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 and 2019.
Mark 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 was formerly Chair of the Standing Committee on Publications and 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.
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.