Wellington grew up on his family's farm at Belli Park. Before entering parliament, Wellington was a police officer, and a solicitor. His first success in politics was when he was elected to a seat on the Maroochy Shire council.
Wellington's defeat of the incumbent National Party candidate Neil Turner in the closely contested 1998 election reflected the instability in Queensland politics at the time. Nationals Premier Rob Borbidge could theoretically have formed government with the backing of Wellington, Gladstone indepedent Liz Cunningham, and the eleven elected members of the One Nation Party. After some deliberation however, Wellington chose to back the Australian Labor Party on matters of supply and confidence, although he would withdraw that support in the event of "any evidence of gross fraud, misappropriation or illegal activities." As a result, state ALP leader Peter Beattie was able to form a minority government.
Wellington held the balance of power for only a few months, until One Nation MP Charles Rappolt resigned from Parliament. ALP candidate Warren Pitt won the resulting by-election, and the ALP was able to form government in its own right.
Despite the loss of the balance of power, Wellington remains popular in his electorate. At the 2006 state election, he was able to easily see off National Party challenger Steve Morrison in order to secure a fourth term.
Wellington made headlines again in 2001 when he was severely injured in a farming accident which crushed both of his legs. He suffered a broken collarbone, pelvis, as well as head and leg injuries, and it was at first feared that he would lose one or both of his legs. However, he pulled through without the need for any amputation, and rejoined parliament a couple of months after the accident.
Wellington currently serves on both the Estimates Committee and the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee within Parliament.
