Stephen Parry

Stephen Shane Parry (born 31 October 1960), Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party member of the Australian Senate since July 2005, representing the state of Tasmania. He was elected Government Deputy Whip in the Senate in November 2006 and elected Government Whip in April 2007 in succession to the late Senator Jeannie Ferris. Senator Parry is currently the Deputy President and Chairman of Committees.

Early life

Stephen Shane Parry was born on October 31, 1960 in Burnie, Tasmania to William Stephen Parry and Patricia Dawn Evans. He was educated at Burnie's Marist Regional College, and following matriculation enroled at the Tasmanian Police Academy in Hobart.

Career

Parry was employed as an officer with the Tasmanian Police from 1977 to 1986, and was promoted to Detective in 1983. After leaving the Police force, he completed a certificate in Mortuary Science at the Australian College of Funeral Service and was a funeral director from 1986 to 2004. He was President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association. Parry was also president of the Burnie Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2000 to 2004, and a director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2000 to 2005.

Politics

In 2004, as a member of the Liberal Party of Australia, Parry was elected to the Australian Senate for the state of Tasmania. He was elected Government Deputy Whip in the Senate in November 2006 and Government Whip in April 2007 in succession to the late Senator Jeannie Ferris. Senator Parry was elected Opposition Whip after the 2007 federal election and on 16 February 2009, in addition to his role as Whip, he was appointed Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

Stephen Parry is married with two adult sons.

In accdordance with Senate traditions, on the 04 July 2011 Senator Stephen Parry replaced Allan Ferguson and was elected by the Senate, as the Deputy President and Chairman of Committees.