About

My name is Rick Wilson and I’ve been privileged to represent the people of O’Connor in Federal Parliament since 2013.

This electorate has always been my home – I was one of six children raised on our family’s farm in Katanning.

I was still just a teenager when my father died, but my brother and I were determined to care for the land that has been in our family since our great-grandfather first farmed it in 1867.

We worked side-by-side for 25 years, and that was where I began to understand the challenges of running a dynamic business in regional Western Australia.

In 2015, my wife Tanya and I moved from Katanning to Albany, where we now raise our four children.

I was inspired to run for Parliament following my involvement in a decade-long campaign to deregulate the wheat industry, which brought about the end of the Australian Wheat Board’s monopoly.

Small government and reduced bureaucracy, a higher standard of health, aged care and education services in the regions, and improving our communications network are some of the key areas I have focused on since entering Parliament.

First and foremost, my priority as an MP will always be the people of O’Connor – regional Western Australia has given me a wonderful life and I’m determined to ensure every person in my electorate has the quality of life they deserve.

Qualifications and occupation before entering Federal Parliament

• Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) (Curtin University).
• Wheat and sheep farmer from 1990 to 2013.
• Vice-Chairman of the Grains Committee at the Pastoralists and Graziers Association from 2000 to 2008.
• Chairman of the Grains Committee at the Pastoralists and Graziers Association from 2008 to 2011.

 Parliamentary service

• First elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member for  O'Connor, 2013.
• Re-elected 2016, 2019 and 2022.

Parliamentary positions

• Shadow Assistant Minister for Trade from 5.6.2022
• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 9.9.2019.
• Member of the Speaker's Panel from 30.7.2021.

Committee service

• House of Representatives Select Committee:

• • • Regional Australia served from 17.9.2019 to 15.3.2022

• House of Representatives Standing Committees:

• • • Agriculture and Industry served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016;
    • Indigenous Affairs served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019;
    • Agriculture and Water Resources served from 14.9.2016 to 2.10.2016;
    • Communications and the Arts served from 14.9.2016 to 11.4.2019;
    • Agriculture and Water Resources served as Chair from 3.10.2016 to 11.4.2022;
    • Environment and Energy served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022;
    • Industry, Science and Resources served from 1.8.2022 to present;
    • Agriculture served as Chair from 3.10.2016 until 21.8.2022; Agriculture served as Deputy Chair from 22.8.2022 to present

• Joint Select Committee:

• • • Road Safety served from 24.10.2019 to 9.11.2020;
    • Road Safety served from 11.5.2021 to 25.3.2022

• Joint Standing Committee:

• • • Parliamentary Library served from 4.12.2013 to 9.5.2016;
    • Trade and Investment Growth served from 14.9.2016 to 1.7.2019

• Joint Statutory Committee:

• • • Public Accounts and Audit served from 4.7.2019 to 11.4.2022;
    • Public Works served from 4.7.2019 to 2.12.2020;
    • Public Works served as Chair from 3.12.2020 to 11.4.2022