Sam Birrell
National Party Member for Nicholls
Currently sitting
Photo: Totallynotarandomalt69, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- National Party - Nicholls (House) - 21 May 2022 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (03) 5821 5371
426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton VIC 3630
Office details: Parliament of Australia, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Contact details on aph.gov.au Profile on OpenAustraliaNot sure if this is your member? Find your electorate (AEC)
These counts cover what is on this site only. They do not measure electorate work or committee work.
Compared with other members
Sam Birrell compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Lower than 67% of House members- This member
- 6
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Higher than 85% of House members- This member
- 60
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Lower than 67% of House members- This member
- 230
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Lower than 71% of House members- This member
- 69%
- Average
- 79%
- Median
- 81%
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 Sam Birrell
The member asked whether the Prime Minister would exclude the possibility of acceding to the Greens' call to end the diesel fuel rebate.
Background: The Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health questioned the Prime Minister on the deal with the Greens regarding diesel fuel.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister criticized the opposition for asking about issues not in the legislation while refusing to engage with the actual bill. He noted the government's cooperation with the Greens to secure Senate support, contrasting this with the opposition's blanket rejection. He defended the government's multicultural values and criticized the Leader of the Opposition for failing to stand up to One Nation on issues of monoculturalism.
Question from Sam Birrell
The member asked for a guarantee that farming families would not be negatively impacted by capital gains tax changes, referencing warnings from agricultural bodies.
Background: A National Party member asked the Minister for Agriculture to guarantee that farming families would not be worse off due to capital gains tax changes, citing concerns from the National Farmers' Federation.
Answer from Julie Collins
The Minister stated that the capital gains tax changes would commence on 1 July 2027 and affect only profits realised after that time. She emphasized that small-business exemptions would apply to many farmers, noting that ABS data indicated nine in ten agriculture, forestry, and fisheries businesses would be eligible for these discounts. The Minister dismissed the opposition's claims as scare campaigns.
Question from Sam Birrell
The member asked whether the Minister considered the current fuel situation to be a national crisis.
Background: The Minister for Climate Change and Energy described the fuel situation as a national crisis.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The Minister confirmed that he regards the war and its implications for fuel as a crisis, citing the International Energy Agency's historic coordinated action. He stated that if farmers or fishing companies cannot access fuel, it is a crisis for them. He criticized the opposition for voting against legislation to manage fuel shortages and for making politics out of a crisis, contrasting this with bipartisan leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Question from Sam Birrell
The member sought confirmation on the failure to deliver the promised energy bill reduction.
Background: The member asked if the minister agreed the government had failed to keep its pledge to cut household energy costs by $275 by 2025.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister acknowledged energy price pressures but attributed them to the previous government leaving the grid with four gigawatts of dispatchable power lost and only one gigawatt added. He contrasted this with the current government adding 7.7 gigawatts of new energy supply. He cited the previous energy minister's failed promise to slash bills by $183 to $400 per annum, noting bills actually rose under the previous administration.
Question from Sam Birrell
The member asked how many Australians had received the promised $275 reduction in their energy bills.
Background: The government had promised a $275 reduction in energy bills.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The Minister stated that 218,000 Australian families had reduced their energy bills close to zero or received rebates through the home battery policy. He also noted that wholesale electricity prices had dropped by 44 per cent during the final quarter of the prior year, comparing current prices to those under the previous government.
Question from Sam Birrell
The member asked if wholesale electricity prices had risen or fallen based on data from the Australian Energy Regulator.
Background: A member asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy whether wholesale electricity prices had risen or fallen according to recent data.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister confirmed that quarterly wholesale prices had risen but noted they were substantially lower than at the time of the election. He provided specific price comparisons for New South Wales and Queensland, showing significant decreases. He attributed the previous price rises to the opposition's failure to replace dispatchable power. He highlighted that 4.4 gigawatts of new capacity had been added in the last financial year, contributing to lower prices.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Whyalla Steelworks
House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Opened this debate
-
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Tertiary Education and Training
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Clean Energy Finance Corporation Amendment (Protecting Australian Farmland) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
National Wild Dog Action Plan
House of Representatives · Monday 17 August 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Senior Australians
House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Responded as shadow minister
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Vocational Education and Training
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Education
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Aged Care
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill 2026, Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 25 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Veterans
House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Consideration in Detail
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
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 June 2026 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Nicholls Electorate: Agriculture
House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Multiculturalism
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Fuel
House of Representatives · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Free TAFE Program
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Key Apprenticeship Program
House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 2026 · General Debate
Responded as shadow minister
-
Cost of Living
House of Representatives · Thursday 12 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Victoria: Bushfires
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Cost of Living
House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Copyright Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach Attack Victims
House of Representatives · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Aged Care
House of Representatives · Monday 24 November 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 4 November 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Dismissal of the Whitlam Government: 50th Anniversary
House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Economy
House of Representatives · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Manufacturing Industry
House of Representatives · Thursday 9 October 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025, Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 9 October 2025 · Second Reading
Responded as shadow minister
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 7 October 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Tuesday 7 October 2025 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
- Votes recorded
- 230
- Aye votes (41.7%)
- 96
- No votes (58.3%)
- 134
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 40 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 89 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 45, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 49, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Albanese Government; Attempted Censure
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 37 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Improved Forest Management in Multi...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 52, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Gun Control
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Veterans
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 49 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 34 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Economy
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Considerati...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Report from Federation Cha...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 90 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bi...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 80 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Report from Federation Chamber
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 84 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 83, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED NO -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026; Second Reading
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Third Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 103, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 102, Noes 14 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 95 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel; Attempted Censure
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Reference to Federation Chamber
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
International Relations: Australia and Japan
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Minister for Defence Industry; Attempted Censure
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026;...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Appointment
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 101 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 33 · Passed
VOTED NO -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 100, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 101, Noes 7 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Anti-Corruption Commission Joint Committee; Consideration of Senate ...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 93, Noes 45 · Passed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Sam Birrell'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.