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Born 2 August 1964 in Wagga Wagga, NSW
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Raised on family properties at Brucedale and Marrar
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Educated at Saint Joseph’s, Henschke Primary, St Michael’s Regional High and Trinity Senior High School
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Worked as a Rugby League ground announcer at Eric Weissel Oval while still at school
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Began work as a reporter at The Daily Advertiser 1981; promoted to sub-editor 1988; acting editor 1991; editor (at 27 years of age was youngest in Australasia at the time) 1992; group editor Riverina Media Group 1996
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Started own company MSS Media Services & Solutions 2002
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Chairman, Kay Hull’s Federal Election Campaign Committees 2004 and 2007
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Vice-Chairman, The Nationals’ Riverina Electorate Council 2010-11
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Married Catherine Shaw in 1986; children Georgina, Alexander and Nicholas
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Helped to save the RAAF base at Forest Hill in 1997 which resulted in the retention and expansion of the base
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Co-author of 7 local history publications as well as a business/tourism book New South Wales: Linking Australia to the World, 2003.
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President, St Michael’s Cricket Club, Wagga Wagga 1988-92
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Secretary, Harlequins Hockey Club, Wagga Wagga 1991; awarded life membership 1996
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Coach and Manager, Henwood Park Soccer Club junior teams 2003-08
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Director, Murrumbidgee Turf Club 1994-2003
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President, Wagga Wagga Basketball Association 2009
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Honorary member of the Officer’s Mess at ARTC Kapooka
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House of Representatives Standing Committees: House; Regional Australia 2010-11
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Federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance 2013-15
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Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister September 2015-February 2016
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Assistant Minister for Defence February 2016-July 2016
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Minister for Small Business July 2016-December 2017
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Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC December 2017-March 2018
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Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport February 2018-June 2021
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Minister for Regional Development August 2018-June 2021
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Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific June 2022-