In a report to the Parliament in 1915, the Joint Library Committee requested the publication of 'a Commonwealth Parliamentary Handbook, giving a short political biography of all Members of both Houses since the initiation of Federation, with portraits in most cases, particulars of every election in the same period, with other information likely to be useful'. The first edition of the Handbook, published later that year, had the title Biographical Handbook and Record of Elections for the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Since then a new edition has usually been published with each new Parliament.

The Parliamentary Handbook has developed into a comprehensive reference work on many aspects of the Commonwealth Parliament and the Australian political system. Since 1999, the full text of the Handbook has been available electronically, and updated regularly, on the Parliament's website at www.aph.gov.au and through Parlinfo Search.

This 32nd edition of the Parliamentary Handbook sets out detailed information about the 43rd Commonwealth Parliament. The parliamentary service and political careers of Senators and Members are presented, together with details of parliamentary committees and elections up to and including the August 2010 poll. The biographical information is correct as at 1 August 2011.

Roxanne Missingham Parliamentary Librarian Department of Parliamentary Services

Acknowledgments

This edition of the Parliamentary Handbook was compiled by staff of the Parliamentary Library, principally Martin Lumb, with assistance from Stephen Barber, Margaret Cazabon, Sophia Fernandes, Bobby Graham, Anthony Lewis, Rob Lundie, Joy McCann, Deirdre McKeown, Logan McLennan, Cathy Madden and Janet Wilson.

Others who have assisted the department include the Government Photographic Service (AUSPIC), the Australian Electoral Commission, Denny Neave, Diane Evans, Cathy McCullagh and Pat Kan (Big Sky Publishing).

Front cover photograph by Howard Moffat (AUSPIC) (not included in this online document). The concept was created by Peter Milne from The Electric Canvas.