YOUR LOCAL MEMBER

The Hon Mark Coulton MP

Federal Member for the Parkes Electorate

Mark was first elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Parkes, New South Wales, in 2007. He has since been re-elected in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.

From March 2018 to May 2019, Mark was the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

Mark was first appointed to the Coalition Government Ministry on 26 May 2019 by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, and Assistant Trade and Investment Minister, which were roles he held until February 2020.

Mark served as the Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government from February 2020 until July 2021.

Mark Coulton at Broken Hill Airport.

During his time in the Federal Parliament, Mark has also held the positions of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Ageing and the Voluntary Sector, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Conservation and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets. He is currently the National Party’s Chief Whip.

Mark is Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine and a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Men’s Sheds.

Mark has also served on numerous parliamentary committees since entering Federal Parliament in 2007. He is currently a member of the following committees:

• House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts
• House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport;
• House of Representatives Selection Committee;
• Sub Committee National Policy – The Voice to Parliament;
• House of Representatives Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Mark was the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council from 2004 until 2007.

Mark has an extensive agricultural background having spent 30 years as a farmer and grazier. Until 2006, Mark and his wife Robyn owned and operated a mixed farming system growing cereal crops and running beef cattle.

The electorate of Parkes covers an area of 393,413 square kilometres, which is 49% of NSW and has an economy based on agriculture and mining.

As the Federal Member for Parkes, Mark represents one of the largest Aboriginal populations in the Australian Parliament.

When Parliament is not sitting, Mark and Robyn cover large distances travelling between communities to meet with constituents.