Stevenson was born in Newcastle, New South Wales and worked as a photogrammatist, company director, an operator of health centres and trainer in sales, marketing, public speaking and motivation. He has also worked as a life coach, business consultant, counselor and laborer. Immediately prior to his parliamentary career he served in the NSW Police Force from 1965 to 1973,[1] primarily training personnel in intelligence matters. Stevenson served in the reserve forces of the Australian Army between 1966 and 1973.[1]
Following his election to the ACT Legislative Assembly, Stevenson worked on many issues including abolishing the newly established self-government in the Australian Capital Territory, campaigning against the Hare-Clark voting system,[citation needed] for the introduction of citizens' initiated referendums,[citation needed] banning computer porn and the fledgling pornography industry in the ACT[3] and other human-rights issues. After resigning from the assembly in 1995 he traveled extensively before returning to Canberra.
Since his political career Stevenson moved to Queensland and campaigned on civil-liberties issues including against the water fluoridation[4] and highlighting the decline of Australian democracy.[citation needed] Stevenson was the compere at the Inverell Forum between 1992 and 2008.[5]