Glenn Sterle
Australian Labor Party Senator for WA
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 - WA (Senate) - 1 Jul 2005 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (08) 9455 1420
Units G2 and G3, 150-152 Riseley Street, Booragoon WA 6154
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
Glenn Sterle 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 84% of senators- This member
- 25
- 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 66% of senators- This member
- 84%
- 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 Glenn Sterle
The member asked how the government was effecting change through investment in community-led laundry facilities to enhance health and wellbeing in remote First Nations communities. He sought feedback on the impact of these projects on reducing diseases like scabies.
Background: The question highlighted the importance of clean clothes and bedding for health and dignity in remote First Nations communities. It sought to promote the government's investment in community-led laundry facilities.
Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy
The minister announced an $11.4 million investment in the Remote Community Laundries Project, supporting facilities in over a dozen communities across the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. She explained that these laundries help reduce infections like trachoma and rheumatic heart disease. She cited research showing a 60 per cent drop in scabies rates in Barunga after a laundry was established. She emphasized that the projects are community-led and create local jobs.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The senator asked how the government is backing wage rises to support workers. He asked for details on other measures to help Australians keep more of their earnings and what obstacles stand in the way.
Background: The question sought to highlight government actions supporting wage rises and cost-of-living relief for workers.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister cited strong wage growth, including a 4.75 per cent increase in the national minimum wage affecting 2.7 million workers. He highlighted tax cuts, cheaper medicines, and housing funding as additional supports. He identified the opposition and One Nation as obstacles, accusing them of opposing wage increases, penalty rates, and superannuation contributions. He characterized the opposition's agenda as determined to cut wages and cost-of-living relief.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked how the government was helping small businesses grow and create jobs. He later asked how these measures supported regional communities and why the government had taken this approach.
Background: The member asked about government measures to support small businesses, including recent announcements of financial support.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that the government was providing over $3.8 billion in fresh initiatives, such as making the $20,000 instant asset write-off and two-year loss carry-back permanent from 1 July. He mentioned tax reductions for 1.5 million sole traders, such as the $250 Working Australians Tax Offset, and $8 billion for mental health and financial wellbeing. The minister pointed out that the National Reconstruction Fund had lent hundreds of millions to small businesses in freight and logistics, and that the government was securing fertiliser and fuel supplies for regional agriculture.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked what the landmark tax reform package delivered for Australian workers, small businesses, and first home buyers. He sought details on the benefits and how consultation had shaped the final package.
Background: The first stage of the government's tax reform package had passed the Senate, including measures for tax cuts and housing affordability.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister detailed that the bill included a $250 working Australian tax offset and a $1,000 instant deduction for over 13 million workers. She noted that negative gearing would be restricted to new constructions starting 1 July 2027, and cost-base indexation would be reintroduced for capital gains tax. She stated that the reforms would help 75,000 more people enter the housing market and that Treasury analysis showed more than 90 per cent of Australians would have fared better by age 30 if reforms had been in place since 2000. She also mentioned concessions for small businesses, including raising the threshold to $10 million.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked why acting now to strengthen fuel resilience was important. He further inquired about regional cooperation for fuel security and how the government's approach compared to alternatives.
Background: The question sought to highlight the government's fuel security package announced in the budget.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister outlined a $14.8 billion package including a Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility and a permanent government-owned fuel reserve of around one billion litres. She noted new agreements with Singapore, Brunei, Korea, Japan, and Malaysia to ensure fuel flows. The minister contrasted the government's actions with the previous administration's record, citing the closure of refineries and the decision to store reserves in Texas.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked how the government was supporting truck drivers to get a fair go amidst rising input costs. He sought to highlight government measures helping workers deal with cost-of-living pressures.
Background: Rising fuel costs were impacting the road transport industry and low-paid workers.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister announced an amendment to the Fair Work Act to create an urgent pathway for truckies to seek fair pay at the Fair Work Commission. He stated that the government had passed reforms to crack down on sham contracting and increase penalties for employers dodging obligations. He confirmed that the government would lodge a submission to the Annual Wage Review recommending a real wage increase for 2.7 million workers reliant on minimum wages and awards. He linked these measures to helping low-paid workers cope with financial shocks and inflation.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked for an update on supply chain pressures and the government's protective actions. He further asked if Australia was more resilient to international shocks than in the past.
Background: The member sought an update on energy supply chain pressures due to the Middle East conflict and the government's actions to protect the economy.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister provided specific stock figures: 36 days of petrol (1.56 billion litres), 29 days of jet fuel (802 million litres), and 32 days of diesel (2.97 billion litres), stating these had not materially changed since the conflict began. He attributed regional issues to consumer behavior, noting some were buying four to five times their normal amount. He emphasized that the minimum stockpile obligation and gas market reservation had made Australia more resilient than under the previous government, which he criticized for inaction.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The senator asked the minister to outline how the government had delivered on its agenda and provided cost-of-living relief to Australians.
Background: The final Senate sitting day of 2025 provided an opportunity to review the government's performance since the May election.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister highlighted recent environmental law reforms to speed up projects in priority areas like housing and renewables. She listed cost-of-living measures including tax cuts, cheaper medicines with PBS script caps of $25 for general patients and $7.70 for concession card holders, and student debt reductions of 20 per cent for 11.2 million Australians. She also noted investments in Medicare bulk-billing and urgent care clinics, contrasting these actions with the opposition's lack of a clear plan.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked the minister to detail the government's strategy for seizing economic opportunities in the renewable energy sector and the importance of sending clear investment signals.
Background: The question invited the government to outline its plan to capitalize on economic opportunities from the global energy transition.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister cited Treasury modelling indicating that decisive climate action would strengthen competitiveness, create jobs, and raise wages. She listed five key conclusions from the modelling, including that an orderly transition would provide business certainty, while a disorderly one would lead to higher prices and lower living standards. The minister warned that abandoning net zero could result in a $2 trillion smaller economy by 2050 and significantly higher electricity prices.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The senator asked how the government was securing jobs, raising pay, reducing the gender pay gap, and promoting cooperative workplaces. He also asked how specific parts of the economy had flourished compared to negative predictions made by the opposition when the legislation was introduced.
Background: One year had passed since the implementation of the government's closing the loopholes workplace relations reforms.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the reforms had removed loopholes that undermined fair competition and worker safety. He reported that real wages had grown for seven consecutive quarters, employment had increased by almost 880,000 to reach a record 14.6 million workers in July 2025, and industrial disputation had dropped to under 14,000 days lost in the March quarter. He also noted that the number of small businesses had increased by 2.7 per cent to nearly 2.6 million.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The senator asked for an update on negotiations with Commonwealth and state governments regarding the future of Australian smelters. He followed up by asking about the causes of challenges in the sector and the government's 'Future Made in Australia' vision for the industry.
Background: A government senator asked for an update on negotiations with industrial smelters.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister listed several smelters facing challenges, including Whyalla, Tomago, and Mount Isa, noting they face global market pressures and non-market practices. He stated the government was working to protect domestic capabilities in the national interest, expecting firms to deliver investment and good governance. He announced a metals and minerals processing roundtable in August to discuss long-term investment and highlighted the potential for green iron and aluminium production using renewable energy.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The member asked how the government's policies supported higher wages and cost-of-living relief. He sought confirmation of the government's commitment to workers' rights.
Background: Senator Sterle asked the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations how the budget and workplace agenda helped workers earn more.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister highlighted growing real wages, low unemployment, and tax cuts for every taxpayer. He criticized the opposition for opposing tax cuts and proposing public service job cuts to fund nuclear reactors. He stated that the government was focused on delivering jobs and higher wages.
Question from Glenn Sterle
The senator asked how the government was helping to put downward pressure on energy bills and how the clean energy plan was helping Australians. He followed up by asking why the renewables plan was the best way to reduce bills. He also asked what the biggest barriers to cheaper power were.
Background: The Australian Energy Market Operator said that renewable energy provided the cheapest method for supplying electricity.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the government was focused on cost-of-living relief, including direct energy bill relief and investments in renewables, gas, and batteries. He argued that renewables were the cheapest form of energy, citing the Energy Market Operator. He identified the opposition's nuclear policy as the biggest barrier to cheaper power, claiming it would cost $600 billion and increase bills by $1,200 per household per year. He criticised the opposition for not disclosing what cuts would fund the nuclear program.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Manufacturing Industry
Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate
-
Gatenby, Senator Chris
Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · First Speech
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fuel
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026; Third Reading
Senate · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Third Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Fuel
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Taxation
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026; 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 · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Middle East
Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fuel Security
Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Boswell, Hon. Ronald (Ron) Leslie Doyle, AO
Senate · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 5 February 2026 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Gas Industry
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Economic Reform Roundtable
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Trade with the United States of America: Beef Industry
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate
-
Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 24 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Eggleston, Dr Alan, AM
Senate · Wednesday 23 July 2025 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Senate · Tuesday 25 March 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate
-
Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 6 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 938
- Aye votes (28.6%)
- 268
- No votes (71.4%)
- 670
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
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 -
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 -
Cost of Living
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
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 -
Carbon Farming Initiative--Improved Forest Management in Multiple-use Public ...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 6, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Glenn Sterle'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.