Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2004. Re-elected 2010, 2016 and 2022.

Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 26.7.2022.

Temporary Chair of Committees from 12.11.2013 to 9.5.2016.

Temporary Chair of Committees from 2.7.2019.

Joint Select: Australia's Immigration Detention Network served from 1.7.2011 to 30.3.2012; Constitutional Recognition of Local Government served from 1.11.2012 to 7.3.2013; Road Safety served from 5.2.2020 to 17.6.2020; National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation served from 28.9.2022 to 10.11.2022

Joint Standing: Treaties served from 1.7.2005 to 1.7.2008; Electoral Matters served from 6.12.2006 to 6.12.2006; Electoral Matters served as Deputy Chair from 7.12.2006 to 13.2.2008; Electoral Matters served from 14.2.2008 to 14.2.2008; Treaties served from 1.7.2014 to 9.5.2016; Treaties served from 1.9.2016 to 10.11.2016; Parliamentary Library served from 28.7.2022 to present

Joint Statutory: Public Accounts and Audit served from 26.10.2010 to 7.2.2012; Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity served from 1.7.2014 to 9.5.2016; National Anti-Corruption Commission served from 9.2.2023 to present

Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 1.7.2005 to 10.9.2006; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 1.7.2005 to 10.9.2006; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport served from 11.9.2006 to 12.2.2008; Education, Employment and Workplace Relations served from 12.2.2008 to 1.7.2008; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport served as Chair from 13.2.2008 to 13.5.2009; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 14.5.2009 to 13.11.2013; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Chair from 14.5.2009 to 11.11.2013; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 18.10.2011 to 21.10.2011; Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation served as Substitute member from 17.10.2012 to 18.10.2012; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 12.11.2013 to 9.5.2016; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served as Chair from 14.11.2013 to 9.5.2016; Economics: Legislation served as Substitute member from 6.3.2014 to 24.3.2014; Environment and Communications: References served as Substitute member from 3.3.2016 to 13.4.2016; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 1.9.2016 to 4.7.2022; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served as Chair from 1.9.2016 to 25.7.2022; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served from 1.9.2016 to 25.7.2022; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Deputy Chair from 4.7.2019 to 25.7.2022; Environment and Communications: References served as Substitute member from 24.6.2021 to present; Environment and Communications: References served as Substitute member from 21.10.2021 to present; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served from 28.7.2022 to 2.8.2022; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: Legislation served as Chair from 2.8.2022 to present; Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport: References served as Deputy Chair from 2.8.2022 to present

Senate Select: Agricultural and Related Industries served from 14.2.2008 to 23.8.2010; National Broadband Network served from 26.6.2008 to 17.6.2010; Men's Health served from 27.11.2008 to 29.5.2009; Australia's Food Processing Sector served from 1.7.2011 to 16.8.2012

Senate Standing: Regulations and Ordinances served from 1.7.2005 to 13.9.2005; Publications served from 1.7.2005 to 8.7.2014; Privileges served from 26.10.2010 to 7.2.2012; House served from 26.10.2010 to 11.11.2013; Senators' Interests served from 28.7.2022 to present

Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety from 28.6.2018 to 23.5.2022.

Member of the Australian Labor Party from 1991.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party State Conference (WA) from 1999.

Convener of the Australian Labor Party Transport Policy Committee, 2000.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 2002.

Delegate to the Australian Labor Party National Conference, 2004.

Born: 3.1.1960, Melbourne, Australia

Gender: Male

Marital Status: Married

Furniture removalist, truck driver and owner-operator from 1977 to 1991.

Organiser for the Transport Workers' Union from 1991 to 2005.

Member of the Branch Management Committee for the Transport Workers' Union from 1991 to 2005.

Councillor for the Transport Workers' Union from 1998 to 2005.

Awarded a Centenary Medal, 01.01.2001.