 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.Because the Liberals lost the 2002 state election to the Labor Party, and Labor retained government at subsequent elections, Stephens was a member of the opposition until the 2018 South Australian state election was won by the Liberals.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.