Maria Kovacic
Liberal Party Senator for NSW
Currently sitting
Photo: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Finance Transparency Portal), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Liberal Party - NSW (Senate) - 31 May 2023 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (02) 9353 0585
Suite 2, Level 5, 3 Thomas Holt Drive, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
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
Maria Kovacic compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Lower than 53% of senators- This member
- 9
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Higher than 79% of senators- This member
- 59
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Lower than 55% of senators- This member
- 695
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 57% of senators- This member
- 62%
- 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 Maria Kovacic
The senator asked if the Prime Minister opportunistically raised the rent on his property nine days after announcing the funding, and if he disclosed his ownership to the minister who signed off on the funding.
Background: The Prime Minister announced $6 million in funding for the Marrickville Golf Club, where he was an honorary member, shortly before raising the rent on his adjacent investment property.
Answer from Don Farrell
The minister initially stated the question did not deserve an answer. In response to supplementary questions, he said he did not know if the Prime Minister had disclosed his ownership but would ask him. He defended the funding as an election promise honored by the government and deflected by criticizing the opposition for not answering questions about sports rorts during their time in office.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The member asked when the government first became aware of the cash withdrawals and what action was being taken. She later asked why former CFMEU chief John Setka still controlled over $1 million in a private fund and if Labor would support coalition legislation to exclude him from office indefinitely.
Background: The CFMEU administrator pointed out that hundreds of thousands of dollars had been taken out in cash from the Building Industry 2000 fund.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister stated that the government had taken stronger action on CFMEU corruption than the previous government, including passing legislation to place the union in administration. She did not provide a specific date of awareness for the cash withdrawals but emphasized that the administrator was investigating. She declined to directly answer whether Labor would support the coalition's legislation, instead reiterating that the current administration had achieved more progress in cleaning up the union.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The member asked why the Prime Minister required protection from the NSW Premier when answering questions about his lewd comments and gestures.
Background: The NSW Premier intervened during a press conference to shield the Prime Minister from questions about his comments regarding the Japanese Prime Minister.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister criticized the opposition for focusing on press conference awkwardness rather than the announcement of job protections in the Hunter. She stated the Prime Minister was there to announce measures to protect jobs and that the government was proud of this outcome. She reiterated that the focus should be on the economic announcement rather than political point-scoring.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The member asked how the government had managed to increase borrowing levels for home buyers while exposing them to financial risks such as negative equity, despite earlier commitments to reduce mortgage costs.
Background: The member raised concerns that average mortgages had increased by $75,000 in one year to reach $735,000, contrary to pre-election promises of cheaper mortgages, leaving some homeowners at risk of negative equity.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister recalled that the promise of cheaper mortgages was linked to the Help to Buy shared-equity scheme, designed to help workers enter the market without mortgage insurance. She stated that 40,000 Australians had saved up to 40 per cent on home costs through this program. The minister argued that the government had acted to level the playing field for first-home buyers, contrasting this with the previous government's failure to address market exclusion. In response to supplementary questions regarding investor lending and negative equity, the minister cited Reserve Bank of Australia comments stating that negative equity was minimal and declining. She defended tax changes as removing unfair subsidies for investors competing with owner-occupiers.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The senator asked for a guarantee that Australians would not be forced to obtain valuations for family heirlooms such as jewellery or artwork. She asked who would pay for these valuations.
Background: CPA Australia warned that CGT changes could affect inherited assets like jewellery.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister reiterated that the government was replacing the 50 per cent discount with an inflation-based discount from 1 July 2027. She stated that the changes applied across all asset classes to ensure fairness. She accused the opposition of running scare campaigns and voting for higher taxes.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The member asked what steps the government had taken to ensure offline ammonia facilities returned to operation, given their critical role in agriculture and mining. She later asked about contingencies for shortages and if the government could guarantee fertiliser supply.
Background: Reports indicated that major ammonia plants in Pilbara and Kooragang were offline, while fertiliser supplies through the Strait of Hormuz were halted.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister noted that Australia imported approximately 65 per cent of its urea-based fertilisers and that local ammonia capacity was important for mining explosives as well as fertiliser. He stated that the government was working with suppliers, importers, and industry bodies like the National Farmers' Federation to coordinate actions. He mentioned that there was no immediate national shortage of fertilisers but that winter planting was commencing. He confirmed that the government was engaging with alternative suppliers in South-East Asia and that the coordinator-general was meeting with state and territory counterparts to ensure sector coordination.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The senator asked if the government admitted losing control of Housing Australia, citing low home purchases and high costs, and why a report on governance dysfunction was not made public.
Background: Reports alleged governance dysfunction at Housing Australia and high costs per dwelling under the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister denied losing control of the agency and defended the government's $43 billion housing plan. She criticised the opposition's historical record on social housing, noting only 373 homes were built in nine years compared to over 5,000 under the current government. Regarding the withheld report, she dismissed the Senate order as not serious and did not provide the document.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The member asked how the Prime Minister could have confidence in the CFMEU administrator given the secret transfer of the slush fund. She questioned the government's oversight of the union.
Background: Concerns were raised about the CFMEU slush fund and the government's confidence in the union administrator.
Answer from Don Farrell
The minister affirmed the Prime Minister's confidence in Minister Rishworth. He stated the government was taking action against the CFMEU and that Minister Rishworth was capable of dealing with corruption. He did not directly address the administrator's knowledge of the transfer.
Question from Maria Kovacic
The senator asked whether the government had met with or been briefed by Save the Children regarding the repatriation of ISIS associates and their children.
Background: Questions persisted regarding government engagement with Save the Children and the repatriation of ISIS associates and their children.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the government was not providing assistance to the cohort referred to in reports. He repeated this position in response to supplementary questions, declining to confirm or deny meetings with Save the Children and reiterating that no assistance was being provided for repatriation.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Superannuation
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Allied Health Care) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Allied Health Care) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Fast Tracking Coal, Gas and Oil Projects) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Environment and Other Legislation Amendment (Fast Tracking Coal, Gas and Oil Projects) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Prime Minister
Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation
Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
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
Responded as shadow minister
-
Budget
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Take Note 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
-
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Contributed to this debate
-
Fuel
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Take Note Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate
-
Fuel
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
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
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Monday 23 March 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Opened this debate
-
Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
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
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 2 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · In Committee
Responded as shadow minister
-
Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Higher Education Support Amendment (End Dirty University Partnerships) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 6 November 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 6 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Aged Care
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 1 September 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · In Committee
Responded as shadow minister
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · In Committee
Opened this debate
-
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Economic Reform Roundtable
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Second Reading
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
Responded as shadow minister
- Votes recorded
- 695
- Aye votes (65.3%)
- 454
- No votes (34.7%)
- 241
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 AYE -
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 NO -
Corruption in the Construction Industry Select Committee; Appointment
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
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 AYE -
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Manufacturing Industry
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 30, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
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 AYE -
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 AYE -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Middle East
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
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 -
Consideration of Legislation
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Cybersafety Legislation; Order for the Production of Documents
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
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 AYE -
Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 33 · Failed
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 -
Water
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 16, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 -
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 -
Carbon Farming Initiative--Improved Forest Management in Multiple-use Public ...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; In Committee
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Defence Properties; Order for the Production of Documents
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 36, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 36 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Housing; Order for the Production of Documents
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 17, Noes 26 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Maria Kovacic'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.