About Gary
Gary was chosen by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 18 February 2003 to represent the Australian Capital Territory in the Senate, after the retirement of Senator the Hon. Margaret Reid.  He thus became the first person ever chosen by a territory parliament to fill a casual vacancy in the Federal Parliament.

Gary was born in 1958 in Sydney. He came to Canberra to study in 1978 and has been in the national capital ever since. He studied at the Australian National University, completing Arts and Law degrees.

After practising as a lawyer, he entered politics at the age of 30.  He was first elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in 1989, at the inauguration of self-government for the ACT.  Gary spent most of his political career in the Legislative Assembly as a minister, holding at various times most of the major portfolios in the ACT Government, including serving as Minister for Health, Minister for Education, as Treasurer, Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for Planning and as Attorney General.

He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party from 1989 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2000.
 
In October 2000, on the resignation of Kate Carnell, Gary was elected ACT Leader of the Liberal Party and, subsequently, Chief Minister. He served in that position until his government was defeated in the October 2001 Assembly election, despite retaining its seven seats.  He was Leader of the Opposition until his election as a Senator.

Gary was re-elected to the Senate in 2004 and 2007. During his time in Parliament, he has been actively involved in a number of committees and major inquiries, and is currently the Deputy Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Committee.
 
Gary is married to Cathie, and they have two young boys, Felix and Owain. They live in Weston Creek.
 
In his spare time, he enjoys the arts, tennis, the theatre, films and cooking, and regularly auctions his talents as a chef to raise money for charity.  He is also a big fan of the Raiders, the Brumbies and the Canberra Capitals.
 
A patron of numerous local sporting and community groups, Gary also participates in many community-based events, such as guest judging, guest speaker and presenter for awards nights in support of the Canberra community.

Read Gary's Message

Gary Humphries does not accept personal donations.

All donations are received and processed by the ACT Division of the Liberal Party of Australia.