Community Affairs: References served from 4.12.2023 to 18.3.2024; Environment and Communications: Legislation served from 18.3.2024 to present; Environment and Communications: References served from 18.3.2024 to present; Finance and Public Administration: References served from 18.3.2024 to present
• Senate Select: Impact of Climate Risk on Insurance Premiums and Availability served from 16.5.2024 to present

Parliamentary party positions

• Liberal Party of Australia. Served: 18.05.2019 to 21.05.2022, 30.11.2023 to present

Party positions

• Liberal Party candidate for Wentworth (NSW), 2018.
• Liberal Party candidate for Wentworth (NSW), 2019.

Personal

• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• (MA) (University of Cambridge).
• (BA LLB(Hons)) (University of Cambridge).
• (MA(IR)) (Deakin University).
• Senior Civilian Adviser with the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville, PNG, 2000.
• Third Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby, PNG, from 2001 to 2003.
• Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. A Downer, from 2004 to 2006.
• Political Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington, USA, from 2006 to 2009.
• Assistant Secretary (International Division), Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2010 to 2012.
• Assistant Secretary (Africa Branch), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2012 to 2013.
• Australian Ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017.
• Director at Kelly + Partners from 2018 to 2019.
• Director & Partner at SWG Capital from 2022 to 2023.

Honours

• Awarded the Australian Service Medal, 2000.