Mark was first elected to the House of Assembly in March 2010 as the Member for Lyons.
He and his wife Merrilyn live in the small township of Bracknell and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Mark has a very strong background in primary industries, operating a 200 acre property at Bracknell with his brother.
Marks maintains a strong desire and passion to work hard for regional Tasmania and the continued development of our small businesses, agriculture and forestry sectors. He knows the importance of a secure job and a community that supports its own.
Since his election to the House of Assembly in 2010, Mark has held a number of positions in the Liberal Government including:
- Speaker of the House of Assembly;
- Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and Chair of Committees;
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier;
- Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development;
- Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Minister for Local Government; and
- On numerous committees including the Tasmanian Parliament Privileges Committee, Government Business Enterprise Estimates Committee, Integrity Committee, Community Development Committee, Firearms Committee, Public Works Committee, the House of Assembly Restoration Bill Committee, Parliamentary inquiry into the sale of TOTE and was the only Opposition member ever to chair an Estimates committee in the history of the Tasmanian Parliament.
He also held the shadow portfolios of Police and Emergency Services, Sport & Recreation, Racing, Consumer Affairs, Forestry and Regional Development in Opposition.
From 2003 to 2010 Mark was the Mayor of the Meander Valley Council, and as a former TAFE and Adult Education teacher in automotive studies, he is passionate about developing the skills through education that the next generation will need. He also has extensive experience in managing small businesses.
Mark is Patron and supporter of many sporting organisations and with a long sporting career in both football and cricket; he is a big believer in participation in team sports, not just for the physical and social benefits, but for the mental health benefits as well.
He is also a passionate supporter of many charities, and in 2024 Mark completed a third 200 kilometre fundraising walk from Launceston to Hobart to raise funds for the statewide disability support service St Giles. Over these three walks he has raised more than $65,000 for the charity. St Giles provides caring and professional support to Tasmanian families who have loved ones with a disability.