The Hon Michael McCormack MP

The Hon Michael McCormack MP is the Member for Riverina in New South Wales. He was sworn in as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac on 20 December 2017.

Born and raised on family farms at Marrar and Brucedale in the Riverina, Michael McCormack was educated in Wagga Wagga and went on to a 21-year career at Wagga Wagga’s The Daily Advertiser.

Aged 27, Mr McCormack became the newspaper’s Editor, the youngest person to be appointed to such a role at a daily newspaper in the Australasia at the time.

Following an 11 year career at the helm of the Advertiser, Mr McCormack then co-founded a media and publishing small business in Wagga Wagga, which he owned and operated in partnership until he was elected to Parliament. The successful business went on to encourage expansion and growth of a Wagga Wagga printing firm, including additional staff and a new printing press, to keep up with the business’ work. Mr McCormack was pre-selected as The Nationals’ candidate for Riverina at the 2010 Federal Election and won a tough three-cornered contest. He continued his role as a community champion as the local MP and was re-elected at the 2013 election.

Appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance following the 2013 Federal Election, Mr McCormack held responsibility for the Commonwealth’s discretionary payments, non-Defence property portfolio, risk management strategy and the Commonwealth’s public liability.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull then appointed Mr McCormack Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, in the administration of regional development programmes. A reshuffle in February 2016 following the retirement of Mr Truss saw Mr McCormack become the Assistant Minister for Defence – a portfolio with key ties to his Riverina electorate, which is the only inland city with all three arms of the Australian Defence Force, including Home of the Soldier at Kapooka. Mr McCormack has a long abiding interest in military history and in the Defence portfolio previously held responsibility for Defence Personnel, Defence Estate and Honours and Awards.

Following the 2016 Federal Election, Mr McCormack was appointed to the position of Minister for Small Business within the Turnbull/Joyce Ministry.

Mr McCormack is married to Catherine and has three adult children.