During the parliamentary eligibility crisis of 2017, it came to public attention that Keenan had acquired British citizenship by descent at birth, which he renounced before the 2004 election.

He had previously worked as an adviser to Senator Amanda Vanstone and was deputy director of the Liberal Party of Western Australia.

Keenan appeared with Liberal MP Luke Simpkins, the incumbent in Cowan whose seat was challenged by Aly, to make accusations against her.

[7][8] As justice minister, Keenan oversaw the first national firearms amnesty since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

[12][13] On 25 January 2019 he announced that he would not contest the 2019 election, to spend more time with his family after 15 years in parliament.