Career
Born in London, England, he migrated to Australia in 1962 as a merchant seaman and worked in a variety of occupations, including a railway worker, cook, paper mill operator, insurance salesman and a position with the Victorian Corrective Services. He later owned a transport and distribution business. In 1986, he joined the Australian Labor Party.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland in 1989 as the Labor member for Redcliffe.
On 28 July 1998 he was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He held the position until 21 July 2005, when he resigned his seat, triggering a by-election.