Barbara Pocock
Australian Greens Senator for SA
Currently sitting
Photo: Alice Healy, CC BY-SA 2.5 au, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Greens - SA (Senate) - 21 May 2022 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (08) 8272 7575
Level 1, 110 King William Road, Goodwood SA 5034
Office details: Parliament of Australia, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Contact details on aph.gov.au Profile on OpenAustraliaThese counts cover what is on this site only. They do not measure electorate work or committee work.
Compared with other members
Barbara Pocock compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Lower than 66% of senators- This member
- 6
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Higher than 64% of senators- This member
- 47
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Higher than 99% of senators- This member
- 1118
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 97% of senators- This member
- 100%
- Average
- 69%
- Median
- 69%
Read these with care
- The median is the middle member: half did more, half did less. It is less affected by a few very active members than the average.
- Ministers answer questions rather than ask them, and the presiding officers rarely vote, so their patterns differ.
- Government backbenchers are often given arranged "Dorothy Dixer" questions, which raises their question counts.
- Votes only record ayes and noes, so a missed vote cannot be told apart from a pair (an agreed absence).
- Counts cover only what is on this site, and do not measure electorate or committee work. New members have less history.
Question Time
Question from Barbara Pocock
The senator asked what the government would say to a worker facing potential homelessness due to rising rents, and why the government had not implemented rent caps or freezes to address the rental crisis.
Background: A nurse described severe housing insecurity and high rent costs, prompting a question about the government's failure to cap rents despite rising costs outpacing wages.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister argued that rent caps hinder new home construction and are ineffective policy measures. He highlighted the government's agenda to deliver 55,000 social and affordable rental homes and 100,000 homes for first-home buyers. He criticized the Greens for blocking the Housing Affordability Future Fund legislation and noted $47 billion in measures for home construction.
Question from Barbara Pocock
The member asked how the government could allow property investors to exploit the five per cent deposit scheme during a housing crisis. She questioned the effectiveness of the Housing Australia Future Fund given that social housing stock grew by only 56 houses last year, and asked how the government addressed the needs of 640,000 Australians in extreme housing stress.
Background: The member criticised the five per cent deposit scheme for allegedly turbocharging prices and allowing investors to flip homes, and cited low growth in social housing stock.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that 270,000 Australians, mostly young people, had accessed homes through the scheme, and dismissed claims about flipping as hyperbolic. He cited individual success stories of first home buyers. In response to questions about social housing, he noted that over 660,000 homes had been constructed since the government was elected, with more than 7,000 completed with Commonwealth investment. He highlighted a $47 billion program for social and affordable housing and provided another example of a first home buyer in Melbourne who used the scheme to purchase a unit.
Question from Barbara Pocock
The senator asked whether KPMG should retain its ethics training contract given its ethical failures. She followed up by asking if Peter de Cure, the TPB chair and former KPMG partner, should recuse himself from investigating KPMG due to a conflict of interest. Finally, she asked if the government would commit to structural reforms to regulate big four firms like corporations.
Background: KPMG has faced allegations of unethical behaviour, including lying to parliament and mistreating whistleblowers. Senator Pocock asked if KPMG should continue to be contracted for $1.3 million to provide ethics training to public sector leaders.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that existing contracts were entered into prior to the current concerns and that there is no evidence of unethical behaviour in current government contracts. She noted that ministers cannot cancel contracts as it would be unlawful. She confirmed a pause on new KPMG contracts until a review led by Dr Ian Watt is completed. Regarding the TPB chair, she stated she expected the board to manage any conflicts of interest appropriately. She noted that the Assistant Treasurer is releasing a discussion paper on regulating these firms.
Question from Barbara Pocock
The member asked whether the government would commit to scrapping tax breaks for property investors in the May budget to address housing inequality.
Background: The government faced criticism for allocating $53 billion to tax breaks for affluent property owners, with assertions that this exacerbated the housing crisis.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that tax policy announcements would be made in the budget, but the government's focus remained on delivering tax cuts for every taxpayer. He argued that intergenerational equity was addressed through these tax cuts and that the government's housing agenda focused on increasing supply through the Housing Affordability and Future Fund and other measures.
Question from Barbara Pocock
The member asked why the government was backing wealthy investors over first-home buyers. She requested an explanation for not winding back tax advantages for investors and argued that the five per cent deposit scheme was driving up prices.
Background: House prices rose 6.1 per cent over the year. The member argued that tax breaks for investors and the five per cent deposit scheme were worsening the crisis.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated the government was focused on supply and supporting first-home buyers with the five per cent deposit scheme. He criticized the Greens for protesting housing developments and the opposition for inconsistent policies. He did not address the reform of investor tax breaks, instead emphasizing the benefits of the deposit scheme for young people.
Question from Barbara Pocock
The senator asked whether the minister supported the decision to allow PwC to bid for government contracts again, given ongoing investigations and the firm's previous misconduct.
Background: PwC had been excluded from government contracts for 16 months following revelations that it used confidential information to help multinationals avoid tax, but was recently allowed to bid again.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that ministers do not make procurement decisions, which are left to the public service. She explained that PwC had entered a voluntary agreement to pause bidding while the Department of Finance sought assurances. The department advised that, with those assurances in place, it was appropriate to allow PwC to bid, though this did not guarantee contract awards. She highlighted new measures like the Supplier Code of Conduct to strengthen oversight.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Superannuation
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
KPMG Australia
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
KPMG Australia
Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation
Senate · Monday 30 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Middle East
Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation
Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, Environment Information Australia Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Customs Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Excise Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (General Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 27 November 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Domestic and Family Violence
Senate · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025, Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025, Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 3 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 3 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Climate Change
Senate · Monday 3 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Ban Unethical Contractors) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Ban Unethical Contractors) Bill 2025; First Reading
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
South Australia: Marine Environment
Senate · Thursday 31 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Senate · Tuesday 29 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 24 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
AUKUS
Senate · Thursday 24 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Tuesday 11 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
United States of America
Senate · Tuesday 4 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 1118
- Aye votes (57.6%)
- 644
- No votes (42.4%)
- 474
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Read
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Read
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Read
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 30, Noes 24 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Corruption in the Construction Industry Select Committee; Appointment
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Migration
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 19, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Manufacturing Industry
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 30, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Maritime Industry; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Census; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
ASECA Judicial Seminar; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Middle East; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
North to East Australia Pipeline; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 18, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee; Appointment
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee; Appointment
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Improved Native Forest Management; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Middle East
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Amendment (No Jab No Pay Repeal) Bill 20...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 6, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Economy
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Australian Federal Police; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Trade Unions; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Cybersafety Legislation; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Executive Remuneration; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Waste Management and Recycling; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill 2026; First Reading
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Artificial Intelligence
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account)...
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Water
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cost of Living
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Digital Seller Underperformance Policy; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Care; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Intergenerational Trust Fund for the People of the Republic of Nauru; Order f...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account)...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account)...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026; Th...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026; Se...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 19, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Barbara Pocock's parliamentary activity: questions asked and answered in Question Time, debates spoken in, and votes in divisions. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; each one links to the official record.