Elected to the Senate for Queensland 1983 (term deemed to have begun 1.7.1982), 1984, 1987, 1990, 1996, 2001 and 2007.

Parliamentary Representative on the Council of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies from 19.9.89 to 5.3.90.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services from 20.7.99 to 7.10.03.

Senate Standing: Appropriations and Staffing from 2.5.96 to 11.2.08; Library from 2.5.96 to 1.7.02.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: National Resources from 21.4.83 to 5.6.87; Foreign Affairs and Defence from 1.7.85 to 5.6.87; Transport, Communications and Infrastructure from 24.9.87 to 11.9.90; Industry, Science and Technology from 17.9.90 to 18.5.93; Environment, Communications and the Arts from 15.10.08 to 14.5.09; Environment, Communications and the Arts: References Committee from 14.5.09 to 27.9.10; Environment and Communications: References Committee from 30.9.10 to 11.9.12 and from 20.9.12; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: References Committee from 20.9.12; Community Affairs: Legislation Committee from 1.11.12 to 22.11.12 and References Committee from 22.11.12.

Senate Select: Administration of Aboriginal Affairs from 2.6.88 to 28.2.89; Free Trade Agreement - Australia and the United States of America from 12.2.04 to 5.8.04; Climate Policy from 17.3.09 to 15.6.09.

Senate Estimates: C from 4.5.83 to 5.6.87; D from 6.9.89 to 24.8.90

Joint Statutory: Australian Security Intelligence Organization from 30.6.99 to 11.5.00.

Joint Standing: Electoral Matters from 30.6.99 to 7.9.00.

Joint Select: Retailing Sector from 10.12.98 to 30.8.99; Republic Referendum from 21.6.99 to 9.8.99.

Delegate, 27th South Pacific Conference, Noumea, October 1987.

Parliamentary Delegate to the Australian Constitutional Convention, Canberra, February 1998.

Official visits to Taiwan, November 1999 and September 2001; New Zealand, August 2002; USA, October-November 2002; Taiwan, October 2003.

Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 16.9.88 to 11.4.90 and from 7.4.93 to 9.12.94. Shadow Minister for Regional Development and External Territories from 16.9.88 to 11.4.90; Northern Australia and External Territories from 7.4.93 to 26.5.94; Consumer Affairs from 26.5.94 to 9.12.94.

Leader, National Party of Australia in the Senate from 10.4.90 to 11.10.03.

Leader, The Nationals in the Senate from 11.10.03 to 3.12.07.

Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate from 3.12.07 to 27.6.08.

Chair, National Party Wynnum Branch 1974.

Metropolitan Zone Vice-President 1976-83.

Member, National Party State Management Committee (Qld) 1976-83.

Central Councillor from 1976.

Born 9.12.1940, Perth, WA.

Married.

Manufacturer's agent.