Chosen by the Parliament of Queensland on 19.4.2007 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. S Santoro (resigned)(term ended 30.6.2008). Elected 2007 (term began 1.7.2008).

Temporary Chair of Committees from 2.2.10.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Community Affairs from 9.5.07 to 14.5.09; Community Affairs: Legislation Committee from 14.5.09 to 1.7.11 and References Committees from 14.5.09; Finance and Public Administration from 9.5.07 to 20.6.07; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations from 12.2.08 to 30.6.08; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: References Committee from 24.11.10; Legal and Constitutional Affairs: Legislation and References Committees from 1.7.11.

Joint Statutory: Corporations and Financial Services from 14.2.08 to 19.7.10 and from 25.10.10; Public Accounts and Audit from 26.8.08 to 11.2.09; Australian Crime Commission from 11.2.09 to 25.10.10; Public Works from 20.9.11.

Joint Standing: Migration from 22.6.09 to 1.7.11.

Joint Select: State Government Financial Management from 1.7.08 to 18.9.08.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to New Zealand, April 2008.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Switzerland, Germany and Austria, October 2011.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Uganda, Kazakhstan and Hungary, March-April 2012.

Member, Liberal Party Grange Branch from 2001.

President, Liberal Women's Council (Qld) 2005-07.

Born 15.3.1951, Brisbane, Qld.

BA(Hons)(Monash), MBus (QUT), FAICD.

Journalist and public relations practitioner 1969-94.

Sales and marketing manager and director 1994-99.

Company director from 1992.