Claire Chandler
Liberal Party Senator for TAS
Currently sitting
Photo: Commonwealth of Australia (Transparency Portal), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Liberal Party - TAS (Senate) - 1 Jul 2019 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (03) 6260 2018
42 Bridge Street, Richmond TAS 7025
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
Claire Chandler compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Same as the median- This member
- 10
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Lower than 76% of senators- This member
- 29
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Lower than 79% of senators- This member
- 542
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 80% of senators- This member
- 48%
- 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 Claire Chandler
The senator asked how much the Commonwealth pays in interest on its debt each minute and in total since the government took office. She followed up by arguing that debt servicing costs were wasting billions that could be spent on public services.
Background: National debt had reached $1 trillion, prompting questions about interest costs.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister argued that the current debt burden is lower than it would have been under the previous government, which had doubled debt before the pandemic. She stated that the government had delivered two budget surpluses and that interest payments were lower than projected. She did not provide the specific per-minute or total interest figures requested. Instead, she questioned how the opposition would fund its proposed tax cuts, defence spending, and infrastructure projects, suggesting their policies would lead to higher debt.
Question from Claire Chandler
The senator asked whether a 30 per cent minimum tax was in place before 1999 and if it currently applies under the government's tax laws. She followed up by asking about the existence of income averaging before 1999 and its current status. Finally, she inquired how many taxpayers earning less than $45,000 would be affected by the minimum tax.
Background: The Prime Minister stated that recent capital gains tax reforms returned the system to pre-1999 arrangements. Senator Chandler questioned whether a 30 per cent minimum tax existed before 1999 or exists under the current legislation.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that the reforms restored concession arrangements indexed for inflation rather than the previous 50 per cent discount. She noted that the legislation passed last week aimed to balance tax on wages and assets and assist first-home buyers. Regarding income averaging, she explained it was removed in 1999 for integrity reasons following a business tax review. She cited Treasury analysis indicating capital gains are predominantly realised by high-income earners. She confirmed that tax cuts for low-income earners, including those under $45,000, commence on 1 July.
Question from Claire Chandler
The senator asked the minister to name a country with a higher tax rate on real capital gains than Australia. She sought to establish whether Australia's tax rates were excessively high internationally.
Background: The opposition questioned the level of capital gains tax in Australia compared to other nations.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that comparing tax arrangements internationally was difficult due to differences in laws. She argued that the reforms aimed to better align tax on assets with tax on income, noting that working people pay tax on real income. She cited an example where, assuming a 5.1 per cent return on the S&P/ASX 200, the tax rate was around 21.4 per cent. She claimed this was lower than rates in the UK (24 per cent), Germany (26 to 28 per cent), France (34 to 35 per cent), Ireland (33 per cent), the Netherlands (36 per cent), Denmark (42 per cent), and California. In response to supplementary questions, she defended the reforms as fairer for working people and noted that the opposition had promised higher taxes in the previous election.
Question from Claire Chandler
The member asked whether the budget demonstrated that young Australians faced worsening economic conditions due to government spending. She further inquired if the budget projected national debt reaching $1.25 trillion, creating a financial burden for future generations, and whether interest costs would exceed $42 billion annually.
Background: The question addressed the impact of the newly released federal budget on young Australians, specifically regarding inflation, interest rates, and national debt levels.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister denied the premise, stating the budget ensured fairness for future generations through responsible fiscal management. She argued that the previous government had doubled the debt before the pandemic and left a $1 trillion debt burden. The minister highlighted that the current budget reduced debt by $173 billion compared to inherited levels and saved approximately $70 billion in interest payments. She emphasized that net debt growth remained lower than when the government took office.
Question from Claire Chandler
The member asked why the government could not disclose the number of service stations across Australia that had run dry, implying a lack of control over the crisis. She sought specific national data on fuel availability.
Background: The member questioned the government's ability to provide national figures on service stations running out of fuel, citing a previous inability by Minister Bowen to do so.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that the government possessed the figures and had been transparent, noting that 164 petrol stations in New South Wales lacked diesel. He explained that 20 per cent of minimum stockholding had been released to assist independent retailers, particularly in regional areas where winter planting was occurring. In response to the supplementary, he reported that nationally, nine per cent of petrol stations had one or more fuel grades unavailable, with specific figures for Tasmania showing 0.4 per cent without diesel and two per cent without unleaded petrol. He clarified that the government provided weekly updates on stockholding levels rather than daily commercial-in-confidence data, urging Australians not to purchase more than required.
Question from Claire Chandler
The member asked why the government was increasing public spending during a period when households and businesses were reducing expenditure, arguing that this was fueling inflation and forcing the Reserve Bank of Australia to maintain higher interest rates.
Background: National accounts data for the December quarter showed public sector demand growing at a rate more than double that of private sector demand, marking the second consecutive quarter of this trend.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that the economy was experiencing its strongest broad-based growth in three years. She argued that the opposition was criticizing public investment in defence and health infrastructure, which contributed to the public demand figures, despite previously supporting such spending. She noted that private sector demand had recovered and was picking up in 2025. The minister emphasized that the government was managing the budget responsibly, paying down debt, and reducing interest payments, with debt levels $176 billion lower than previous forecasts.
Question from Claire Chandler
The member asked if the minister agreed with the assessment that the defence asset sales fundamentally altered Tasmania's role in national defence. She further asked how the government could claim to strengthen defence readiness while selling facilities used by 300 reservists and 450 cadets in Tasmania, and whether there would be a net reduction in defence jobs or training opportunities in the state.
Background: Senator Chandler cited RSL Tasmania president John Hardy's criticism that the sale of Tasmanian defence assets was a catastrophic strategic error and a withdrawal of defence presence.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister disagreed with the criticism, stating that the reform was necessary because many properties were not fit for purpose and were costly to maintain. She confirmed that all personnel, including reservists, would be transitioned to alternative sites. The minister assured that Tasmania would retain a strong defence presence, including the consolidation of training depots in Burnie and Devonport into a new multiuser depot, building on investments in the Launceston cadet depot and Anglesea Barracks.
Question from Claire Chandler
The senator asked for the specific cost to taxpayers of the upcoming pre-COP event in the Pacific, noting that previous ministers had not provided this figure.
Background: The government announced it would host a pre-COP event in the Pacific in 2026 rather than hosting COP31 in Adelaide.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister defended the decision to hold the event in the Pacific to highlight climate impacts on island nations. She stated that costs would be determined through standard government processes, similar to other climate-related expenditures. She did not provide a specific dollar amount, instead focusing on the strategic importance of the event and criticising the opposition's stance on climate change.
Question from Claire Chandler
The senator asked why the government had waited until recent events to list the IRGC, noting that documents showed preparations began in January 2023 and that the coalition had offered bipartisan support for legislation in February 2023. She also questioned why the government did not act on calls from the Iranian diaspora following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.
Background: The government announced the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation and the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador following antisemitic attacks in Australia.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister stated that the decision followed the identification by security agencies that the IRGC orchestrated recent antisemitic attacks, including at the Adass Israel synagogue and Lewis' Continental Kitchen. She noted that the government had already imposed approximately 200 sanctions on Iranian and IRGC entities and individuals, and had pushed for Iran's removal from a UN body regarding discrimination against women. The minister argued that the unprecedented nature of foreign-orchestrated violence on Australian soil necessitated the current actions, including the first post-war expulsion of an ambassador.
Question from Claire Chandler
The senator asked why the government was allowing an artist who featured a terrorist leader in his work to represent Australia, given recent antisemitic incidents.
Background: Khaled Sabsabi was selected to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale. The questioner claimed his artwork featured Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and other controversial figures.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister stated she was not previously aware of the specific artworks mentioned. She agreed that glorifying Hezbollah leaders was inappropriate and condemned Hezbollah unequivocally. She indicated she would seek further advice on the matter but did not commit to reversing the decision immediately.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 2) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Privatisation
Senate · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
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
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · First Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Budget
Senate · Thursday 14 May 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Monday 23 March 2026 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
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
Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Economy, Wages and Salaries
Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Economy
Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · In Committee
Responded as shadow minister
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 6 November 2025 · In Committee
Responded as shadow minister
-
Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
International Relations: Australia and Iran
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 23 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsideration of Decisions) Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Andrews, Hon. Kevin James, AM
Senate · Tuesday 11 February 2025 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
- Votes recorded
- 542
- Aye votes (61.4%)
- 333
- No votes (38.6%)
- 209
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; Li...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026; Limi...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 28, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequen...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 26 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; Limitation ...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential A...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Capacity Investment Scheme, Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Rewiring the Nati...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 26 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Therapeutic Goods Administration; Order for the Production of Documents
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Prime Minister; Order for the Production of Documents
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Economics References Committee; Reference
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Renewable Energy, Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cheaper Home Batteries Program; Order for the Production of Documents
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Select Committee on Corruption in the Construction Industry; Appointment
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Prime Minister
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 26 · Passed
VOTED NO -
COVID-19: Vaccination; Order for the Production of Documents
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Health Technology Assessment Review Implementation Advisory Group; Order for ...
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 26, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Prime Minister; Order for the Production of Documents
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 24 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
13 Aug 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 25 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Read
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Reporting Date
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Security
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Security
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 24 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Australian Defence Force; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
International Relations: Australia and Nauru; Order for the Production of Doc...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Economics References Committee; Reference
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 24 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In C...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In C...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; Seco...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Senior Australians
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Superannuation; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Department of the Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Clean Energy Finance Corporation; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Corruption in the Construction Industry Select Committee; Appointment
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Metrea Australia; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE
About this page
This page tracks Claire Chandler'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.