Chosen by the Parliament of Tasmania on 30.8.2007 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. PH Calvert (resigned)(term ended 30.6.2008). Elected 2007 (term began 1.7.2008).

Senate Standing: Selection of Bills from 4.2.09 to 9.3.10 and from 9.5.12.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Finance and Public Administration from 10.9.07 to 11.2.08; Economics from 12.2.08 to 14.5.09; Economics: References Committee from 14.5.09 (Chair from 7.7.11) and Legislation Committee from 2.2.10.

Senate Select: State Government Financial Management from 14.2.08 to 18.9.08; Fuel and Energy from 26.6.08 to 30.8.10; Scrutiny of New Taxes from 30.9.10 to 1.11.11.

Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit from 26.8.08 to 2.2.10.

Joint Standing: Treaties from 14.2.08 to 30.6.08.

Joint Select: Cyber-Safety from 18.3.10; Constitutional Recognition of Local Government from 28.11.12.

Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate from 4.2.09.

Member, Federal Council, Liberal Party (Tas) 1997-2001.

State Campaign Director, Liberal Party (Tas) 1998-2000.

Honorary General Secretary, Liberal Party (Tas) 1998-2000.

Honorary State Treasurer, Liberal Party (Tas) 1997-98 and 2001-02.

President, Howrah Branch, Liberal Party (Tas) 2002-03 and from 2005.

Member, State Executive, Liberal Party (Tas) 1996-2000, 2001-02 and 2005-07.

Chair, Franklin Electorate Committee, Liberal Party (Tas) 2005-07.

Vice-President, Liberal Party (Tas) 2005-07.

Born 17.7.1965, Launceston, Tas.

Married.

BEc, LLB (Tas).

GradDipBus (Shipping)(Australian Maritime College).

Commercial and maritime lawyer 1992-95 and 1997-98.

Policy analyst 1995-97.

Political adviser 1998-2001.

Lawyer and company director 2001-07.