Tony was born in 1967 and grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Living in Box Hill for most of his life, his Dad was a school teacher and his Mum worked as a medical secretary.
Tony was educated at Kerrimuir Primary School in Box Hill North and then Carey Baptist Grammar School in Kew where his Dad was a science teacher. While he may not have inherited his Dad’s love of science, he did enjoy history and particularly sport, including rowing, football and athletics.
After school, Tony studied Commerce and Arts (Hons) at The University of Melbourne, paying for his costs by working as a nightshift cook at Dennys 24-hour restaurant in Doncaster. He also kept up his interests in rowing and history by working as a part time rowing coach and history tutor.
Whilst at university, Tony commenced work as a policy researcher for the Institute of Public Affairs, before working as a media adviser and then senior adviser to the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Peter Costello MP.
Tony was elected as the Federal Member for Casey at the 2001 election. He was re-elected at the 2004, 2007 and 2010 elections.
Tony has been a member of numerous House of Representatives committees including the Standing Committee on Science and Innovation and the Standing Committee on Ageing. He was also the Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and the Joint Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Audit. He is currently a member of the House of Representatives Economics Committee.
In January 2007 Tony was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the then Prime Minister John Howard MP. He is now the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tax Reform in the Federal Opposition.
Tony and his wife Pam have lived their whole lives in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and now live in Chirnside Park – right in the heart of the Casey electorate. They have two sons; Thomas and Angus, who keep both their parents on their toes.
Tony is a lifelong, fanatical supporter of the Carlton Football Club and attends as many games as he can with his father. He is also a patron on the Croydon Football Club (who coincidentally wear the Blues colours). When he gets a chance, Tony likes to tinker and restore old Holdens, cook for his family and friends and walk his two dogs – Zoe a hyperactive cattle dog and Flynn, an excitable Golden Retriever.
