Roger came to Tasmania in 2000 as the inaugural CEO and Chairman of the Cradle Coast Authority. Roger led the Authority for 13 years until he resigned to stand for the seat of Braddon in December 2013.
He was elected to the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian Parliament in 2014 and served as Government Whip for the first two years of the Hodgman Government, before taking on the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Trade and Red Tape Reduction.
Upon his re-election in March 2018, he was appointed Minister for Human Services, Housing and Planning, and in July 2019 was also appointed Minister for Disability Services and Community Development, and Aboriginal Affairs.
January 2020 saw a Cabinet reshuffle by new Premier Peter Gutwein, and Roger was appointed Minister for Human Services, Housing, Environment and Parks, Planning, and Aboriginal Affairs.
A further reshuffle in February 2022 under Premier Gutwein saw Roger sworn in as Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, State Growth, Environment, and Aboriginal Affairs.
His most recent portfolio appointments following the March 2024 election are Children and Youth, Community Services, and Aboriginal Affairs.
Roger believes Tasmania should be a place where every Tasmanian can achieve their own vision and potential – a Tasmania full of people doing great things without limiting opportunities for other Tasmanians, or future generations, to do the same.
Roger and his wife Stephanie live in Wynyard, where they have raised their three adult children Lexie, Reuben and Charlotte. Roger enjoys shed time tinkering on his lovingly restored Series 1 Land Rover and exploring the North-West Coast.