Elected to the Senate for Tasmania 2004 (term began 1.7.2005) and 2010.

Temporary Chair of Committees from 26.6.08 to 15.6.09.

Deputy President of the Senate from 4.7.11.

Chairman of Committees from 4.7.11.

Senate Standing: Selection of Bills from 12.9.06 to 4.7.11; Scrutiny of Bills from 23.3.07 to 11.2.08; Appropriations and Staffing from 9.5.07; House from 9.5.07; Procedure from 20.6.07; Senators' Interests from 4.2.09 to 12.5.09; Publications from 12.3.08.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 11.9.06 to 12.2.07; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 12.2.08 to 24.11.08; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 8.2.07 to 11.2.08; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation Committee from 11.3.10 to 1.7.11 and References Committee from 11.3.10 to 18.8.11; Finance and Public Administration from 24.11.08 to 14.5.09; Finance and Public Administration: References Committee from 14.5.09 to 11.3.10.

Senate Select: Men's Health from 25.11.08 to 4.12.08.

Joint Statutory: Public Works from 11.8.05 to 17.10.07; Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity from 23.3.07 to 4.7.11; Australian Crime Commission from 9.5.07 to 25.11.10; Law Enforcement from 25.11.10; Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings from 9.5.07 to 11.3.08 and from 25.9.08.

Joint Standing: Migration from 1.7.05 to 17.10.07; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 1.7.11.

Joint Select: Cyber-Safety from 1.7.11.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway, April-May 2006.

Member, ACC Delegation to Canada, USA, Italy, Austria, UK and the Netherlands, April-May 2009.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore and Indonesia, July 2010.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Timor-Leste, March 2012.

Deputy Government Whip in the Senate from 11.9.06 to 21.4.07.

Government Whip in the Senate from 21.4.07 to 3.12.07.

Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate from 3.12.07 to 4.7.11.

Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate from 16.2.09 to 14.9.10.

Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate from 14.9.10 to 4.7.11.

Member, Liberal Party from 1980.

President, Liberal Party Cradle Coast Branch 1999-2005.

Chair, Liberal Party Braddon Federal Electorate 2000-02.

Member, Liberal Party State Executive (Tas) 2000-02.

Federal Delegate, Liberal Party 2004-05.

Director, Braddon Business Centre 1999-2005.

President, Burnie Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2000-04.

Director, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2000-05.

Born 31.10.1960, Burnie, Tas.

Married.

Graduation Certificate, Tasmania Police Academy.

Certificate in Mortuary Science, Australian College of Funeral Service.

Master Funeral Director, Australian College of Funeral Service.

Police officer 1977-86; Detective 1983-86.

Funeral director 1986-2004.