Chosen by the Parliament of New South Wales on 17.9.1997 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice BK Childs (resigned) (term ended 30.6.2002). Elected 2001 (term began 1.7.2002). Retired prior to general elections 2007 (term ended 30.6.2008).

Temporary Chair of Committees from 9.8.99 to 12.2.02.

Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances from 23.9.97 to 23.6.98; Selection of Bills from 18.11.04 to 11.2.08.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Economics: References Committee from 23.9.97 to 9.11.98 and Legislation Committee from 10.3.99 to 11.2.02; Economics from 12.2.08 to 17.3.08; Employment, Education and Training: References Committee from 23.9.97 to 9.11.98; Finance and Public Administration: References Committee from 24.11.98 (Chair from 26.11.98) to 11.2.02 and from 18.11.04 to 1.7.05 and Legislation Committee from 18.11.04 to 1.7.05; Employment, Workplace Relations and Education: Legislation and References Committees from 13.2.02 (Chair, References Committee from 14.2.02) to 15.11.04 and from 1.7.05 to 11.9.06; Employment, Workplace Relations and Education from 11.9.06 to 11.2.08; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations from 12.2.08 to 17.3.08; Legal and Constitutional: References Committee from 23.9.97 to 9.11.98.

Senate Select: Lucas Heights Reactor from 17.8.00 to 24.5.01.

Joint Statutory: National Crime Authority from 8.12.98 to 21.3.02; Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity from 14.2.08 to 30.6.08.

Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 1.7.05 to 28.11.05.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands, April-May 2004.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and USA, July 2006.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to USA, December 2006.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism (Manufacturing Industry) from 25.11.01 to 8.12.03; Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research from 8.12.03 to 22.10.04.

Opposition Whip in the Senate from 22.10.04 to 3.12.07.

Chair, ALP Parliamentary Caucus 1998-2001.

Member, ALP National Executive 1986-2004.

Delegate, ALP National Conference from 1986.

Convener, National Economic Policy Committee from 1988.

ALP Junior Vice-President 1994-2000.

Member, Economic Planning and Advisory Council 1991-94.

Member, Telecommunications Industry Development Board 1991-96.

Vice-Chair, Australian Manufacturing Council 1991-96.

Council Member, National Investment Council 1993-96.

Born 18.2.1943, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Married.

State Secretary (Vic), Federal Shipwrights' Union 1970-76.

National President, Federal Shipwrights' Union 1974; Federal Secretary 1974-76.

Assistant National Secretary, Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union 1976-88.

National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union 1988-96.

Member, Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive 1989-97.

Senior Vice-President, Australian Council of Trade Unions 1993-97.