Mr Laurance spent 14 years as a Member of the Western Australian Parliament and is a former State Minister for Housing, Tourism, Lands and Regional Development. He was appointed by the Western Australian Government as the Inaugural Chairman of the Midland Redevelopment Authority and was previously Chairman of the Western Australian Sports Centre Trust for ten years. He also chaired the publicly listed mining company, Arafura Resources Ltd. for several years. Mr. Laurance also spent seven years as Chairman of the industry body, Business Events Perth. In a voluntary capacity, Mr. Laurance has served as Chairman and Director of several not-for-profit and charitable bodies. In 2006 Mr. Laurance was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
