Appointed by the Governor of Victoria on 30.4.1996 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. GJ Evans, QC (resigned) (term ended 30.6.1999). Elected 1998 (term began 1.7.1999, 2004 and 2010.

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy from 3.12.07.

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity from 14.9.10.

Senate Standing: Selection of Bills from 2.5.96 to 9.11.98; Appropriations and Staffing from 4.2.13; Procedure from 4.2.13.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation and References Committees from 2.5.96 to 4.9.97; Economics: References Committee from 24.11.98 to 5.2.03; Finance and Public Administration: References Committee from 24.11.98 to 9.8.99 and Legislation Committee from 24.11.98 to 11.2.02; Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: Legislation Committee from 18.11.04 to 1.7.05 and References Committee from 18.11.04 to 9.2.06.

Senate Select: Superannuation from 29.5.96 to 9.11.98; Superannuation and Financial Services from 30.9.99 to 11.2.02; New Tax System from 26.11.98 to 30.4.99; Free Trade Agreement - Australia and the United States of America from 12.2.04 to 5.8.04.

Joint Statutory: National Crime Authority from 31.5.96 to 31.8.98; Corporations and Securities from 4.9.97 to 11.2.02; Corporations and Financial Services from 14.2.02 to 31.8.04; Public Accounts and Audit from 5.2.03 to 10.9.03.

Joint Standing: Electoral Matters from 31.5.96 to 27.11.97.

Bilateral visits to Canada and USA, October-November 1999.

Official visits to USA, February-March 2000; Thailand, April 2008; Republic of Korea and Singapore, June 2008; USA and UK, July-August 2008; Germany, February-March 2009; UK, Switzerland and Singapore, October 2009; New Zealand, November 2009; Egypt, November 2009; USA, January 2010; Switzerland and USA, July 2010; USA, September 2010; Mexico, October 2010; Japan and Singapore, October-November 2010; Israel, December 2010; Chile, April-May 2011; France, the Netherlands and UK, June 2011; UK and France, June-July 2011; France and Switzerland, October 2011; Hong Kong, November 2011.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to Mexico, September 2003.

Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate from 20.3.96 to 20.10.98.

Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 19.10.98 to 3.12.07. Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Regulation from 20.10.98 to 25.11.01; Shadow Minister for Finance, Small Business and Financial Services from 25.11.01 to 2.7.03; Shadow Minister for Trade and Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance, Financial Services and Small Business from 2.7.03 to 8.12.03; Shadow Minister for Trade, Corporate Governance and Financial Services from 8.12.03 to 26.10.04; Shadow Minister for Communications and Information Technology from 26.10.04 to 3.12.07.

Deputy Opposition Leader in the Senate from 22.11.01 to 3.12.07.

Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate from 3.12.07 to 4.2.13.

Leader of the Government in the Senate from 4.2.13.

Delegate, ALP State Conference (Vic).

Delegate, ALP National Conference.

Member, ALP National Executive from 1998.

Born 18.1.1963, Ely, UK.

Married.

BEc (ANU).

Superannuation Officer, Transport Workers' Union.

Research assistant.

Councillor, Footscray Council..