Cassandra Fernando
Australian Labor Party Member for Holt
Currently sitting
Photo: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Finance Transparency Portal), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - Holt (House) - 21 May 2022 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (03) 8790 0556
Shop 7, 1060 Thompsons Road, Cranbourne West VIC 3977
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
Cassandra Fernando compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 51% of House members- This member
- 13
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Lower than 57% of House members- This member
- 26
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Lower than 64% of House members- This member
- 232
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 67% of House members- This member
- 70%
- 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 Cassandra Fernando
The member asked what the government was doing to improve the budget and make the economy more resilient in the face of global uncertainty. She also asked about alternative approaches.
Background: Global economic uncertainty was increasing, with rising oil prices and interest rates.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer highlighted rising global interest rates and inflation due to the war in Iran, noting that Brent oil prices had risen 55 per cent. He stated that Australia had lower gross debt to GDP than other major advanced economies and one of the strongest budgets in the G20. He cited Australia's AAA sovereign credit rating and positive assessments from S&P and Moody's. He contrasted this with the opposition's unfunded commitments, arguing that responsible economic management shielded Australians from global volatility.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked about the progress being made in the economy and how it compared to alternative approaches.
Background: The member asked about economic progress and comparisons to other approaches.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer cited wage growth above three per cent, low unemployment, a record-low gender pay gap, and a decrease in insolvency rates. He noted that Moody's had reaffirmed Australia's AAA credit rating due to low debt ratios and conservative budgeting. He claimed that gross debt was $200 billion lower than the inherited trajectory, resulting in $70 billion less in interest payments. The Treasurer argued that the opposition's policies would have increased debt and deficits.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the expansion of paid practical training was addressing cost-of-living pressures and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Background: A government member asked about the impact of the paid practical training scheme on students and the workforce.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister explained that the paid prac scheme, introduced over a year ago, supports students in nursing, midwifery, teaching, and social work by providing income during their placements. He announced an expansion of the scheme to ten additional fields, including physiotherapy, psychology, pharmacy, and paramedicine. He stated that these measures provide immediate cost-of-living relief while building long-term workforce capacity, contrasting this with the opposition's previous promise to abolish the scheme.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked what measures starting that day would strengthen Medicare and deliver cost-of-living relief, citing previous neglect.
Background: The member asked about measures to strengthen Medicare and provide cost-of-living relief starting that day.
Answer from Mark Butler
The Minister highlighted a bulk-billing rate over 94 per cent in the member's electorate. He noted that public hospitals received $37 billion in funding, triple the previous agreement. He mentioned new menopause and perimenopause support items and clinics. He also stated that 10 new medicines were added to the PBS, including treatments for cancer, growth hormone deficiency, severe asthma, and myasthenia gravis.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the government was assisting early childhood teachers while maintaining affordable fees for families and what the response had been.
Background: The member asked about support for early educators and cost containment for parents.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister stated that a 15 per cent pay rise for childcare workers had reduced job vacancies by 31 per cent and increased applications by 30 per cent, adding 20,000 workers to the sector. He noted that childcare centres receiving extra funding were required to cap fees, saving the average family about $1,500 over two years. The Minister also announced a new condition requiring centres to meet the national safety standard to receive funding, aiming for 100 per cent compliance.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the government has fought for higher wages for minimum wage and award-reliant workers following a decade of suppressed wages.
Background: The member sought to highlight the government's record on wage increases after a decade of low wage growth under the previous administration.
Answer from Amanda Rishworth
The Minister stated that the Fair Work Commission granted a 4.75 per cent pay rise to 2.7 million workers covered by modern awards. She highlighted that those on the national minimum wage saw a six per cent boost, lifting their weekly pay above $1,000. She added that since the government assumed power, the national minimum wage has risen by over $12,000 annually, equating to a 12 per cent real wage gain. The Minister compared this with the opposition's rejection of real wage growth.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the government was taking practical action to protect Australians and crack down on unfair fees.
Background: Global instability was causing rising cost-of-living pressures.
Answer from Daniel Mulino
The Minister highlighted the halving of fuel excise and reduction of road user charges. He noted increased penalties for price gouging up to $100 million. He mentioned support for businesses through tax and banking flexibility. He listed legislative actions to ban unfair trading practices, subscription traps, and drip pricing. He also noted the Reserve Bank's decision to ban card surcharging.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member inquired how the government was fulfilling its pledge to enhance paid parental leave and what the risks were.
Background: Strengthening paid parental leave.
Answer from Tanya Plibersek
The Minister highlighted that paid parental leave is expanding to six months, with payments increased by $200 a week and superannuation included. She noted that recipients are $12,000 better off since 2022. She criticized the opposition for inconsistent and negative rhetoric regarding mothers and paid parental leave, contrasting this with the government's support for working families, cheaper childcare, and workplace flexibility.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the government was delivering for working women and what risks existed to these gains.
Background: The government had implemented changes to the Fair Work Act.
Answer from Amanda Rishworth
The Minister stated that the gender pay gap had fallen to 11.5 per cent, its lowest on record, down from 14.1 per cent under the previous government. She noted that women on enterprise agreements earned 12.4 per cent more. She identified the opposition as the primary risk, citing their criticism of wage increases and penalty rate protections. She highlighted that working women were benefiting from an average weekly increase of $255.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the government was strengthening paid parental leave and what approaches had been considered.
Background: The government had expanded paid parental leave.
Answer from Tanya Plibersek
The Minister stated that from 1 July, families would receive six months of paid parental leave. She noted that recipients were already $12,000 better off since 2022, with 180,000 families benefiting. She highlighted increased payments, superannuation contributions, and flexibility. She contrasted this with the opposition's past criticism of paid parental leave schemes.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member requested details on how the government was delivering on paid parental leave commitments and what other approaches were considered.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Social Services about strengthening paid parental leave.
Answer from Tanya Plibersek
The minister reported that paid parental leave recipients were $12,000 better off, with entitlements nearly doubled for 180,000 families annually. She highlighted additional weeks of leave, higher payments, superannuation contributions, and increased flexibility. She criticized the opposition for past derogatory comments about parents and for attempting to hijack debates on related legislation.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked how the budget was helping Australians with the cost of living and if there were any threats to this support.
Background: A government member asked the Treasurer how the budget was helping Australians with the cost of living and if there were any threats to this support.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer stated that the budget contained a comprehensive cost-of-living package including energy bill relief, cheaper medicines, student debt cuts, and strengthened Medicare. He noted that inflation was coming down, real wages were up, and unemployment was low. He criticized the opposition for wanting to increase taxes for every taxpayer and for having no ongoing cost-of-living help. He argued that the opposition's policies would make people worse off.
Question from Cassandra Fernando
The member asked what the government was doing to support women with the cost of living and whether any threats to this support existed.
Background: A government member asked the Minister representing Women about support for women facing cost-of-living pressures and potential threats.
Answer from Catherine King
The Minister stated that the government had increased wages in female-dominated industries like aged care and early childhood education, delivered cheaper childcare, and added contraceptives and menopause treatments to the PBS. She noted over $4 billion invested in women's safety and expanded paid parental leave, resulting in women receiving $217 more per week on average compared to May 2022. She warned that the opposition's history of cuts threatened these gains, potentially affecting wages, childcare access, and superannuation benefits for women.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Workplace Relations
House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Tertiary Education and Training
House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Key Apprenticeship Program
House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Early Childhood Education
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Thursday 4 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Holt Local Business Excellence Awards, National Volunteer Week, Holt Electorate: Civics Education
House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Free TAFE Program
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026, Superannuation (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Imposition Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Skills Agreement
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
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
-
Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch)
House of Representatives · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 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
-
Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cost of Living
House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Apprenticeships
House of Representatives · Monday 10 February 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Asylum Seekers, Albanese Government
House of Representatives · Tuesday 4 February 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
- Votes recorded
- 232
- Aye votes (48.7%)
- 113
- No votes (51.3%)
- 119
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 -
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 -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 34 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Economy
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Considerati...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Report from Federation Cha...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 90 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bi...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 80 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Report from Federation Chamber
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 84 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Report from Federation Chamber
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 10, Noes 67 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 83, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 65 · Failed
VOTED NO -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 69 · Failed
VOTED NO -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026; Second Reading
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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
About this page
This page tracks Cassandra Fernando'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.