[2] Prior to his entry in to politics, Stephens was a company director for 20 years, and was involved in community activities, being a life member of South Whyalla Football Club, life member of the Whyalla Football League, patron of Norwood District Basketball Club, a City of Whyalla Councillor, a member of the Whyalla Chamber of Commerce, and chair of the Westlands Traders Association.
He held the role of Shadow Parliamentary Secretary assisting with Industry and Trade, Economic Development and Police from April 2006 to April 2007, was the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Liberal Leader for Business Regulation and Red Tape, and Sport, Recreation & Racing to September 2008, then Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader for Sport, Recreation and Racing, Small Business, and Red Tape Reduction until July 2009.
[3] Stephens became Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Recreation & Sport, Racing, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in April 2014.
[2] When the Liberal Party won the 2018 election, Stephens was appointed as Government Whip in the Legislative Council.
In February 2020, he replaced Andrew McLachlan as President of the South Australian Legislative Council.