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Elected to the House of Representatives for Gwydir, New South Wales, at by-election 15.4.1989, vice the Hon. RJD Hunt (resigned). Re-elected 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 2001.
Ministerial Appointments
Minister for Primary Industries and Energy from 11.3.96 to 21.10.98.
Minister for Transport and Regional Development from 25.9.97 to 9.10.97.
Minister for Transport and Regional Services from 21.10.98.
Deputy Prime Minister from 20.7.99.
Committee Service
House of Representatives Standing: Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 16.8.89 to 19.2.90; Aboriginal Affairs from 16.5.90 to 4.5.92; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs from 4.5.92 to 8.2.93; Employment, Education and Training from 16.5.90 to 6.5.92; Transport,
Communications and Infrastructure from 16.5.90 to 8.2.93.
Joint: Australian Capital Territory from 1.6.89 to 19.2.90.
Conferences, Delegations and Visits
Official visits to Taiwan, September 1996; Italy, France and Belgium, November 1996; USA, July 1997; Japan, July-August 1997; France, Italy, UK and Korea, March 1998.
Parliamentary Delegate to the Australian Constitutional Convention, Canberra, February 1998.
Parliamentary Party Positions
Deputy Leader of the Federal Parliamentary National Party of Australia from 23.3.93 to 1.7.99.
Leader, Federal Parliamentary National Party of Australia from 1.7.99.
Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 28.4.92 to 11.3.96. Parliamentary Secretary to the
Chair of the Manpower and Labour Market Reform Group from 28.4.92 to 7.4.93; Shadow
Minister for Primary Industry from 7.4.93 to 11.3.96.
Party Positions
Chair, National Party Tambar Springs Branch 1984-89.
Chair, Gwydir Federal Electorate Council 1986-89.
Member, Central Council, National Party of Australia (NSW) from 1986.
Member, Central Executive, National Party of Australia (NSW) from 1987.
Personal
Born 14.11.1956, Sydney, NSW.
Married.
Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal Parliament
MA (Syd).
Farmer and grazier.
Electorate
Description: Rural.
Location: Central northern New South Wales; it includes the towns of Aberdeen, Baradine, Boggabri, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coolah, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Gunnedah, Kandos, Mendooran, Moree, Mudgee, Narrabri, Quirindi, Rylstone, Scone, Walgett, Warialda, Wee Waa and Wellington.
Area: 185 604 sq km (approx.).
Electors enrolled: 84 188 (at 10.11.01).
Industries: Wool, beef, pork, wheat, cotton, oil seed crops, lucerne, fruit, vegetables, dairy cattle, horse, sheep and cattle studs, timber, coal and opal mining and wine growing.
State electorates: Gwydir includes parts of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorates of Barwon, Bathurst, Dubbo, Northern Tablelands, Tamworth and Upper Hunter.
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