Born in 1948. Carinthia. Mag.phil, PhD, Professor of Education at the Carinthia College of Education; Member of the European Parliament from 1996 to 2004, 2006 to 2009 and from April 2011; Transport and Security spokesman, ÖVP Delegation, European Parliament (2006-2009); Security spokesman (coordinator), EPP Group (1999-2004); Deputy Head of ÖVP Delegation, European Parliament (1996-2004); Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula (2006-2009); Chair of the Initiative against Organized Crime (Stability Pact for South-East Europe) (2004-2006); Member of the Austrian Parliament (1990-1994); Regional Chair of the Austrian Employees' Federation (ÖAAB), Carinthia (1989-2009); Regional Party Chair, ÖVP Carinthia (2004-2009); ÖVP spokesman on security (1990-1994); ÖVP spokesman on EU security security (1994-1996). Grand Gold Decoration with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of Austria. MEP since 2011.