Mark was first elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of Parkes, New South Wales, in 2007. He has since been re-elected in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022.

In June 2022, Mark was appointed as the National Party’s Chief Whip.

Mark previously served as the Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government from February 2020 until July 2021.

He was first appointed to the Coalition Government Ministry on 26 May 2019 by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, and Assistant Trade and Investment Minister, and was officially sworn-in on 29 May 2019.

From March 2018 to May 2019, Mark was the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

During his time in the Federal Parliament, Mark has also held the positions of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Party’s Chief Whip, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Ageing and the Voluntary Sector, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Conservation and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Emerging Trade Markets.

Mark has also served on numerous parliamentary committees since entering Federal Parliament in 2007. He is currently Chair of the House of Representatives Policy and Initiatives Committee and a member of the following committees:

House of Representatives Selection Committee;
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport;
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration;
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts; and
Sub Committee Nationals Policy – The Voice to Parliament.

He was formerly Chair of the Standing Committee on Publications and was previously a member of the following committees:

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration;
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs;
House of Representatives Selection Committee;
Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings; and
Joint Committee on Publications.

Mark is also Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine and is a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Men’s Sheds.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Mark was the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council from 2004 until 2007.

Mark has an extensive agricultural background having spent 30 years as a farmer and grazier. Until 2006, Mark and his wife Robyn owned and operated a mixed farming system growing cereal crops and running beef cattle.

The electorate of Parkes covers an area of 393 413 square kilometres, which is 49% of NSW and has an economy based on agriculture and mining.

As the Federal Member for Parkes, Mark represents one of the largest Aboriginal populations in the Australian Parliament.

When Parliament is not sitting, Mark and Robyn cover large distances travelling from community to community to meet with their constituents.

Sussan Ley

Mark Coulton