Biography

Parliamentary service

• Elected to the House of Representatives for Dawson, Queensland, 2007. Retired prior to general elections 2010.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Standing: Health and Ageing served from 19.2.2008 to 22.10.2009; Industry, Science and Innovation served from 19.2.2008 to 22.10.2009; Primary Industries and Resources served from 19.2.2008 to 22.10.2009; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government served from 17.6.2009 to 22.10.2009; Primary Industries and Resources served from 11.2.2010 to 19.7.2010; Employment and Workplace Relations served from 11.2.2010 to 19.7.2010

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, October 2009.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 24.11.2007 to 19.07.2010

Personal

• Born: 26.5.1959, Bromley-by-Bow, England
• Gender: Male

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• City & Guilds in Printing.
• BSc(Hons) (Open University).
• Printer and platemaker from 1976 to 1998.
• Professional photographer from 1993 to 1999.
• Medical centre financial director and owner from 1998 to 2007.

Local Government service

• Councillor, Mackay City Council from 2004 to 2007.
• Chair of Finance, Mackay City Council from 2004 to 2006.
• Chair of Water, Mackay City Council from 2006 to 2007.

Electorate

• Name: Dawson
• Location: central Queensland coast; it includes the city of Mackay and the towns of Airlie Beach, Ayr, Bowen, Home Hill, Proserpine, Walkerston and the Whitsunday Islands and the Lindeman Islands.
• Area: 18,052 Sq km
• Electors enrolled: 87,394 (at 24.11.2007)
• Industries: small crops, prawn and fish farms, sugar growing and refining, beef cattle, coal mining related industries, abattoirs and tourism.
• Includes: Dawson includes the Queensland Legislative Assembly electorates of Mackay, and parts of Burdekin, Mirani and Whitsunday.