Sourced positions
A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.
Abortion & reproductive policy verified
Voted against the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2015, which created safe access zones around premises providing abortion services. On 12 November 2015 the bill passed the Assembly 69 to 13; he was one of the thirteen in the noes. He did not speak on the bill.
Voluntary assisted dying verified
Opposed voluntary assisted dying at every stage as Liberal member for Burwood. On the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 he voted in the noes on the reasoned amendment and the second reading (18 October 2017) and on the third reading (Ayes 47, Noes 37, 19-20 October 2017), and in all 18 consideration-in-detail divisions. On 29 November 2017 he voted to defer the bill indefinitely when the Council's amendments returned. In his second-reading speech he argued the bill created a suicide-authorisation regime, called its terminology 'reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984', said it contradicted the Victorian Suicide Prevention Framework 2016-25, and proposed an alternative centred on palliative care, early pain intervention and depression detection. In September 2018 he presented a 450-signature petition asking the Assembly to repeal the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017.
Gender & LGBTQ+ policy verified
Voted against the Adoption Amendment (Adoption by Same-Sex Couples) Bill 2015 (second reading, 22 October 2015; Ayes 54, Noes 26). His speech was more qualified than the vote: he said his niece and her partner have rights in Western Australia they would not have in Victoria, that this 'was not right and should be fixed', and that he had no personal issue with whom people choose as a partner. He gave his ground for voting no as clause 17 and religious freedom, citing the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee's report and article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He also voted against the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Religious Exceptions) Bill 2016 (15 September 2016; 44 to 36). For contrast, he voted aye twice on the Adoption Amendment Bill 2013.
Drugs & law and order verified
Voted against the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) Bill 2017 (second and third reading, 16 November 2017; 46 to 35).
Native forest logging verified
Voted aye twice on the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Amendment Bill 2013 (27 June 2013), on Labor's reasoned amendment to refer the bill to committee and on the second and third reading, both carried 43 to 41. He made no speech stating a position on native forest logging.
Environment & water verified
Voted aye twice on the Native Vegetation Credit Market Bill 2014 (26 June 2014), on a reasoned amendment to refer the bill to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and on the clauses and third reading; both divisions tied 42 to 42 and were resolved by the Speaker's casting vote.
Record last updated 2026-08-13.