Biography

Federal Member for Lowe
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade

Prior to his appointment in 2007 as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, the Hon John Murphy held the positions of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing from November 2001 to February 2003 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition from February 2003 to November 2007.

Following his election in October 1998 to federal parliament as Member for Lowe, Mr Murphy became a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and the Arts until 2001. He became a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in 1999 and was elected Deputy Chair of that committee in 2004, serving until 2007.

Between 1970 and 1998 Mr Murphy worked within the Australian Public Service in a number of senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer of the Repatriation Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre, NSW State Audit Manager of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and NSW Manager (Reviews and Grievances), Public Service and Merit Protection Commission. Mr Murphy was a Councillor of Drummoyne Council from 1995 to 1998.

Mr Murphy has taken an active interest in a number of diverse local, national and international organisations. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Five Dock and regularly attends and supports the activities of a wide range of other local community groups including Lions clubs, Chambers of Commerce, ex-service organisations and the City of Canada Bay’s annual NSW Cancer Council Relay for Life.

Mr Murphy is a co-Patron of the Burwood and District Sub-Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia, the Sydney Eisteddfod and the aid organisation Communities for Communities based in the city of Canada Bay.

Mr Murphy was born in Dunedoo in rural NSW in 1950. He was educated at Waverley College, Sydney and is an accredited mediator.

In 1983 Mr Murphy married Adriana. They have lived in Wareemba in Sydney’s Inner-West for over 25 years.

Mr Murphy enjoys classical music, particularly late period Beethoven piano sonatas. He is a passionate supporter of the arts, enjoys golf and is an ambassador for the thoroughbred industry.