Born in Liverpool in the United Kingdom, he moved to Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia.He is one of 4 children of Rose McGrady (Nee Cain)from Bootle.
He was raised in Netherton (Dodge City) with siblings, Moira, Vincent and Colette.
He was Minister for Mines and Energy 1998–2001, moving to Police and Corrective Services in 2001 and to State Development and Innovation in 2004.
On 9 August 2005, he was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, succeeding Ray Hollis, who resigned from parliament.
McGrady was Speaker until the next election was called on 9 October 2006, after which he retired from state politics.