Elected to the House of Representatives for Batman, Victoria, 1996. Re-elected 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010. Retired prior to general elections 2013.

Parliamentary Representative, Council of the National Library of Australia from 9.8.99 to 13.5.08

Minister for Resources and Energy from 3.12.2007 to 25.3.2013.

Minister for Tourism from 3.12.2007 to 25.3.2013.

Cabinet Minister from 3.12.2007 to 25.3.2013.

Joint Standing: Migration from 17.11.1997 to 31.8.1998.

House of Representatives Standing: Employment, Education and Training from 30.5.1996 to 31.8.1998; Procedure from 8.12.1998 to 31.8.2004; Privileges from 20.3.2002 to 31.8.2004; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007; Industry and Resources from 2.12.2004 to 17.10.2007.

Member, Parliamentary Delegation to UK, Poland and Italy, June-July 2006

Official visits to Japan, March 2008

Official visits to Papua New Guinea, April 2008

Official visits to East Timor, May 2008

Official visits to Saudi Arabia and USA, June 2008

Official visits to Japan and Thailand, August 2008

Official visits to Hong Kong and China, August 2008

Official visits to India, November 2008

Official visits to Japan, November 2008

Official visits to UK, December 2008

Official visits to USA, January 2009

Official visits to China and Korea, March-April 2009

Official visits to Italy and Norway, May 2009

Official visits to Egypt, June-July 2009

Official visits to China, August 2009

Official visits to Qatar, UK and France, October 2009

Official visits to China, October 2009

Official visits to USA, January 2010

Official visits to India, February 2010

Official visits to China, March 2010

Official visits to New Zealand, December 2010

Official visits to USA, January 2011

Official visits to United Arab Emirates, April 2011

Official visits to Taiwan, June-July 2011

Official visits to Japan and Republic of Korea, July 2011

Official visits to Indonesia, July-August 2011

Official visits to Japan, September 2011

Official visits to Brunei, China and Republic of Korea, September 2011

Official visits to France and UK, October 2011

Official visits to China and India, November 2011

Official visits to USA, January 2012

Official visits to Kuwait, March 2012

Official visits to UK, April 2012

Official visits to Thailand and China, May-June 2012

Official visits to Russia and Norway, June 2012

Member of the Opposition Shadow Ministry from 19.3.1996 to 3.12.2007.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Training from 20.3.1996 to 26.8.1997.

Shadow Minister for Employment, Training, Population and Immigration from 26.8.1997 to 20.10.1998.

Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition on Multicultural Affairs from 26.8.1997 to 20.10.1998

Shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Population from 20.10.1998 to 3.10.1999.

Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Population from 3.10.1999 to 25.11.2001.

Shadow Minister for Regional and Urban Development, Transport and Infrastructure from 25.11.2001 to 23.8.2002.

Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism from 23.8.2002 to 2.7.2003.

Shadow Minister for Urban and Regional Development, Transport and Infrastructure from 2.7.2003 to 26.10.2004.

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Resources and Tourism from 26.10.2004 to 24.6.2005.

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Resources, Forestry and Tourism from 24.6.2005 to 10.12.2006.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism from 10.12.2006 to 3.12.2007.

Delegate, Federal and State Electorate Councils

Delegate, ALP State Conference (NSW)

Member, ALP from 1968

Vice-President, ALP Guildford Branch 1972-74

President, ALP Guildford Branch 1974-78

Secretary, ALP Guildford Branch 1978-90

Vice-President, ALP (NSW) 1983-90

Born 12.12.1953, Sydney, Australia

Married

B.Ec(Hons)(Syd)

Federal Research Officer, Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1975-81

Assistant General Secretary, Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1981-84

General Secretary, Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1984-90

Member, Australian Council of Trade Unions Executive 1984-90

Vice-President, Australian Council of Trade Unions 1985-90

President, Australian Council of Trade Unions 1990-96

Member, ILO Governing Body 1990-96

Life Member, Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1995

Appointed Member of the Order of Australia, 11.06.1996

Description: Inner Metropolitan

Location: north-eastern Melbourne; it includes the suburbs of Kingsbury, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir and Thornbury, and parts of Alphington, Bundoora, Coburg North, Fairfield and Macleod.

Area: 53 Sq km

Electors enrolled: 89160 (at 21.8.2010)

Industries: light engineering, textiles, clothing and footwear.

Electorate: Batman includes the Victorian Legislative Assembly electorate of Preston, and parts of Bundoora, Northcote and Thomastown