Gary is a PhD candidate writing a thesis on the history of ACT Self-Government 1988-2001. Gary was a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly during those years, and feels the need to help document this period in Australian political history. He was Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, chair of the Anzac Centenary Public Fund Board and national chairman of RSPCA Australia.

Gary was ACT Chief Minister in 2000-01 and Liberal Senator for the ACT 2003-13. He was President of the ANU Students’ Association in 1982.