Hon Mark Vaile AO had a career as an Australian Federal Parliamentarian from 1993 to 2008. He has held Ministerial Portfolios during his five terms in Federal Parliament including as Minister for Transport and Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Minister for Trade, and Minister for Transport and Regional Services. He was also deputy prime minister of Australia and former leader of the National Party.
Mr Vaile has extensive experience in the global commerce environment including as Trade Minister involved in negotiating the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the then proposed Australia-China FTA, as well as similar agreements with trading partners Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
Following his resignation from Parliament in July 2008, Mr Vaile embarked on a career in the private sector.
In January 2001, Mr Vaile was awarded the Centenary Medal for his services as Minister for Trade. In 2012, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, through support for rural and regional communities, to the pursuit of global trade and investment opportunities, and to the citizens of the Taree region.
