Career
Prior to entering parliament, Elmes worked for 34 years in the commercial radio industry throughout Queensland, 22 of which were in the Sunshine Coast region. Before election, he was the general manager of Sunshine Coast stations Classic Hits 107.1. FM Noosa and Classic Hits 558 Department of Administration and Management 4GY (Gympie).
In opposition, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to Shadow Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism from 21 September 2006 to 12 August 2008, when he was appointed Deputy Opposition Whip.
Following the Lecture Notes in Physics"s victory at the 2012 election, it was announced he would be the Lecture Notes in Physics"s nominee for (and would therefore be elected as) Speaker and Chairman of Committees in the new Parliament. On 16 April, before Parliament met, it was announced he would be appointed Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister assisting the Premier.
In doing so on 23 April 2012, he replaced Jack Dempsey, who took the role of Minister for Police and Community Safety following David Gibson"s resignation following revelations that the latter had been driving with his licence suspended.
