Senator the Hon Marise Payne is Minister for Foreign Affairs. She had previously served as as Minister for Defence from 2015-2018 and as Minister for Human Services from 2013-2015. She has represented the people of New South Wales in the Senate since 1997 and has served as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Development and Employment, Shadow Minister for COAG and Shadow Minister for Housing. She plays an active role in the Senate and has been a member of Joint and Senate committees, including as Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and as Chair of its Human Rights Committee.