I grew up dividing my time with my family between the Southern Highlands and Sydney’s St George area - a great balancing experience of city and regional life. I learnt from both my parents the value of hard work and giving each person a fair go.
Now with my brother, I run our Highlands family farm, certainly acquainting me with some of the challenges faced in regional NSW.
My father, a World War II veteran, had a very strong view about Australia's place in the world and taught me the strength and value of our nation's proud history. I think my passion for international relations comes from that special interest shared with him.
I studied law and arts at the University of NSW and after a serious motor vehicle accident during those years, learnt not to put off until tomorrow what you really want to do today. I became involved in politics – I believed, and still believe, that to make a difference you need to join in, not watch from the sidelines.
It is an enormous responsibility to represent the people of NSW in the Senate, and a great privilege. Every day brings a new opportunity, meeting with inspiring Australians and gaining an awareness of the importance of the role Australia plays in our world. The challenge continues to be to improve and develop my own solutions to issues impacting on our community.
The values that my parents taught me still guide me today in my work in a myriad of areas – whether weighing up Australia's place in world, or in pursuing policies to address Australia's ageing population; and in all of that ensuring that we, as Liberals, are measured in our policy approach and always mindful of the impact of what we do on families, and the community.