Sid Sidebottom has lived on the North West Coast of Tasmania since 1975, is married and has two sons. He lives in the village of Forth in a cottage built in 1875.
Mr Sidebottom was a senior secondary college teacher and administrator until 1998 when he was elected to Federal Parliament as the Labor MP for Braddon.
He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Tasmania and has successfully completed post-graduate studies in International Relations through Deakin University.
Mr Sidebottom has been an ALP member since 1991. He served as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Primary Industries from 2001 to 2003 and Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries from 2003 to 2004.
Mr Sidebottom was appointed to the Speakers' Panel of the House of Representatives in 2008 and is a member of the House of Representatives Procedures Committee.
In addition, he has served as Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Regional Australia Committee representing the Minister for Regional Australia, the Hon Simon Crean MP.
He is an active member of Labor's Caucus committees associated with agriculture, resources, regional development, education and training, and health and social policy. In Tasmania, Mr Sidebottom is Chairman of the Tasmanian Black Spot Consultative Panel.
Mr Sidebottom is a keen supporter of the performing arts and sports in his local community. He is an experienced director of musical theatre and an enthusiastic thespian.
Mr Sidebottom was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 14 December 2011.
