Anthony grew up on the northside of Brisbane attending Wavell State High School.

Prior to being elected, Anthony has had an active role in Queensland politics serving as Queensland Labor State Secretary between 2008 and 2014, before taking on the role of Campaign Director for the 2015 Queensland State Election, which saw the Palaszczuk Government sweep to power.

Anthony attended Griffith University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. Throughout his university years and in his working life, Anthony has maintained strong community involvement through his work with charities from his local community on the northside of Brisbane.

Anthony was elected to the Senate in 2016 and then re-elected in 2022.

During the first term of the Albanese Government, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as the Assistant Minister for Education and the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, and in July 2024 was sworn in as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Following the 2025 Federal Election, Anthony retained his Regional Development and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolios, but was also sworn in as the Assistant Minister for Resources.

Coming from a vast, decentralised State like Queensland, Anthony is passionate about ensuring secure employment, affordable healthcare and necessary access to services are available to all - no matter where they live.

As a Senator for Queensland and Assistant Minister in the Albanese Labor Government, Anthony is committed to providing a strong Labor voice for working people throughout the State and across the country.