Charlotte Walker
Australian Labor Party Senator for SA
Currently sitting
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - SA (Senate) - 3 May 2025 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (08) 8205 1040
Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Level 27, Festival Tower, Station Road, Adelaide SA 5000
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
Charlotte Walker compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 58% of senators- This member
- 13
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Lower than 64% of senators- This member
- 32
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Higher than 68% of senators- This member
- 938
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 84% of senators- This member
- 94%
- 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 Charlotte Walker
The member asked how these changes were helping Australians buy their first home. She later asked what economists and stakeholders were saying about the reforms and how the government's policy compared with others.
Background: The government announced reforms to help first home buyers, including limiting negative gearing and replacing the capital gains tax discount.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that house prices had risen by 400 per cent since 1999 and that the government was setting a target of 1.2 million homes. He highlighted reforms including limiting negative gearing to new builds and expanding the five per cent home deposit scheme. He cited support from organizations like ACOSS and National Shelter, and noted that NAB's chief economist predicted owner-occupiers would benefit.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The senator asked how the government is listening to young Australians and addressing their concerns about economic security. She asked for an update on government actions to support youth and what obstacles remain to their economic future.
Background: 150 young Australians were attending the first National Youth Parliament in Canberra, raising concerns about cost of living, housing, and financial security.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister highlighted government actions including five consecutive minimum wage rises, protections for gig economy workers, and the criminalization of wage theft. She noted tax cuts and housing reforms designed to help young people buy homes. The minister also mentioned a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt and free TAFE access. She identified opposition parties and One Nation as the primary obstacles, citing their opposition to wage increases, free TAFE, and housing support.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked for an update on the H5 bird flu detections and how the government was coordinating with states and industry. She sought details on preparedness measures, surveillance, and biosecurity arrangements.
Background: H5 bird flu had been detected in South Australia and Western Australia, prompting concerns about wildlife and agricultural impacts.
Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy
The minister confirmed three detections in migratory seabirds, with no evidence of mass wildlife mortality or infection in poultry. She stated that national biosecurity response arrangements were activated, with states leading on-ground responses supported by the Commonwealth. She highlighted a $113 million investment for readiness within more than $2 billion of biosecurity funding. She noted that a whole-of-government taskforce had been established in 2024 and six national simulation exercises had been conducted.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked the minister to update the Senate on how the government was addressing young Australians' concerns about housing affordability and cost of living. She specifically asked how the budget helped young people earn more and keep more of their income.
Background: The member asked how the government was listening to young people and building a fairer future for them, particularly regarding housing and cost of living.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister stated that the budget took responsible action to help young Australians enter the housing market through increased supply and tax reforms that levelled the playing field for first home buyers. She noted that tax benefits for investing in new builds remained available. Regarding wages, she highlighted the rollout of legislated tax cuts, including a $1,000 instant tax deduction and the Working Australians Tax Offset. The minister pointed out that the national minimum wage had increased by more than $9,000 a year since Labor took office, allowing young workers to keep more of what they earned.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The senator asked for an update on the progress of the housing strike team, including how many new homes had been approved. She also asked how the government was ensuring environmental protection while approving homes and how new environmental laws would smooth approval pathways.
Background: The government set up a housing strike team to accelerate project approvals.
Answer from Murray Watt; Penny Wong
The minister stated that 26 housing projects supporting 19,889 new homes had been approved since the strike team's announcement in August 2025. He noted that approvals included conditions to protect threatened species, such as the Sloan's froglet. He highlighted that reforms to the EPBC Act would streamline assessments, and that 79 housing projects totaling 62,000 homes had been approved since the government took office.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked the minister to outline how the government was working to advance gender equality and what progress had been made. She also asked for key findings from the annual Status of Women Report Card and why women's representation in decision-making was important.
Background: International Women's Day was marked with a focus on balancing scales for gender equality.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister highlighted investments in paid parental leave extending to 26 weeks by 2026, subsidised childcare, and wage increases in feminised industries. She noted that the Status of Women Report Card showed Australia rising from 43rd to 13th in global gender equality rankings, with a narrowing gender pay gap of 11.2 per cent. She emphasised that women's representation in government, now at 56 per cent, was crucial for driving further progress and ensuring equal opportunities for future generations.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked how many Australians had signed up for apprenticeships under the Key Apprenticeship Program. She also asked if there were any risks to the program.
Background: The government introduced the Key Apprenticeship Program to address skills shortages in housing and clean energy.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister reported that nearly 30,000 Australians had signed up for apprenticeships under the program, which offers $10,000 incentives. He noted the clean energy stream had an 85 per cent retention rate after the first year. He criticized the opposition for proposing to scrap the program, citing a secret Liberal Party review.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked what specific measures the government was delivering to help Australians get ahead, including details on wages, unemployment, housing, and healthcare. She also inquired about actions taken to address climate change while managing cost-of-living pressures, and asked what obstacles stood in the way of government delivery.
Background: Senator Walker asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister to outline the government's achievements in delivering cost-of-living relief, healthcare, housing, and energy support.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister highlighted record low unemployment, 1.2 million jobs created, and the smallest gender pay gap. She cited a landmark agreement in South Australia to release 17,000 new dwellings, with 7,000 for first-home buyers, and $2 billion in additional public hospital funding. She noted that over 200,000 cheaper home batteries had been installed since 1 July, with South Australia leading in per capita installations. The minister attributed delays in delivery to opposition from the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked about the progress of the HECS debt cut commitment and other measures to support young Australians with cost-of-living pressures.
Background: The government had promised to cut HECS debt by 20 per cent to provide cost-of-living relief.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister confirmed that 3 million Australians would have their HECS debt reduced by an average of $5,500. She stated that notifications were being sent to students in waves. She also highlighted free TAFE and paid practical placements as part of the government's support for young people, contrasting this with the opposition's stance.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked the minister to detail the government's actions to deliver on its election commitments regarding cost-of-living pressures and healthcare.
Background: The question invited the government to outline its progress on cost-of-living relief and Medicare commitments.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister listed recent legislative achievements, including the payday super bill, Baby Priya's bill for parental leave protection, and tripled bulk-billing incentives for Medicare. She also mentioned the women's health package, cheaper medicines, income tax cuts, and a 20 per cent reduction in student debt. In supplementary answers, she addressed housing affordability, criticizing the opposition's lack of serious policy and highlighting internal Liberal Party divisions over climate policy.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member asked how the government was tackling abusive technologies and protecting the community from stalking, nudity, and deepfake apps.
Background: The government was implementing social media minimum age limits and addressing online harms like deepfakes and stalking.
Answer from Don Farrell
The minister stated the government was taking a proactive approach to protect vulnerable Australians from deepfake and stalking apps, which had doubled in use over 18 months. He noted that one in every classroom had a victim of deepfake abuse. The government would work with industry to develop reforms alongside the digital duty of care, complementing existing laws prohibiting stalking and non-consensual explicit material distribution. He emphasized the commitment to restricting access to these apps to give parents peace of mind.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The senator asked how the government intended to continue supporting Australians into homeownership during its second term, highlighting the widespread impact of housing issues.
Background: The government had taken initial steps to address the housing crisis in its first term.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister highlighted the government's $43 billion investment to increase housing supply, noting that approximately half a million new homes had been built under Labor. She announced the fast-tracking of a policy allowing first-home buyers to purchase with a five per cent deposit from 1 October 2025, with the government guaranteeing part of the loan to avoid mortgage insurance. Additionally, she mentioned the rollout of the Help to Buy shared equity scheme for low and moderate-income earners later in the year.
Question from Charlotte Walker
The member requested an update on the progress of the election pledge to reduce student debt by 20 per cent. She asked for details on how the proposed changes would affect students and why the government had adopted this approach.
Background: The government had introduced legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent, fulfilling an election commitment.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister confirmed that legislation had been introduced to deliver a 20 per cent cut to student debt, totaling $16 billion in relief for approximately three million Australians. She noted that the previous term's changes had already wiped $3 billion in debt and that the new measures would reduce an average debt of $27,000 by $5,120. The minister emphasized that the relief applied to HECS, HELP, TAFE, and VET loans, and criticized the opposition for internal disunity on the issue.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as minister
-
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Defence Properties
Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026, Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
National Security
Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Taxation
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fuel
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as minister
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
Senate · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Climate Change
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 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
Senate · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 23 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fuel
Senate · Monday 23 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Environment
Senate · Monday 3 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Walker, Senator Charlotte
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · First Speech
Contributed to this debate
-
Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 29 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Climate Change
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
- Votes recorded
- 938
- Aye votes (27.3%)
- 256
- No votes (72.7%)
- 682
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 NO -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Read
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
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 NO -
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Maritime Industry; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 23 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Middle East; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED NO -
North to East Australia Pipeline; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 18, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee; Appointment
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee; Appointment
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Australian Federal Police; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Trade Unions; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Executive Remuneration; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Waste Management and Recycling; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
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 NO -
Digital Seller Underperformance Policy; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
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 AYE -
Artificial Intelligence
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 14, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Charlotte Walker'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.