He was a Liberal Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 2002 to 2018, representing East Yarra Province (2002–2006) and Eastern Metropolitan Region (2006–2018).

He held various managerial roles at Woolworths Limited, before becoming the General Manager for a national food manufacturer.

[2] Dalla-Riva has demonstrated a keen interest in community work and is currently involved in the following community organisations: the Essendon Football Club; Melbourne Cricket Club; Veneto Club Melbourne; Australia Day Council Victoria Inc. Dalla-Riva is the former Vice President of Kindergarten Parents’ Victoria Inc.[citation needed] In 2000, Dalla-Riva began to take an active political role, becoming chairman of the Liberal Party's electorate council for East Yarra Province.

Dalla-Riva was appointed Shadow Minister for the corrections portfolio, covering the state's prison system.

In January 2004, Dalla-Riva was given the additional portfolio of scrutiny of government,[2] replacing David Davis, who had been recently promoted.

[4] As Minister, he has made a series of manufacturing related statements including: a Victorian manufacturing plant signing a contract to produce components for Nissan, the launch of a new TV series to promote Victoria's wine industry in China, a Victorian company securing a new major defence contract.