About Graham
Graham is a passionate advocate for Brisbane's southside.
He and his team are working hard to deliver the Labor Government's election commitments to upgrade the Mains Road and Kessels Road intersection, develop a southside GP Super Clinic, protect workers' rights and implement practical solutions to climate change. He's also secured federal funding for the Tarragindi Bikeway.
Graham brings a no-nonsense, practical approach to politics and he's committed to ensuring people of all backgrounds can experience the Aussie fair-go.
Graham was educated in country Queensland and received a Diploma of Teaching in 1985 from the Brisbane College of Advanced Education. He taught for three years with Education Queensland on the Darling Downs and in north Queensland at Babinda, and for eight years in Catholic schools in Brisbane. He's still passionate about education and ensuring especially that all children have access to quality education.
Graham was awarded a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in 1993 by the University of Queensland with his thesis on "The Autobiography of Malcolm X". After studying law part-time Graham received his Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology and was also admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1999.
He then worked as an organiser with the Queensland Independent Education Union and received his Certificate in Organising. He later became a Senior Policy Advisor with the Queensland Government working for the Honourable Stephen Robertson (Mines/Native Title/Health) and the Honourable Geoff Wilson (Mines). He also spent time as an advisor to the Queensland Resources Council.
In 2004, Graham first contested the Federal seat of Moreton for the Australian Labor Party. He contested the seat again in 2007 and was successfully elected to the House of Representatives.
Graham is the Secretary of the Caucus Economics Committee. He is a member of the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Primary Industries and Resources Committee, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee and the Parliamentary Library Joint Standing Committee.
He is also a convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Amnesty International group and Parliamentary Friends of the Red Cross group. Graham is also a member for the Griffith Asia Institute Advisory Council.
In his younger years, Graham played in rock band and his love of music continues today. He's also a keen reader and writer and in 2008 published his first novel, The Twelfth Fish.
Graham lives in Moorooka with his wife, Lea, and his two young sons.
