Martin was the first elected to the Victorian Parliament as the Member for Dromana 1996 and then re-elected in 1999. Following a redistribution Dromana electorate was abolished, he was then elected as the first Member for Nepean in November 2002 and re-elected in 2006 and 2010.
  
 Martin was educated at Marcellin College and has completed a Diploma of Teaching at the Australian Catholic University and a Bachelor of Education from La Trobe University.

Following four years in a teaching role, Martin became a primary school principal, a position he held for 15 years at three different schools. Between 1995 and 1996 Martin was the Deputy Chairman of Primary Education at the Catholic Education Office in Melbourne.
  
 Martin has been involved with local community organisations for a number of years and has held memberships to the Wongabeena Association, the Rotary Club of Rye and the Clean Ocean Foundation. He is an honorary member of the Rye RSL and of the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club, and is a coterie member of the Rye Football Club

Martin held various portfolio positions in opposition including Shadow Ministerial responsibilities for Tourism, Community Services, Skills, Education Services & Employment, Innovation and Veterans’ Affairs. In August 2007 Martin was made the Shadow Minister for Education.

Martin is the current Victorian Minister for Education.

Together with his wife Chris and two children, he has lived in Rye for more than 25 years.