Career
Born in Brisbane, Stephan was a farmer, Shire of Widgee councillor, and Gympie Agricultural Society president before entering politics. He was elected to the safe National seat of Gympie at the 1979 state election. He served as Deputy Government Whip from 1987 to 1989, and Government Whip from September to December 1989.
He briefly served in the shadow ministry under Russell Cooper and Rob Borbidge in the early 1990s, serving as Opposition Spokesman on Regional Development and Forestry from 1990 to 1991, and Opposition Spokesman on Forestry and Administrative Services from 1991 to 1992, but had returned to the backbench by the National Party"s 1995 election victory.
