Karen Grogan
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) - 21 Sep 2021 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (08) 8269 6022
265 Churchill Road, Prospect SA 5082
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
Karen Grogan 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 78% of senators- This member
- 28
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Higher than 80% of senators- This member
- 999
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 76% of senators- This member
- 89%
- 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 Karen Grogan
The member enquired how the government was employing free TAFE to increase the number of people in early learning and what measures it was implementing to assist educators in remaining within the sector. She further questioned what steps were being taken to safeguard wages and what obstacles were preventing the delivery of a stable workforce.
Background: Free TAFE is helping to build the early learning workforce, but retaining experienced educators remains a challenge.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister stated that free TAFE has delivered over 68,000 early learning enrolments, with the Certificate III being the second-most-popular course. She highlighted a historic 15 per cent pay rise, adding $255 a week for typical educators, which has led to 20,000 additional educators joining the sector and a reduction in job vacancies. She noted that the Senate has the opportunity to lock in the pay rise next week. She criticized the coalition and One Nation for voting against free TAFE and describing the pay rise as a 'sugar hit'.
Question from Karen Grogan
The senator asked the minister to outline the latest wage increases for workers in care industries and how these measures help narrow the gender pay gap. She sought an explanation of barriers to further wage increases.
Background: The question highlighted the government's wage increases for care industry workers and the impact on the gender pay gap.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that aged-care workers have received five wage increases since 2022, with registered nurses seeing pay rise by up to $36,000 per year and enrolled nurses by almost $32,000. He noted that the gender pay gap has reached its lowest recorded level, with women earning more than $250 a week more than before the government took office. He argued that the only barrier to further wage rises is a potential Liberal-One Nation coalition government, citing opposition comments questioning the necessity of pay rises for care workers.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked how the new suite of cost-of-living measures, including income tax cuts and expanded Paid Parental Leave, would support women and their families. She also asked why the government focused on care workers' pay and what other positive outcomes for women had been achieved.
Background: The member asked about new cost-of-living measures, including tax cuts and expanded parental leave, and their impact on women.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister outlined that the government was delivering five tax cuts, with two already delivered and more coming in 2026, including the Working Australians Tax Offset. She noted that Paid Parental Leave had been expanded to six months, providing nearly $30,000 to families, double the previous entitlement. The minister highlighted that the national minimum wage had increased by six per cent to over $1,000 per week, and modern award wages by 4.75 per cent, benefiting 2.7 million workers. She stated that full-time women were earning an average of $300 more per week, and that Australia's gender equality ranking had improved from 43rd to 13th, with 650,000 new jobs created for women.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked the minister to outline how the budget supported Australians facing financial pressure and prepared the economy for the future. She sought details on how the tax reform package provided clarity for small businesses while ensuring fairness.
Background: The government had recently delivered its fifth budget, which included tax reforms and cost-of-living support measures.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister described the budget as focused on relief, resilience, and reform, addressing cost-of-living pressures exacerbated by global conflicts. She outlined that tax reforms aimed to level the playing field, support homeownership, and improve productivity, lowering taxes for more than 13 million employees. The minister noted that the threshold for the 50 per cent small business capital gains tax discount was increased from $2 million to $10 million, making 2.7 million active small businesses eligible. She confirmed that consultation on the Innovative Business Capital Gains Tax Concession was open for three weeks. Additionally, she highlighted that over 14 million Australians would receive tax cuts of up to $268 from 1 July, with average wage earners paying up to $2,800 less tax than under the previous government.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked the minister to detail the steps taken to maintain fuel supplies for Australian consumers and industries.
Background: The member sought an outline of government interventions to ensure fuel availability for households and businesses.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister reported releasing 762 million litres of petrol and diesel from national stockholdings and temporarily lowering fuel standards to retain 100 million litres monthly. He also highlighted doubled ACCC penalties for price gouging and cartel behaviour.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked the minister to outline what the latest data revealed about gender pay equality and how it reflected the government's agenda. She followed up by asking how the government remains committed to helping women get ahead and what barriers remain.
Background: The Workplace Gender Equality Agency released annual data showing a reduction in the gender pay gap, attributed to government reporting requirements.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister reported that the average total remuneration gender pay gap had reduced from 12.1 per cent to 11.2 per cent. She noted that women were earning an average of $291.60 more per week than when the government took office, with workforce participation at 62 per cent. She identified challenges in non-base remuneration and base pay, and highlighted flexible work as a key issue, criticizing the opposition's previous stance on working from home.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked how the government's responsible budget management allowed it to manage economic pressures while providing cost-of-living relief.
Background: The OECD report endorsed the government's economic strategy, highlighting a soft landing and cost-of-living relief.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister cited the OECD's praise for prudent fiscal policy and cost-of-living supports. She highlighted economic growth, wage increases, and a 4.1 per cent unemployment rate. In response to supplementary questions, she noted $20 billion in savings found in MYEFO, bringing total savings to $114 billion. She stated the budget position had improved by $233 billion over seven years, with debt $176 billion lower. These savings allowed investments in hospitals, Medicare, and schools.
Question from Karen Grogan
The senator asked the minister to outline government actions to retain skilled early childhood educators and address their underpayment.
Background: Early childhood educators faced low wages and high turnover, prompting government intervention.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister announced a 15 per cent pay rise for educators, with the second instalment rolling out to provide an extra $160 per week. She stated this measure had reduced vacancy rates and burnout, stabilising the workforce. She contrasted this support with the previous government's neglect of the sector.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked the minister to confirm that unreliable coal power was driving up electricity costs and to outline what reforms were required to deliver structurally lower prices.
Background: The member cited the Australian Energy Regulator's finding that unreliable coal power plants were a key driver of higher electricity prices.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister confirmed that unplanned coal outages were driving up costs, requiring expensive gas peaking power. He highlighted the addition of 15 gigawatts of new generation to the grid and 20 gigawatts in the pipeline, along with hundreds of thousands of home batteries. He stated that major reform was needed, including affordable gas for industry and long-term certainty for investors, to prevent a return to investment droughts and structurally high prices.
Question from Karen Grogan
The senator asked what progress the government had made on delivering renewables and transition to a clean energy system since taking office in 2022.
Background: The government had campaigned on climate targets and renewable energy investment to deliver low-cost energy.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that the government was building a new, low-cost, clean-energy system. He acknowledged support from young climate advocates and cited OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann's endorsement of pursuing net zero. He criticised the opposition for undermining investment and regional economic progress, asserting that the government's approach was coherent and supported by data.
Question from Karen Grogan
The senator asked what the government was doing to back the early childhood workforce and ensure their work was properly recognised. She also asked how the worker retention payment was benefiting children by ensuring a stable workforce and how valuing educators contributed to gender equality and productivity.
Background: Early Learning Matters Week highlighted the importance of the early childhood education and care workforce.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister stated that the government was investing $3.6 billion to provide a 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood staff, resulting in weekly pay rises of at least $103, rising to $155. She noted that vacancy rates had dropped by almost a quarter as educators stayed in their roles longer. She explained that a stable workforce allowed for lasting bonds with children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and that supporting educators helped women return to work, thereby boosting productivity and gender equality.
Question from Karen Grogan
The senator asked why reducing HECS debt is important and how Australians would benefit from the government's higher education policies.
Background: The government promised to cut student debt by 20 per cent as its first legislative act in the new term.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister explained that the legislation would wipe $16 billion from HECS debts, benefiting over three million Australians, including apprentices and VET students. She noted that for someone with an average debt of $27,000, this would remove approximately $5,400. She also highlighted that the legislation makes repayments fairer and contrasts the government's unity with opposition disarray regarding education policy.
Question from Karen Grogan
The member asked how the government was working to lower energy costs for households. She sought details on the government's strategy for affordable and reliable energy.
Background: Senator Grogan asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy about measures to reduce energy bill pressures.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister announced an additional $150 in energy bill relief extending until the end of 2025. She stated this would lower average household bills by 7.5 per cent. She contrasted this with the opposition's nuclear proposal, which she claimed would lead to higher bills and service cuts.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Third Reading
Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Third Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026; Third Reading
Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Third Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Veterans
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 13 August 2026 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
Senate · Wednesday 13 May 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
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Bolkus, Hon. Nick
Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 3 September 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Climate Trigger) Bill 2022; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 23 July 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as minister
-
Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 13 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsideration of Decisions) Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 11 February 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban Gambling Ads) Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
- Votes recorded
- 999
- Aye votes (29.0%)
- 290
- No votes (71.0%)
- 709
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Carbon Farming Initiative--Improved Forest Management in Multiple-use Public ...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 6, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 4, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 4, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Defence Properties; Order for the Production of Documents
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Housing; Order for the Production of Documents
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill 2026; Second Read
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Superannuation
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 5, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Superannuation
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Senate Estimates: Questions on Notice; Order for the Production of Documents
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Defence Properties
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Veterans: Health Care
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Housing; Order for the Production of Documents
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,...
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED NO -
COVID-19: Mortality; Order for the Production of Documents
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Questacon: Sponsorship; Order for the Production of Documents
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 22 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Tobacco Control
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Climate Change
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED NO -
International Relations: Australia and the United States of America
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 14, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Animal Welfare; Order for the Production of Documents
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Social Security (Administration) Legislation Amendment (Income Management and...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 13, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 4 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 4, Noes 40 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Karen Grogan'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.