Gear was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and received a Bachelor of Education at Mount Lawley College Advanced Education a Diploma of Electrical Engineering at Fremantle Technical College and a Diploma of Technical Teaching from Perth Technical College.
Gear was elected for the Australian Labor Party as the member for the seat of Tangney at the 1983 election for the Australian House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Liberal Peter Shack. At the 1996 federal election, Johnston was successful at her fifth attempt. Gear was Government Whip from May 1990 to March 1993, and was appointed Assistant Treasurer in the second Keating ministry in March 1993.
He was one of three ministers defeated in the 1996 election.
