MATHIAS CORMANN
* Born September 20, 1970, in the German-speaking Belgian town of of Eupen.
* Attained a law degree from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
* Participated in a one-year exchange to the UK were he learned English and decided to visit Australia.
* Aged 21 is elected to the council in Raeren, Belgium.
* After multiple visits to Australia decided to live in Perth permanently.
* He is married to Hayley and has two young daughters, Charlotte and Isabelle.
* Volunteered for the Liberal Party in the lead up to the 1996 election.
* Appointed chief of staff for then WA Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker in 1997.
* Became senior adviser to WA Premier Richard Court in 2000 then adviser to federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison in 2001.
* From 2003 - 2007 held senior management roles for private insurance companies HBF Health and Healthguard.
* After Ian Campbell's resignation from the Senate in 2007, Cormann filled the casual vacancy.
* While in opposition served as spokesman on employment, shadow assistant treasurer, financial services spokesman and chair of the Fuel and Energy Select Committee.
* Re-elected to the Senate in 2010.
* In 2013 appointed Finance Minister in the Tony Abbott-led Liberal government.
* Caught smoking a cigar with Joe Hockey after delivering controversial 2014 budget, causing outrage.
* Given additional roles of Special Minister of State in 2016 and Leader of the Government in the Senate in 2017.
* Personally opposes same-sex marriage in 2017, but votes for the legislation in the Senate following the same-sex marriage survey.
* Awarded Germany's highest award, The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, for furthering Australian-German relations in 2018.
* Pledged support for Turnbull during 2018 leadership coup, then backflipped and supported opponent Peter Dutton.
* Accused by Malcolm Turnbull of "blowing up" the former PM's government.
* After the leadership spill was reappointed Minister for Finance and the Public Service by new PM Scott Morrison.
* Announced on July 5 that he would be retiring from politics at the end of the year.
Australian Associated Press
