Joel Fitzgibbon was first elected to the Federal Parliament as Member for Hunter in March 1996 and, in October 1998, was appointed Shadow Minister for Small Business and Tourism.

After the November 2001 election, Joel served as the Shadow Minister for Resources and in July 2003 had Tourism added to his responsibilities again. Under Leader Mark Latham, Joel was appointed to the Mining, Energy and Forestry portfolios.

After the 2004 election, Joel was appointed Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Revenue, Shadow Minister for Banking & Financial Services. In July 2005, Small Business and Competition were added to his Assistant Treasurer and Revenue portfolios.

After Kevin Rudd was elected Labor Leader in December 2006, Joel was appointed Shadow Minister for Defence. He became Mininster for Defence after Labor's November 2007 federal election victory.

Prior to entering Parliament Joel spent 10 years in the motor industry as a small business operator. He also served eight years as a Councillor on Cessnock City Council including a term as Deputy Mayor. Joel is a former director of the Hunter-Manning Tourist Authority.

In 2004, Joel completed a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration at Newcastle University and has previously studied economics, politics and law at the University of New England, completed trade qualifications and studied small business at NSWTAFE.

Joel lives in Cessnock with his wife Dianne and their three children - Caitlin, Jack and Grace. Dianne has been a small business operator for twenty years in the personal services sector. Joel has a keen interest in sport and in his younger days played first-grade rugby league for Cessnock.