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Richard Colbeck portrait

Senate

Richard Colbeck

Senator for Tasmania

Liberal Party of Australia · LIB

Federal parliamentary service23 years 1 month(s) and 18 days.Duration reported by the Parliamentary Handbook · 28 Oct 2026
Current ministry / shadow entries0Includes office-holder entries such as Cabinet membership; not a count of distinct policy areas.

Parliamentary service

First entered federal Parliament: 4 Feb 2002.

Service periods below follow the Handbook’s election and service boundaries. The source-reported duration above is shown separately from our interval calculation.

  1. 1 July 2025 – CurrentSenate

    Re-elected 2025

  2. 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2025Senate

    Re-elected 2019

  3. 9 Feb 2018 – 30 June 2019Senate

    Declared elected 9.2.2018 as a Senator for Tasmania by the High Court of Australia, vice the Hon. S Parry (resigned).

  4. 1 July 2014 – 2 July 2016Senate

    Re-elected 2013. Defeated at general elections 2016.

  5. 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2014Senate

    Re-elected 2007

  6. 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2008Senate

    Elected to the Senate for Tasmania 2001.

  7. 4 Feb 2002 – 30 June 2002Senate

    Appointed by the Governor of Tasmania on 4.2.2002 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. J Newman (resigned).

Current responsibilities

Ministry and shadow ministry

No current ministry or shadow-ministry appointment is recorded in this Handbook snapshot.

Parliamentary and party offices

  • Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 26.7.2022.26 July 2022 – Current
  • Temporary Chair of Committees22 July 2025 – Current

These are the Handbook’s dated appointments. Party spokespeople and committee memberships outside these records need their own source checks.

Background before Parliament

Qualifications recorded by Parliament

  • Certificate in Technology (Building), Devonport Technical College
  • Certificates in Carpentry and Joinery Trade and Proficiency, Devonport Technical College
  • Certificate in Small Business Management, Devonport Technical College

Occupations recorded by Parliament

  • Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Tas.) from 1998 to 2001.
  • Managing director and proprietor of building consultancy from 1989
  • Building estimator and supervisor from 1984 to 1989.
  • Manager from 1979 to 1984.
  • Apprentice carpenter and joiner from 1977 to 1979.
  • Trainee estimator and supervisor from 1977 to 1979.

Appointment history

View 16 dated office and portfolio entries
  • Temporary Chair of Committees22 July 2025 – Current
  • Member of the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust from 26.7.2022.26 July 2022 – Current
  • Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services22 Dec 2020 – 23 May 2022
  • Minister for Sport22 Dec 2020 – 23 May 2022
  • Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians29 May 2019 – 22 Dec 2020
  • Minister for Youth and Sport29 May 2019 – 22 Dec 2020
  • Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources28 Aug 2018 – 29 May 2019
  • Minister for Tourism and International Education21 Sept 2015 – 19 July 2016
  • Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment21 Sept 2015 – 19 July 2016
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture18 Sept 2013 – 21 Sept 2015
  • Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry14 Sept 2010 – 18 Sept 2013
  • Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science14 Sept 2010 – 18 Sept 2013
  • Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry22 Sept 2008 – 14 Sept 2010
  • Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health6 Dec 2007 – 22 Sept 2008
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration27 Jan 2006 – 3 Dec 2007
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry26 Oct 2004 – 27 Jan 2006