Biography

Jamie grew up in the River Murray town of Mildura with his Mum, Dad and Sister Kate. His Dad was the local bank manger and his Mum volunteered at the Catholic primary school.

Like most country boys Jamie was drawn to sport, playing cricket, football and golf whenever he could.

He went to school at St. Joseph’s college in Mildura where he excelled in cricket before moving to Adelaide to pursue dreams of playing for Australia. Jamie’s parents recount that he had an interest in public affairs from an early age that developed into a particular interest in politics in his early 20’s.

When he was 22 Jamie joined the Liberal Party. During this time he also worked for Business SA. In 2001 he was employed by the State Treasurer Rob Lucas. When the South Australian Liberal Party lost the state election in 2002, Jamie continued to work for Rob.

In 2003, Jamie moved to Canberra to work for a senior Minister. Following the 2004 election he was moved to Prime Minister Howard’s office as an adviser. In early 2006 Jamie was appointed to a senior adviser’s role in the PM’s office, one of the youngest ever to hold that title.

Following the Howard Government’s election loss in 2007, he won a by-election held in 2008 to replace the retiring Alexander Downer in the Federal seat of Mayo.

As a Member of Parliament Jamie serves on a number of Parliamentary Committee's including Economics, Treaties and Public Accounts & Audits. He was recently appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee of Economics.

Jamie is a member of the South Australian Cricket Association, the Carlton Football Club, an Honorary Member of the Strathalbyn Racing Club and the Mount Barker Golf Club.

Jamie lives in Mount Barker with his wife Estée, their daughter Elka and son Henry.