Howard himself entered state parliament at the 1968 election and served for 11 years.

Venning attended Crystal Brook Primary School and Prince Alfred College in Adelaide, and worked on the family farm until 1966, when he was called up for National Service, serving in the Royal Australian Artillery as a gunner, operator and batman to the Commanding Officer III Battery.

Venning also served for 10 years in local government, and is a Justice of the Peace.

The seat was abolished in place of Schubert in time for the 1997 state election.

In 1994, Venning was elected as Chair of the Environment, Resources and Development (ERD) Committee—a position he held for four years, and has served in the committee since 2006.