The Hon Mark Vaile AO

Mark was a Member of the Australian Parliaments House of Representatives from 1993 until 2008.

He was Deputy Prime Minister ( 2005 – 2007), Minister for Trade ( 1999 – 2006), Minister for Transport & Regional Development ( 1997 – 1998; 2006 – 2007 ) and Minister for Agriculture ( 1998 – 1999).

On 11th June 2012 Mark was appointed an Officer in the General Division 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.

Mark currently holds the following positions

  • Chairman: Whitehaven Coal Limited, ASX listed resource company
  • Chairman: Servcorp Limited ASX listed property and IT company
  • Director: Stamford Land Corp.SGX listed property company
  • Director: AAM Investment Group an Australian unlisted agricultural investment fund
  • Director: Regional Australia Institute Australia’s preeminent regional policy institute
  • Board Director and former Chairman: Australian American Leadership Dialogue, a private track two diplomatic Initiative aimed at broadening and deepening the US – Australia alliance

Key achievements

  • July 2003: Negotiated the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2004: Negotiated the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2004: Negotiated the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
  • May 2004: Negotiated the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2005: Initiated formal negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN to eliminate barriers to trade affecting goods, services and investment.
  • April 2005: Initiated Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Australia and China.
  • April 2005: Launched negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Malaysia.

Key achievements

  • July 2003: Negotiated the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2004: Negotiated the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2004: Negotiated the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
  • May 2004: Negotiated the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement
  • February 2005: Initiated formal negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN to eliminate barriers to trade affecting goods, services and investment.
  • April 2005: Initiated Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Australia and China.
  • April 2005: Launched negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Malaysia.