Paul Scarr
Liberal Party Senator for QLD
Currently sitting
Seat and party history (1)
- Liberal Party - QLD (Senate) - 1 Jul 2019 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (07) 3186 9350
Tenancy 3, Level 6, Springfield Tower, 145 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central QLD 4300
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
Paul Scarr compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Lower than 58% of senators- This member
- 8
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Higher than 82% of senators- This member
- 60
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Lower than 63% of senators- This member
- 640
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 66% of senators- This member
- 57%
- 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 Paul Scarr
The member asked what steps the Prime Minister had taken to verify his membership status at the Marrickville Golf Club, given conflicting statements from the club and the Prime Minister. He further asked whether the Prime Minister had declared any conflicts of interest under the code of conduct before the $6 million grant was committed.
Background: Conflicting reports emerged regarding whether the Prime Minister held an honorary membership at the Marrickville Golf Club, which received a government grant.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister confirmed that paid social membership at the club costs $5 for two years and stated the Prime Minister is engaged in his local community. She emphasized that the Prime Minister was not the decision-maker for the grant. Regarding conflict of interest declarations, she noted that registers of members' interests generally do not require disclosure for membership in local community or sporting organizations. She reiterated that the grant was a transparent election commitment delivered according to Commonwealth rules.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked if the minister would guarantee that Australian charities and not-for-profits would not lose out due to the tax changes, specifically regarding non-deductible gifts.
Background: Estimates suggested Labor's proposed trust tax could cost charities $2.9 billion in lost giving over five years.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister reiterated that amendments ensure deductible gifts reduce capital gains subject to minimum tax and that minimum tax does not apply to charitable trusts. She noted that DGR status remains tax deductible for discretionary trusts and that the government is consulting on implementation details, including arrangements for donations. She declined to provide further guarantees beyond the consultation process.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked why the government had excluded waste collection services from the priority fuel list, despite warnings that failure to collect rubbish could lead to catastrophic public health outcomes. He sought immediate inclusion of waste services on the list.
Background: Waste industry leaders warned that public health could be compromised within 48 hours if waste collection trucks ran out of fuel, as they were not on the priority fuel list.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister acknowledged the downstream effects of the fuel crisis on various sectors, including waste management. She noted that the current priority determination, established in 2019, included emergency services but not waste collection. She stated that if the determination needed amendment, the government would consider it. She reiterated that the government was working to shore up supply and understand the economic impacts of the global shock.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked how much more per month a family with a $600,000 mortgage would pay due to the recent interest rate increase. He followed up by asking how many more rate rises Australians would endure before the government acknowledged that its spending was causing inflation. Finally, he asked when the government would apologize to families losing homes due to high rates.
Background: Following a Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate rise, the member asked for the specific monthly cost increase for a homeowner with a $600,000 mortgage.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister stated that the cost impact depended on various factors and declined to provide a specific figure. She argued that the Reserve Bank identified private demand, not government spending, as the primary driver of inflationary pressure. She listed government cost-of-living measures including tax cuts, bulk-billing incentives, cheaper medicines, and a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt. She refused to apologize, asserting that the opposition had consistently voted against these support measures.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked whether the government held specific target numbers or ranges for permanent and net overseas migration across short, medium, and long-term periods. He also questioned how state and federal planning for housing and infrastructure could proceed without such direction, noting the abandonment of a multi-year planning model.
Background: Net overseas migration for the year ending March 2025 was 315,900, exceeding pre-pandemic averages and Treasury assumptions. The minister had previously declined to specify target numbers in an interview.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the government had worked to reduce net overseas migration, including through measures opposed by the coalition. He noted that recent data showed migration levels were approximately 17,000 below Treasury forecasts for the first three quarters of 2024-25 and had fallen for six consecutive quarters. He attributed the reduction to fixing a broken immigration system inherited from the previous government and criticized the opposition for lacking a unified policy.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked whether the taskforce would guarantee a reduction in illegal tobacco entering the country undetected. He referenced a fatal firebombing incident in Melbourne and asked for estimates on future crimes and illicit tobacco volumes over the next six months.
Background: The senator noted the establishment of the Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group to combat criminal activity linked to the illegal tobacco trade, which generates approximately $10 billion annually.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister guaranteed that the government was taking strong action against illegal tobacco. He expressed sympathy for victims of related crimes. He noted that additional funding had been provided to the Border Force, including $188.5 million over four years, to support frontline resources in tackling the issue.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked if the government could guarantee no taxpayer dollars were being spent to help people linked to ISIS come back to Australia.
Background: Reports claimed federal officials were quietly assisting the return of ISIS associates from Syria by issuing travel documents.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister referred the member to her previous answer, stating the reports were incorrect and the government was not providing assistance or repatriating the cohort. When asked about activity since October 2022, she said she did not believe there had been activity but would take it on notice if further assistance was needed. She reiterated that the government was not assisting this group.
Question from Paul Scarr
The member asked whether the beef import ban was discussed during the Prime Minister's meetings with US officials, given the Prime Minister's correction of a minister's earlier statement. He questioned why the Prime Minister would discuss some topics but not others, and whether the biosecurity protocols were changed due to US pressure.
Background: The Prime Minister had corrected a minister's statement regarding discussions with the US President about the beef import ban. The ban was lifted after a long biosecurity review.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister stated that the biosecurity process was independent and had been under review since 2015, unrelated to any negotiations with the United States. She clarified that while the US had publicly raised its views on beef, the decision to lift the ban was based on scientific assessment, not diplomatic pressure. The minister emphasized that Australia's biosecurity standards were not up for negotiation.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Climate Change
Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
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: oppose
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026, Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation
Senate · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation, Victoria: Construction Industry, Economy: Productivity
Senate · Wednesday 12 August 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
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Taxation
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
KPMG Australia
Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
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 · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 22 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Fuel
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Opened this debate
-
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 · Position: oppose
-
Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 23 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 · Tuesday 10 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Freedom of Speech
Senate · Thursday 5 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Economy, Wages and Salaries
Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025, Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Boswell, Hon. Ronald (Ron) Leslie Doyle, AO
Senate · Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Plebiscite (Future Migration Level) Bill 2018; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Sudan
Senate · Thursday 6 November 2025 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Migration, Economy
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Racial Discrimination Act 1975: 50th Anniversary
Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Take Note Debate
Opened this debate
-
Right to Protest Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
International Relations: Australia and Iran
Senate · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Biological Definitions) Bill 2025; First Reading
Senate · Thursday 31 July 2025 · First Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Senate · Tuesday 29 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
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 · Monday 28 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Climate Change
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Members of Parliament: Staffing
Senate · Thursday 24 July 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate
- Votes recorded
- 640
- Aye votes (63.6%)
- 407
- No votes (36.4%)
- 233
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
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; Second Reading
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 23, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
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 -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 22, Noes 31 · 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 -
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 -
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference
8 Sep 2026 · Ayes 37, Noes 22 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
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 -
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 10, Noes 34 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 39 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 32 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exc...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 29, Noes 13 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Veterans: Women's Health
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE
About this page
This page tracks Paul Scarr'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.