Richard Dowling
Australian Labor Party Senator for TAS
Currently sitting
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - TAS (Senate) - 3 May 2025 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (03) 6229 4444
Shop 3, Kingston Plaza, 20 Channel Highway, Kingston TAS 7050
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
Richard Dowling compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 53% of senators- This member
- 12
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Lower than 79% of senators- This member
- 27
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Higher than 55% of senators- This member
- 813
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 62% of senators- This member
- 82%
- 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 Richard Dowling
The senator asked how the digital duty of care would make the internet safer for children and why basic online safety standards were important. He also asked about responses from community groups and faith-based organizations, and whether there were any risks to the government's plan.
Background: The government announced a digital duty of care to safeguard youth against online social media risks and provide adults with greater internet choice.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister explained that tech companies would have a legally enforceable duty to prevent harm, protecting children from harmful content and features across all online services. She noted that users would gain choice over their feeds, including the ability to opt out of algorithms. She cited examples of online harms, such as AI-generated nude images of children, chatbots promoting disordered eating, and grooming on platforms like Roblox. She stated that community groups, including Equality Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the duty of care and wanted parliament to go further. She emphasized that the government was consulting on the standards to ensure they were robust and would work with parliament to implement them.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked the minister to outline the new reforms designed to protect retirement savings from financial misconduct and to detail how the government has acted to safeguard Australians' superannuation.
Background: The Assistant Treasurer announced new reforms to strengthen the superannuation system following the collapse of Shield and First Guardian master funds, which impacted around 12,000 people and $1 billion in savings.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister outlined reforms including banning unlicensed real-time communications, tightening anti-hawking laws, and strengthening penalties for data harvesting. She noted that ASIC would be empowered to direct trustees to remediate failures, while APRA would ensure trustees offering high-risk products meet their responsibilities. She also mentioned progress on financial advice reforms and the introduction of a new class of adviser for super funds.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked the minister to update the Senate on how the government's budget management is delivering cost-of-living relief and building services. He sought details on further support measures and investments in Medicare.
Background: The question highlighted the government's recent tax cuts, wage increases, and payment boosts, citing S&P Global's reaffirmation of Australia's AAA credit rating.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister noted that S&P Global endorsed the government's fiscal management, citing sound fiscal performance and modest public debt. She stated that the government had found savings to meet unmet needs in health, aged care, and defence. She announced an expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment to 10 additional frontline health professions to support students. Regarding Medicare, she reported that the bulk-billing rate rose to 84.1 per cent in the June 2026 quarter, an increase of nearly five percentage points, with Tasmania seeing a rise to 80.8 per cent.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked how the government was delivering relief to households and businesses affected by rising fuel costs. He specifically inquired about the impact of the temporary fuel excise cut and measures to protect consumers from price gouging. He also asked about actions to secure fuel supply reliability.
Background: Global supply chain disruptions from Middle East conflicts were driving up fuel prices.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister outlined several measures, including doubling penalties for price gouging, releasing 20 per cent of fuel reserves, and establishing a Fuel Supply Taskforce. She confirmed the fuel excise was cut by half and the heavy vehicle road user charge was reduced to zero for three months. She noted the ACCC was monitoring prices and investigating misconduct, citing a recent $16 million fine against Mobil. She also mentioned new powers for Export Finance Australia to underwrite fuel purchases to secure additional cargoes.
Question from Richard Dowling
The member asked for an explanation of how Iran's destabilising actions in the Strait of Hormuz were impacting global energy markets and Australia's supply chains. He sought to understand the connection between the conflict and domestic fuel issues.
Background: Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz were disrupting global trade and energy supplies, affecting Australian fuel availability.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister explained that the Strait of Hormuz normally carries 20 million barrels of oil daily, but flow had dropped to less than 10 per cent due to weaponisation. This reduction affected Asian refineries, from which Australia sources most refined fuel. She noted that panic buying had exacerbated shortages and urged Australians to use only what they needed. She confirmed that National Cabinet would convene to coordinate responses, and that Australia was engaging with partners including Singapore, Japan, and China to secure supplies. A joint statement with Singapore on supply-chain resilience was highlighted.
Question from Richard Dowling
The member asked the minister to outline the national accounts data and what it indicated about economic growth, private sector recovery, and investment trends in dwelling and business sectors.
Background: The release of national accounts data showed strong economic growth in 2025, with the private sector recovering.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister reported that the economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the December quarter and 2.6 per cent over the year, the strongest pace in almost three years. She highlighted that private demand growth had tripled while public demand growth halved. Dwelling investment had grown for eight consecutive quarters, rising 0.6 per cent in the quarter. She noted that productivity was up 1 per cent annually, above the 20-year average, and that the government's responsible budget management had reduced debt and interest payments.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked for an update on the latest economic data and the progress made in fighting inflation.
Background: ABS data indicated prices held firm in October yet rose on an annual basis.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister confirmed that inflation was steady in October but rose to 3.8 per cent annually, driven by temporary factors like energy rebates and travel prices. She noted that underlying inflation had fallen to 3.3 per cent from around five per cent when the government took office, allowing the RBA to cut interest rates three times. She emphasized that real wages had grown for eight consecutive quarters and that the government continued to provide cost-of-living relief, including pay rises for minimum-wage workers, increased superannuation to 12 per cent, expanded parental leave, energy bill relief, and Medicare boosts.
Question from Richard Dowling
The member asked how the government was supporting Australians while strengthening the economy, citing positive economic indicators and recent policy actions.
Background: The member highlighted real wage rises, low unemployment, and lower inflation compared to the previous term, alongside cost-of-living relief measures.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister noted that inflation had stayed within the two to three per cent range over three straight quarters, with the Reserve Bank cutting rates three times this year. She emphasised the government's focus on lowering taxes and delivering cost-of-living relief, contrasting this with the opposition's proposed tax increases and nuclear energy plans. She highlighted investments in the National Reconstruction Fund, the National Productivity Fund, and social infrastructure, stating that the government had turned deficits into surpluses and was repairing the budget.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked how the government was delivering Medicare urgent care clinics and how they were helping Australians access healthcare. He followed up by asking how local health services were benefiting from the model and how the clinics were integrated with hospital emergency departments. Finally, he asked how the clinics complemented other actions to strengthen Medicare and improve primary healthcare.
Background: The delivery of 87 Medicare urgent care clinics in the government's first term.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister stated that 90 clinics had been delivered, with over two million visits made and an average of 26,000 visits per week. She noted that one-third of patients were under 15 and that the clinics were free. She announced the opening of 47 more clinics, which would ensure four out of five Australians live within a 20-minute drive of one. Regarding integration, she stated that nearly half of patients would have used hospital emergency departments otherwise, citing data from Tasmania where clinics treated more patients than the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department. She highlighted that 30 per cent of visits occurred on weekends and 25 per cent after 5 pm. Finally, she outlined an $812 billion investment in Medicare to expand bulk-billing, aiming for nine out of 10 GP visits to be bulk-billed by 2030.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator inquired about government actions to boost the economy and benefit Australians during its second term, referencing recent economic statistics and cost-of-living initiatives.
Background: Recent national accounts showed economic growth, and the government had delivered budget surpluses and cost-of-living relief.
Answer from Katy Gallagher
The minister highlighted that the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the June quarter, with annual growth of 1.8 per cent. She noted the government had delivered back-to-back budget surpluses, reducing debt by $177 billion in 2024-25. She emphasised the government's focus on cost-of-living relief, including cheaper medicines and energy bill support, contrasting this with the opposition's record of deficits.
Question from Richard Dowling
The senator asked how the government is making it easier for Australians to buy their first home and how the housing agenda ensures the market works better for renters and buyers.
Background: Young Australians in Tasmania and elsewhere face difficulties saving the required 20 per cent deposit for a home.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister announced that from 1 October, all first-home buyers would be able to purchase a home with a five per cent deposit, delivering on an election promise early. He described this as a measure of fairness and hope for young Australians. Regarding supply, he highlighted the build-to-rent legislation, which aims to deliver 80,000 new rental properties. He criticised the opposition for opposing supply-side measures and for previously supporting demand-side policies that contributed to rising prices.
Question from Richard Dowling
The member asked the minister to outline the government's record on approving renewable energy projects and whether more approvals were in the pipeline. He also asked why policy consistency was important for enticing investment in the energy transition.
Background: The government had committed to 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030. A solar farm in Tasmania had recently been approved.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister announced the approval of the 93rd renewable energy project, the Summerville Solar Farm in New South Wales, which would power 36,000 homes. He noted that 88 projects had been approved since 2022, with four more approved in the preceding four weeks. The minister emphasized that policy certainty was crucial for private sector investment and cited support from business leaders and the Productivity Commission, while criticizing the opposition for opposing net zero.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Taxation
Senate · Tuesday 11 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 2 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Energy
Senate · Monday 24 November 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as minister
-
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Migration, Economy
Senate · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025, Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 3 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 29 October 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Board of Management Functions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 28 October 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as minister
-
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 27 October 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Take Note Debate
Responded as minister
-
Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Economy
Senate · Thursday 28 August 2025 · General Debate
Responded as minister
-
Dowling, Senator Richard
Senate · Tuesday 26 August 2025 · First Speech
Contributed to this debate
-
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 · Thursday 31 July 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; In Committee
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · In Committee
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Energy
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 29 July 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 24 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 813
- Aye votes (26.7%)
- 217
- No votes (73.3%)
- 596
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 NO -
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 -
Migration
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 19, Noes 30 · Failed
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 -
Digital Seller Underperformance Policy; Order for the Production of Documents
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 18 · Passed
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
About this page
This page tracks Richard Dowling'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.