Basem Abdo
Australian Labor Party Member for Calwell
Currently sitting
Photo: Alison Newman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - Calwell (House) - 3 May 2025 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (03) 9367 5216
14 Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows VIC 3047
Office details: Parliament of Australia, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Contact details on aph.gov.au Profile on OpenAustraliaNot sure if this is your member? Find your electorate (AEC)
These counts cover what is on this site only. They do not measure electorate work or committee work.
Compared with other members
Basem Abdo compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Same as the median- This member
- 12
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Lower than 71% of House members- This member
- 20
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Higher than 53% of House members- This member
- 271
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 69% of House members- This member
- 94%
- Average
- 79%
- Median
- 81%
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 Basem Abdo
The member asked what actions the government was taking to improve the budget and how this compared to international approaches.
Background: A government member asked the Treasurer about budget improvements and comparisons with other countries.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer highlighted the upcoming Intergenerational Report, which projected an improvement in the cash balance by 1.2 percentage points of GDP and a decline in gross debt from 33.1 per cent to 22.2 per cent of GDP by 2062-63. He noted that all three major ratings agencies still gave Australia a stable AAA credit rating. He attributed these improvements to responsible economic management, debt reduction, and structural reforms.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the government was protecting youth from social media harms and what was preventing big tech from complying with Australian law.
Background: The member asked about protecting young Australians from social media harms and holding tech giants accountable.
Answer from Anika Wells
The Minister reported that over five million underage accounts had been deactivated or restricted. She cited a YouGov survey indicating improvements in sleep, sports participation, and reductions in bullying and exposure to violent content among young Australians. She criticised platforms for using tactics to evade age verification and noted the introduction of a bill on 1 July to strengthen eSafety's powers and double penalties for non-compliance. She urged the opposition and Greens to pass the bill, which had been recommended by a Senate inquiry.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked what measures the government was taking to support healthcare students and why these policies were superior to alternatives.
Background: A government member asked about support for students training as frontline healthcare workers.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister explained that unpaid practical training often forced students to give up paid work or incur additional living costs, leading some to drop out. He detailed the expansion of paid prac to ten new health-related fields, including physiotherapy, psychology, and paramedicine. He contrasted this with the opposition's plan to increase student debt, noting that the government had reduced student debt by 20 per cent and was providing direct cost-of-living support to future healthcare workers.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the government was helping Australians with the cost of living and how this compared to other political approaches.
Background: The member asked about government actions to assist with the cost of living.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer announced an extension of fuel excise relief for one month, saving Australians approximately $11 per tank. He highlighted five tax cuts for 13.3 million workers and a six per cent increase in the national minimum wage, effective the following week. He noted that tax cuts for over 14 million Australians would begin rolling out. The Treasurer contrasted these measures with the opposition's voting record, claiming they opposed higher wages and lower taxes.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the budget enhances fuel security and protects families from global energy shocks, and what policies would leave Australians more exposed.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy how the budget strengthens fuel security and protects families from energy shocks.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The Minister stated that the budget builds a sovereign fuel stock and supports households in diversifying energy choices, such as buying electric vehicles and installing home batteries. He noted that 398,123 households had installed cheaper home batteries, with 400,000 expected soon. He criticized the Opposition for opposing these measures and for suggesting they should be paused or means-tested. He highlighted high take-up rates in regional areas like Mallee, contradicting claims of low regional uptake.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked for an update on fuel supply and how the government had acted to strengthen it.
Background: Concerns persisted regarding fuel supply security and government response.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister announced changes to fuel security services payments to keep two existing refineries operating. He also announced a change to diesel standards, allowing a lower flashpoint of 60.5 degrees to increase import flexibility. He reiterated that 20 per cent of the minimum stock obligation had been released to boost supply, emphasizing that these were practical measures taken in response to international uncertainty.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how record investments in bulk-billing were strengthening Medicare.
Background: The government has invested in bulk-billing to strengthen Medicare after previous cuts.
Answer from Mark Butler
The Minister stated that bulk-billing rates for pensioners, concession card holders, and kids are back above 90 per cent due to tripled incentives. He highlighted three major increases to the Medicare rebate and the introduction of bulk-billing support for all Australians. He cited a specific medical center in Calwell that now bulk-bills all patients, up from half previously.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the government is increasing access to bulk-billing and why this is important after years of neglect.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Health how the government is delivering on commitments to increase bulk-billing access after a decade of cuts, noting the member's personal experience with the healthcare system.
Answer from Mark Butler
The Minister noted that in the member's electorate, the proportion of GP clinics bulk-billing all patients had risen from fewer than 40 per cent to over 75 per cent in a few days. He attributed the previous decline in bulk-billing to the former government freezing Medicare rebates for four years. He stated that the current government has delivered the three largest Medicare rebate increases in 30 years and tripled the bulk-billing incentive for pensioners, concession card holders, and children, raising their bulk-billing rate to 92 per cent. He announced that from that weekend, bulk-billing support was extended to all Australians, with over 1,000 practices switching to full bulk-billing.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the free TAFE program is helping Australians pursue qualifications and how Australians have responded.
Background: The question sought to highlight the success of the free TAFE program.
Answer from Andrew Giles
The Minister reported 685,000 free TAFE enrolments and 190,000 course completions. He cited savings for students, such as $15,000 for nursing diplomas in Queensland. He emphasized that Australians voted for free TAFE and are enrolling in large numbers, contrasting this with opposition criticism and claims that the program drains resources.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked for an update on the Economic Reform Roundtable's progress, particularly in accelerating housing approvals.
Background: A government member asked the Treasurer about progress at the Economic Reform Roundtable, specifically regarding faster housing construction.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer reported that housing approvals had increased by nearly 30 per cent compared to the previous year. He listed ten priority reform areas agreed upon at the roundtable: housing, a single market, simpler trade and tariffs, better regulation, faster approvals, AI as a national priority, investment attraction, skills, tax, and government modernisation. He noted that actions were already being developed from these priorities, including recent announcements on housing approvals. He emphasized that improving productivity and budget sustainability were key to long-term living standards.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked what the government was doing to create a more equitable and improved education system and enhance student wellbeing, and what other approaches were being considered.
Background: A government member asked about the government's actions to improve the education system and student wellbeing.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister reported improvements in NAPLAN literacy and numeracy results, the first in nearly 10 years. He noted that one in three children from poor or regional families were below minimum standards, prompting agreements with states and territories for targeted funding. Reforms included phonics and numeracy checks in Year 1, evidence-based teaching, and catch-up tutoring. He also mentioned the ban on mobile phones in schools and ongoing social media reforms to protect children's mental health.
Question from Basem Abdo
The member asked how the government was delivering on its commitment to fix aged care and ensure dignity for older Australians.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors about delivering on promises to repair the aged care sector.
Answer from Sam Rae
The Minister highlighted the introduction of legislation to implement the Aged Care Act 2024, delivering 58 royal commission recommendations. He noted that 24/7 nursing is now mandated, with registered nurses onsite 99 per cent of the time, and an additional 6.8 million care minutes delivered daily. He cited $17.7 billion invested in worker wages, resulting in weekly pay increases for nurses and care workers, and noted that three-quarters of homes now have four or five-star ratings.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Artificial Intelligence
House of Representatives · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Sovereign Capability
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Employment
House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026, Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Migration
House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach Attack Victims
House of Representatives · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Energy
House of Representatives · Thursday 27 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 29 October 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Medicare
House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 8 October 2025 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Skills Week
House of Representatives · Monday 25 August 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
- Votes recorded
- 271
- Aye votes (47.6%)
- 129
- No votes (52.4%)
- 142
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 40 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 89 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 9, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 45, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 13 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 49, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Consideration of Legislation
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 69, Noes 10 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Albanese Government; Attempted Censure
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 37 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Improved Forest Management in Multi...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 52, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Gun Control
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Veterans
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 49 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Third Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 103, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 102, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 62 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 58 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 61 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 58 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 95 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel; Attempted Censure
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Reference to Federation Chamber
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED NO -
International Relations: Australia and Japan
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 74, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026;...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 71, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee; Reference
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 78 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee; Reference
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 72, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Appointment
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 101 · Failed
VOTED NO -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 33 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 100, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 101, Noes 7 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 9, Noes 64 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Basem Abdo'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.