Biography for SMITH, the Hon. Warwick LeslieMember for Bass (Tas) 1984-93 and 1996-98
Liberal Party of Australia
Parliamentary Service
Elected to the House of Representatives for Bass, Tasmania, 1984, 1987 and 1990. Defeated at general elections 1993. Re-elected 1996. Defeated at general elections 1998.
Ministerial Appointments
Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government from 11.3.96 to 9.10.97.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney 2000 Games from 7.5.96 to 9.10.97.
Minister for Family Services from 9.10.97 to 21.10.98.
Committee Service
House of Representatives Standing: Library from 19.3.85 to 22.12.89; Expenditure from 2.6.86 to 5.6.87; Privileges from 17.2.87 to 5.6.87; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 20.10.88 to 19.12.91; Aboriginal Affairs from 1.6.89 to 19.2.90.
House of Representatives Select: Print Media from 22.8.91 to 25.3.92.
Joint Select: Corporations Legislation from 2.11.88 to 13.4.89.
Conferences, Delegations and Visits
Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Singapore, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, July-August 1988.
Member, Fact Finding Visit to Canada, November 1989.
Official visits to USA, July-August 1996; Switzerland, France, UK and Ireland, August-September 1997; New Zealand, November 1997.
Parliamentary Party Positions
Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 14.8.87 to 16.9.88 and from 12.5.89 to 7.4.93. Spokesman on Science and Energy from 14.8.87 to 16.9.88; on Aboriginal Affairs from 12.5.89 to 11.4.90; on Privatisation from 11.4.90 to 25.2.91; on Communications from 25.2.91 to 7.4.93.
Manager of Opposition Business in the House from 23.5.92 to 8.2.93.
Party Positions
Various positions including Branch President, State Delegate and Constitutional Committee member.
Personal
Born 13.5.54 at Launceston, Tasmania.
Married.
Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal Parliament
LLB (Tas & ANU).
Solicitor.
Consultant.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
Electorate
Description: Provincial.
Location: North-east Tasmania; it includes the city of Launceston and the centres of Bridport, George Town and Scottsdale. It also includes Flinders Island.
Area: 7254 sq km (approx.).
Electors enrolled: 65 298 (at 5.2.96).
Industries: Farming, fishing, textiles, aluminium and ferrous metals, wool, meat, woodchips, timber, boat building, port facilities, brewery, wine production, education and tourism.
State electorates: Bass is co-extensive with the Tasmanian House of Assembly electorate of the same name.