Elected to the Senate for South Australia 2001. Re-elected 2007, 2013 and 2016.

Minister for Climate Change and Water from 3.12.2007 to 8.3.2010.

Cabinet Minister from 3.12.2007 to 18.9.2013.

Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water from 8.3.2010 to 14.9.2010.

Minister for Finance and Deregulation from 14.9.2010 to 18.9.2013.

Senate Standing: Parliamentary Library (formerly Library) from 1.7.2002 to 15.11.2004; Senators' Interests from 1.7.2002 to 15.11.2004; Appropriations and Staffing from 26.6.2013 to 9.5.2016; Procedure from 26.6.2013 to 9.5.2016; Procedure from 1.9.2016; Appropriations, Staffing and Security from 1.9.2016.

Senate Select: Superannuation from 10.12.2002 to 10.9.2003; Ministerial Discretion in Migration Matters from 23.6.2003 to 31.3.2004.

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References from 1.7.2002 to 15.11.2004; Finance and Public Administration: References from 1.7.2002 to 1.3.2004; Economics: References from 1.3.2004 to 15.11.2004; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: Legislation from 18.11.2004 to 1.7.2005.

Joint Statutory: Corporations and Financial Services from 1.7.2002 to 17.10.2007; Intelligence and Security from 16.7.2014 to 25.11.2014; Intelligence and Security from 25.6.2015 to 9.5.2016; Intelligence and Security from 13.9.2016.

Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate from 4.2.2013 to 26.6.2013.

Leader of the Government in the Senate from 26.6.2013 to 18.9.2013.

Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility from 21.10.2004 to 3.12.2007.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation from 26.10.2004 to 10.12.2006.

Shadow Minister for Public Administration and Accountability from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Shadow Minister for Workforce Participation from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 18.9.2013 to 9.5.2016.

Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment from 18.10.2013 to 23.7.2016.

Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs from 23.7.2016.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from 23.7.2016.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (SA) from 1989 to 1994.

Deputy Convener of the Australian Labor Party State Platform Committee (SA) from 1990 to 1994.

Member of the Australian Labor Party State Executive (SA) from 1996 to 1999.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (SA) from 1996.

Convener of the Australian Labor Party Ethnic Policy Network from 1998 to 1999.

Member of the Australian Labor Party National Policy Committee on Industry, Infrastructure and Regional Development from 1998 to 2000.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference from 2000.

Spokesperson for the Australian Labor Party National Election Campaign, 2007.

Spokesperson for the Australian Labor Party National Election Campaign, 2013.

Spokesperson for the Australian Labor Party National Election Campaign, 2016.

Member of the South Australian Law Society Human Rights Committee from 1998 to 2002.

Chair of the UNIFEM Adelaide Breakfast Committee from 1999 to 2001.

Born 5.11.1968, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

BA(Juris) (University of Adelaide).

LLB(Hons) (University of Adelaide).

GradDipLegPrac (University of South Australia).

Industrial officer 1990-94.

Senior Policy Adviser to the Minister for Land and Conservation (NSW), the Hon. KM Yeadon 1995-96.

Barrister and solicitor 1996-1999.

Legal officer 1999-2002.