After graduation, Simmons taught at Tullibigeal Central, Bletchington and Broken Hill North before changing to secondary teaching and transferring to Bathurst High School where he became Head Teacher of Social Science. He had also completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Education with honours from the University of New England.[2]
During the National Tax Summit in 1985, Simmons initially raised the concept of a national identity card, later entitled as the Australia Card, as a measure to address community and government concern about tax evasion and tax avoidance; concerns over the extent of welfare fraud; fears over the extent of illegal immigration. Additionally, there was a belief expressed in some quarters that an identity card or national registration procedure might assist the government's administration processes.[4] Legislation was introduced into Parliament and finally rejected by the Australian Senate in 1987 after significant community concerns, including privacy.[5] Following his retirement from Parliament, Simmons conceded that he didn't think the concept would ever be accepted by the public.[2]
During his Parliamentary career, Simmons was the Australian representative at the UN in New York for three months and delivered an address on the apartheid policy in South Africa.[2]
He served as the independent chair, Western NSW Medicare Local, 2012–15 and served
as a director of Western Health Alliance t/a Western NSW PHN from 2015 to 2019.
In October 2017 he was appointed as the independent chair, Asthma Australia Ltd.
During 2006, Simmons was appointed by the NSW Minister for Local Government to undertake a formal public inquiry into Broken Hill City Council.[9]
Simmons' wife, Kaye, has also held positions in the New South Wales division of the Labor Party. In 2006, it was reported that she was on the ALP administrative committee and served as campaign manager for Jodi McKay, Labor candidate and subsequent Member for Newcastle.[10]
Honours
In 2001, Simmons was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the Australian Parliament and the community of the Hunter Region.[11]
References
^"Panorama"(PDF). A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Bathurst Teachers' College, Issue 16. Charles Sturt University. August 2009. Archived from the original(PDF) on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
^ abcd"Panorama"(PDF). A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Bathurst Teachers' College, Issue 16. Charles Sturt University. August 2009. Archived from the original(PDF) on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2010.