About David

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council,
Shadow Minister for Police, Urban Development and Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, City of Adelaide
Assisting Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs

David grew up near Bordertown in the Upper South-East of South Australia.
He was educated at Bordertown primary and high schools.

As a member of the South Australian Rural Youth Movement, David was elected state president in 1982-83. In 1984 he won a rural youth study tour to the UK for 6 months. This experience heightened David’s interest in politics, especially in primary industries and regional development.

David began working on the family farm and at 19, took on management of the family’s horticultural business. After purchasing the business in 1997 with his wife Meredith, they expanded the operation to the largest producer of gladiolus corms in Australia and New Zealand.

David was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council in 2002. Throughout the proceeding 4 years he served on a number of Parliamentary committees, including

Social Development Committee;
Environment, Resources and Development Committee;
Mount Gambier District Health Services Select Committee;
Allegedly Unlawful Practices raised in the Auditor General’s Report 2003-04 Select Committee (AUPAG); and,
Naracoorte Town Square Bill 2005 Select Committee.

In 2006, David took on the critical roles of Shadow Minister for the River Murray, Environment and Conservation and Urban Development and Planning. He was also appointed to Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. David chaired the Water Policy Committee throughout this period and led the Committee in its initial planning of the Liberals’ desalination policy. He also added the Pricing, Refining, Storage and Supply of Fuel Select Committee to his committee memberships.

In April 2007 David became the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. He has also taken on the Shadow Ministry for Police and Mineral Resources Development. He retains his position as Shadow Minister for Urban Development and Planning, and has seen the River Murray and Environment and Conservation portfolios redistributed.

In July 2009 David was appointed Shadow Minister for the portfolios of Transport and Infrastructure and the City of Adelaide. He continues to maintain the Shadow Ministry for Police, and Urban Development and Planning, along with assisting Shadow Ministry for Multicultural Affairs. Mineral Resources Development and Energy Security have been reallocated.

David now lives in Mitcham with his wife Meredith and their three children, Ashleigh, Tara and Louis.