Richard Colbeck

Senator The Honourable Richard Colbeck
Minister for Tourism and International Education
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 September 2015
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	No Immediate Predecessor
Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 September 2015
Prime Minister	Malcolm Turnbull
Preceded by	No Immediate Predecessor
Senator for Tasmania
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 February 2002
Preceded by	Jocelyn Newman
Personal details
Born	5 April 1958 Myrtleford, Victoria
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia

Richard Mansell Colbeck (born 5 April 1958) is an Australian politician. He is a Senator for the state of Tasmania representing the Liberal Party of Australia since 2002; elected at the 2001 federal election.^[1] Since 2015, Colbeck has served as the Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Tourism and International Education in the Turnbull Government.

He was born in Myrtleford, Victoria, and was educated at Devonport Technical College. He was a building estimator and supervisor, managing director and proprietor of a building consultancy before entering politics.^[2]

Early career

In his early years, Colbeck gained qualifications in Small Business Management; Technology (Building); and Carpentry and Joinery Trade and Proficiency. He was an apprentice carpenter and joiner between 1977–79; a trainee estimator and supervisor 1977-79; and manager 1979-84. Between 1984 and 1989 he was a building estimator and supervisor; and managing director and proprietor of building consultancy from 1989.^[1]

From 1993-1996, and from 1998-2000, Colbeck served as the president of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce. From 1998-2001, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). From 1999-2002, he was an Alderman of the Devonport City Council.^[1]

Political career

On 4 February 2002, Colbeck was appointed to the Senate by the Governor of Tasmania under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, to fill the casual vacancy caused by the retirement of Senator Jocelyn Newman. Colbeck was elected in 2001 and his term began on 1 July 2002. He was re-elected in 2007.^[1]

Colbeck was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in October 2004. In January 2006 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration.^[1] With the defeat of the government led by John Howard in 2007, Colbeck was appointed to the Shadow Ministry, as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health and was shifted to the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in September 2008.^[3]

In September 2010, he was appointed Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science by Opposition leader, Tony Abbott.^[4] Abbott nominated Colbeck for appointment to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture following the 2013 federal election.^[5]

References

1. "Biography for COLBECK, the Hon. Richard Mansell". Australian Parliament. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
2. "Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck". ABC. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
3. http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fallmps%2F00AOL%22
4. http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm
5. "Abbott Ministry" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.

External links

• Summary of parliamentary voting for Senator Richard Colbeck on TheyVoteForYou.org.au