Parliamentary Service
Elected to the Senate for Queensland 1998 (term began 1.7.1999)
Re-elected in 2004 and 2010
Ministerial Appointments
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing from 3.12.07 to 9.6.09
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers from 14.9.10
Committee Service
Senate Standing:
Publications from 9.8.99 to 1.7.02
Regulations and Ordinances from 9.8.99 to 4.10.00
Senators' Interests from 9.8.99 to 11.2.02
Scrutiny of Bills from 1.7.02 to 15.11.04
Privileges from 14.2.08
Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing:
Finance and Public Administration: References Committee from 18.6.01 to 23.8.01
Community Affairs: References Committee from 13.2.02 to 15.11.04 and from 1.7.05 to 15.9.05 and Legislation Committee from 25.3.04 to 15.11.04
Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts: References Committee from 13.2.02 to 1.7.02; Legal and Constitutional Affairs from 12.2.08 to 17.3.08
Senate Select:
Lucas Heights Reactor from 17.8.00 to 24.5.01; Medicare from 15.5 03 to 11.2.04
Administration of Indigenous Affairs from 23.6.04 to 15.11.04
Joint Statutory:
Native Title and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Fund from 9.8.99 to 31.8.04;
Corporations and Financial Services from 24.6.09
Public Works from 24.6.09 (Chair from 24.6.09)
Conferences, Delegations and Visits
Member, Parliamentary Delegation to East Timor as observer of Presidential election, April 2002
Official visit to Papua New Guinea for Australia/PNG Bilateral Meeting in Madang, April 2008
Official visit to Switzerland, World Health Assembly in Geneva, May 2009
Parliamentary Party Positions
Member, Opposition Shadow Ministry from 22.10.04 to 3.12.07
Shadow Minister for Ageing and Disabilities from 26.10.04 to 24.6.05
Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers from 24.6.05 to 3.12.07
Personal
Born 27.3.1958, Atherton, Qld
Qualifications and Occupation before entering Federal Parliament
DipT (Townsville College of Advanced Education) now JCU
Teacher 1979-88
Local Government Service
Councillor, Cairns City Council 1995-99