The Hon Ron Boswell AO represented the Nationals in the Australian Senate for Queensland from 1983 to 2014, and led the party in the Senate from 1990 to 2007. In 2008, he became Father of the Senate. Over the course of his political career, Mr Boswell was the leader of the National Party in the Senate from April 1990 to December 2007, holding many positions in the Coalition shadow ministry including Shadow Minister for Regional Development and External Territories (from September 1988 to April 1990), Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and External Territories (April 1993 to May 1994), and Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs (May 1994 to December 1994). Mr Boswell was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services in July 1999 but left the position in October 2003. He is a strong advocate for Australia’s primary producers and improving their productivity and profitability based on the best knowledge available. In 2020, Mr Boswell was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the parliament of Australia, to the people of Queensland, and to fisheries research and development.
