Mr Vaile was Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Federal National Party from June 2005 to November 2007. As Australia's Minister for Trade from July 1999 to September 2006, Mr Vaile was responsible for negotiating Australia's free trade agreements with the United States, Singapore and Thailand and led Australia's drive to free up global trade through the World Trade Organization. Mr Vaile has also held the ministerial portfolios of Transport and Regional Development (twice) and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (1998-1999).
Mr Vaile, who served as an elected member of the Australian Parliament since 1993, retired from political life in July 2008 to pursue a career in the private sector. In recognition of his distinguished service during his political career (including the successful pursuant of global trade and investment opportunities), the Commonwealth of Australia awarded Mr Vaile the Order of Australia in 2012.
Mr Vaile is the Chairman of Palisade Investment Partners Limited, the Non-Executive Chairman of Whitehaven Coal Limited and the Non- Executive Director of Servcorp Limited. He is also a director on the Host Plus Pty Limited as Trustees of HostPlus Superannuation Fund.