Warren was born in Canberra. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 and then completed a Diploma in Education in 1975, moving to the Northern Territory to work as a teacher in Darwin. Between 1978 and 1981, he worked as a researcher at the Australian National University's Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, with Dr H C (Nugget) Coombs and Dr Maria Brandl, on the Aboriginal Children's and Families' Heritage Project.
He was elected to Parliament in 1987. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for various portfolios including Transport and Communications, Employment Education and Training and Environment, Sport and Territories, in the Hawke and Keating Governments.
Since his re-election to Parliament in 1998, he has been a member of several Parliamentary Committees including the Joint Parliamentary Committees of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; Native Title and the Indigenous Land Fund and the Capital Territory and External Territories, as well as the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs and various Caucus Committees.
Warren was appointed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel
in the election of the Gillard Labor Government in 2010.
Warren lives in Alice Springs with his partner Elizabeth and their four children.
Electorate Profile
Lingiari
State:
NT
Name Derivation:
Named in honour of Vincent Lingiari OAM 1908-88, who was a member of the Gurindji people from the Victoria River District.
Area and Location Description:
Lingiari covers an area of approximately 1 352 371 sq km of the Northern Territory including Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Products/Industries of the Area:
Cattle, tourism, horticulture, fishing, light industry in Alice Springs, bauxite, copper, gold and uranium mining.
First Proclaimed/Election:
2000/2001 (Previously part of the Division of Northern Territory - 1922-2000.)
Demographic Rating:
Rural
Members:
Snowdon, W (ALP) 2001-