Role Australian Senator Name Richard Colbeck | Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull | |
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Preceded by No Immediate Predecessor Preceded by No Immediate Predecessor Born 5 April 1958 (age 66) Myrtleford, Victoria ( 1958-04-05 ) Office Australian Senator since 2002 Books Inquiry Into Australia's Food Processing Sector Similar People David Bushby, Catryna Bilyk, Carol Brown, Bob Brown, Nick Sherry Profiles | ||
Inside canberra bio and food security forum senator richard colbeck
Richard Mansell Colbeck (born 5 April 1958) is an Australian politician. He was a Senator for the state of Tasmania representing the Liberal Party of Australia from 2002 to 2016, having been first elected at the 2001 federal election. From September 2015 to July 2016, Colbeck served as the Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Tourism and International Education in the First Turnbull Ministry. He was defeated at the 2016 federal election.
Contents
- Inside canberra bio and food security forum senator richard colbeck
- Senator richard colbeck explains the coalition s marine park plans
- Early career
- Political career
- References
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.
Senator richard colbeck explains the coalition s marine park plans
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. Abbott nominated Colbeck for appointment to the Abbott Ministry as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture following the 2013 federal election.
Following the leadership spill that made Malcolm Turnbull Prime Minister, Colbeck served as the Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Minister for Tourism and International Education in the First Turnbull Ministry from September 2015 to July 2016.