He held various positions in John Howard's second, third, and fourth ministries, and sat in cabinet as Minister for Families and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs from 2006 to 2007.
Tivo varios postos de poder nos gobernos de John Howard e sentou no gabinete como Ministro de Familia, Servizos da Comunidade e Asunto Indíxenas dende 2006 até 2007.