Biography

Parliamentary service

• Territory: Elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Arnhem, 1977. Resigned 1987 to contest election to the Senate for the Northern Territory.
• Federal: Elected to the Senate for the Northern Territory 1987. Re-elected 1990, 1993 and 1996. Resigned 30.3.1998.

Parliamentary appointments

• Member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Council from 20.10.1987 to 5.3.1990.
• Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 26.8.1997 to 30.3.1998.

Ministerial appointments

• Minister for Shipping from 4.4.1990 to 7.5.1990.
• Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia from 4.4.1990 to 27.5.1992.
• Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support from 7.5.1990 to 27.12.1991.
• Minister for Shipping and Aviation from 27.12.1991 to 27.5.1992.
• Cabinet Minister from 27.12.1991 to 11.3.1996.
• Minister for Transport and Communications from 19.5.1992 to 23.12.1993.
• Minister for Primary Industries and Energy from 23.12.1993 to 11.3.1996.

Committee service

• Joint Select: Video Material served from 26.10.1987 to 28.4.1988; Migration Regulations served from 14.6.1989 to 19.2.1990
• Joint Standing: National Capital and External Territories served from 5.3.1997 to 30.3.1998
• Senate Estimates: Estimates Group C served from 24.9.1987 to 7.5.1990; Estimates Group B served from 11.10.1989 to 12.10.1989
• Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Transport, Communications and Infrastructure served from 24.9.1987 to 1.12.1988; Legal and Constitutional Affairs served from 24.2.1988 to 7.5.1990; Environment, Recreation and the Arts served from 21.4.1988 to 7.5.1990; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 2.5.1996 to 29.5.1997; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 2.5.1996 to 29.5.1997
• Senate Select: Administration of Aboriginal Affairs served from 2.6.1988 to 28.2.1989; Legislation Procedures served from 31.8.1988 to 1.12.1988; Certain Aspects of the Airline Pilots' Dispute served from 25.10.1989 to 8.5.1990; Victorian Casino Inquiry served from 20.5.1996 to 5.12.1996
• Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances served from 24.9.1987 to 7.10.1987; Appropriations and Staffing served from 24.9.1987 to 7.5.1990; Regulations and Ordinances served as Chair from 8.10.1987 to 7.5.1990; House served from 4.9.1997 to 30.3.1998; Privileges served from 4.9.1997 to 3.3.1998

Conferences, delegations and visits

• Official visits to New Zealand, June 1991.
• Official visits to April 1992.
• Official visits to China, July 1994.
• Official visits to USA, June 1995.

Parliamentary party positions

• Australian Labor Party. Served: 11.07.1987 to 30.03.1998
• Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Northern Australia and Territories from 20.3.1996 to 27.3.1997.
• Shadow Cabinet Minister from 20.3.1996 to 26.8.1997.
• Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Territories from 27.3.1997 to 26.8.1997.

Party positions

• President of the Australian Labor Party (NT) from 1992 to 1993.

Personal

• Born: 8.2.1946, Newcastle, Australia
• Died: 21.9.2007, Larrakeyah
• Gender: Male
• Marital Status: Married

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Extension Officer at the Department of Agriculture (NT) from 1965 to 1970.
• Market gardener from 1970 to 1973.
• Technical officer in the Wildlife Research division, CSIRO from 1974 to 1977.

State/Territory Government service

• Elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Arnhem, 1977. Resigned 1987 to contest election to the Senate for the Northern Territory.
• Leader of the Labor Party, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1981 to 1986.
• Leader of the Opposition, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1981 to 1986.

Honours

• Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, 26.1.2004.

Publications

• Learning lessons: indigenous education in the Northern Territory, Eric Johnson lecture, Darwin: 1999.
• Kakadu region social impact study community report: report on initiatives, November 1998-November 2000, Parks Australia North, Darwin: 2000.