Biography
Parliamentary Service Elected to the House of Representatives for Robertson, New South Wales, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004. Ministerial AppointmentsMinister for Local Government, Territories and Roads from 18.07.04 Committee ServiceHouse of Representatives Standing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 29.5.96; Family and Community Affairs from 12.5.98 to 31.8.98; Industry, Science and Resources from 8.12.98 to 8.10.01 (Chair from 2.9.99 to 17.2.00); Publications from 8.12.98 to 8.10.01; Selection from 26.3.01 to 11.8.04; Employment and Workplace Relations from 26.9.02 to 11.8.04. Joint Statutory: Public Works from 20.3.02 to 11.8.04. Conferences, Delegations and VisitsAttended Biennial Conference of the Pacific Community, French Polynesia, and bilateral visits to the Cook Islands and Tonga, November-December 1999. Parliamentary Party PositionsChief Government Whip from 23.11.01 to 18.07.04. Party PositionsMember, Liberal Party from 1983. Delegate, Liberal Party State Council (NSW) 1984. President, Liberal Party Berowra Branch 1992. Member, Liberal Party Gosford Branch from 1994. Other PositionsChair, IPU for Pacific Island Nations and Papua New Guinea from November 1998. PersonalBorn 17.7.1954, Sydney, NSW. Married. Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal ParliamentUSL Master Class IV (Brookvale Marine College). Justice of the Peace. Dairy products distributor 1973-85. Ferry master 1986. Cruise ship master and first officer 1987-92. Marina manager 1992. Service station proprietor 1993-95. ElectorateDescription: Provincial. Location: North of Sydney; it includes the centres of Avoca, Gosford, Kariong, Killcare, Mangrove Mountain, Terrigal and Woy Woy. Area: 785 sq km (approx.). Electors enrolled: 83 748 (at 10.11.01). Industries: Citrus and vegetable growing, poultry products, tourism, retail, service industries, light manufacturing and boat building. State electorates: Robertson includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Gosford and Peats.
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