Kerrynne Liddle
Liberal Party Senator for SA
Currently sitting
Photo: Commonwealth of Australia (Transparency Portal), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Liberal Party - SA (Senate) - 21 May 2022 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (08) 8232 1144
Level 2, 31 Ebenezer Place, 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
Kerrynne Liddle compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Lower than 62% of senators- This member
- 7
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Lower than 62% of senators- This member
- 34
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Lower than 58% of senators- This member
- 660
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 61% of senators- This member
- 59%
- 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 Kerrynne Liddle
The member asked whether the government could deliver more than industrial destruction and job losses, citing the closure of Whyalla alongside other facilities like Tomago and Bell Bay, despite previous commitments to secure manufacturing jobs.
Background: The blast furnace at Whyalla was permanently shut down, resulting in up to 500 job losses, despite a $500 million commitment from the Future Made in Australia Green Iron Investment Fund.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister stated that the government is committed to securing a future for Whyalla through consultation with unions and workers, contrasting this with previous Liberal policies that allegedly encouraged industry departures. She noted that the failure to invest by the previous owner, GFG Alliance, had negative consequences for the community. The minister affirmed that the government would work with industry and unions to find a sustainable path forward for the site.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The member asked how many more older Australians would die waiting for care. She further asked how the system could assess a man with severe disabilities as needing only entry-level help, and how the government could claim the system was not failing thousands of others given that one in four assessments is conducted over the phone.
Background: The opposition cited the case of a 91-year-old man who died waiting for care, noting that the median wait for a Support at Home package assessment was 12 months.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister expressed sadness at the death of an older Australian waiting for care and emphasized the importance of the government's reforms. She stated that the previous government had cut $212 billion from the sector and failed to meet growing needs. Regarding the assessment process, she argued that the old system was inaccurate and produced unfair outcomes. She explained that the current system involved trained human assessors working with older people to understand functional needs, with a second person reviewing the outcome before sign-off. She noted that delegates could send assessments back if errors were identified, countering claims of misinformation about the process.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The member asked how the government was guaranteeing that Australians relying on cars for medical treatment could access fuel when and where they needed it.
Background: Concerns were raised about individuals with medical conditions, such as kidney failure, who rely on cars for life-saving treatment and are facing fuel scarcity and high costs.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister expressed sympathy for those affected and highlighted the release of 20 per cent of minimum stockholding obligations targeted at regional Australia. She noted that Export Finance Australia was underwriting additional supply and that the government was working with states and distributors to address distribution issues. The reduction in fuel excise was also cited as a measure to assist with costs.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The member asked how the government allowed the fuel crisis to escalate to the point of disrupting trade, jobs, food supply, and health services. She cited specific impacts on apprentices, vegetable growers, and police operations.
Background: Various sectors, including agriculture, health, and trade, were reporting disruptions due to fuel shortages and high prices.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister reiterated that the situation was a global energy shock affecting the entire economy. She listed government actions including introducing legislation against misleading conduct, convening National Cabinet, appointing a Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, releasing 20 per cent of fuel reserves, changing fuel standards, and tasking the ACCC with price monitoring. She stated the government would look at every practical measure to shield Australians from uncertainty. She dismissed the notion that the crisis was merely scaremongering, explaining the knock-on effects from the Strait of Hormuz closure on Asian refineries.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The senator asked why the government had eliminated a dedicated session for Indigenous issues across portfolios during the upcoming supplementary budget estimates, contending this prevented accountability. She also queried why the government had not addressed non-compliance matters and the special administration of the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service sooner.
Background: Senator Liddle cited regression in six Closing the Gap outcomes, including increases in youth detention and suicide rates, and noted non-compliance by organisations under regulator ORIC.
Answer from Malarndirri McCarthy
The minister rejected the claim that the Senate lacked opportunities to scrutinise Closing the Gap, stating that questions could be directed to relevant ministers for health, housing, and justice. She argued that the opposition was politicising the issue rather than attending estimates to ask questions. The minister confirmed she would be present at estimates to answer questions on Indigenous issues, as well as health, aged care, and local government matters.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The senator asked how the government could claim success when the report showed failures in critical areas, and specifically requested data on new Indigenous housing funded in the Northern Territory since 2022.
Background: Senator Liddle cited the latest Closing the Gap report, noting that only four of 19 targets are on track and that outcomes like incarceration and suicide rates are worsening.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister acknowledged that progress was insufficient, with four targets on track and ten improving, but noted that the Northern Territory was going backwards on some indicators. She listed improving areas such as life expectancy and education, while highlighting worsening issues like incarceration and suicide rates. Regarding housing, she stated she would seek specific details on additional homes funded since 2022, noting that appropriately sized housing was improving but not on track.
Question from Kerrynne Liddle
The member asked if the government had realized the benefits of mandatory income management and whether it should have promised to remove it.
Background: The member questioned the government's commitment to ending mandatory income management, citing previous statements by Labor members supporting the scheme.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister stated that the government was implementing a long-term strategy to overhaul income management in partnership with First Nations people and other stakeholders. She noted that consultations with approximately 412,000 community members indicated a preference for a longer transition period to voluntary income management. She clarified that income management rules in the Northern Territory had not changed since 2007 and that the NT government could refer adults to income management for child protection concerns, quarantining 70 per cent of payments. She emphasized that decisions would be based on genuine consultation with communities.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
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 · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
International Relations: Australia and Japan
Senate · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Senior Australians
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Kumanjayi Little Baby
Senate · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
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: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Perth: Attack
Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · General Debate
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; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Racial Discrimination Act 1975: 50th Anniversary
Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Senate · Thursday 31 July 2025 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Cybersafety
Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Central Australia: Crime and Community Safety
Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
- Votes recorded
- 660
- Aye votes (66.2%)
- 437
- No votes (33.8%)
- 223
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Economy
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Australian Federal Police; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Trade Unions; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill 2026; First Reading
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Artificial Intelligence
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account)...
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cost of Living
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Digital Seller Underperformance Policy; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Care; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Intergenerational Trust Fund for the People of the Republic of Nauru; Order f...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account)...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026; Th...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026; Se...
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 18 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 19, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Carbon Farming Initiative--Improved Forest Management in Multiple-use Public ...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill 2026; Second Read
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Superannuation
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 5, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Superannuation
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Senate Estimates: Questions on Notice; Order for the Production of Documents
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 35 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Defence Properties
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 23 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Housing; Order for the Production of Documents
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,...
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
COVID-19: Mortality; Order for the Production of Documents
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Tobacco Control
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Miscond...
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
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 -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 13 · Passed
VOTED AYE
About this page
This page tracks Kerrynne Liddle'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.