Bill Heffernan was born in the Riverina town of Junee in southwest NSW. After attending high school in Sydney, he returned to Junee to work on the family property, soon becoming a successful diversified large-scale farmer.
His political career began in local government. In 1984, he was elected to the Junee Shire Council, becoming President in 1989-90 and again in 1991-93. Bill Heffernan joined the Liberal Party in 1985 and in 1993, he became the second rural based President of the NSW Division in the history of the Party.
Bill Heffernan was appointed to the Senate on 18 September 1996 and has held the following positions:
- Deputy Government Whip
- Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet
- Chair of Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
In 2007, Bill Heffernan was appointed Chairman of the Prime Minister's Taskforce to examine the potential and opportunities for further land and water development in Northern Australia.
Current positions:
- Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Agricultural & Related Industries
- Chair of the Coalition Infrastructure, Rural & Regional Affairs Policy Committee
- Member of Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
- Member of Joint House Committee
Senator Heffernan brings to the Senate a wide range of experience, reflected by his extensive understanding and knowledge of rural and regional issues.