Sam Lim
Australian Labor Party Member for Tangney
Currently sitting
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - Tangney (House) - 21 May 2022 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (08) 9354 9633
6 Aveley Street, Willetton WA 6155
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 Lim compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 71% of House members- This member
- 16
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Lower than 84% of House members- This member
- 14
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Higher than 85% of House members- This member
- 318
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 73% of House members- This member
- 96%
- 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 Lim
The member asked how new PBS listings were helping Australians living with motor neurone disease.
Background: New medicines were being listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to help patients with MND.
Answer from Mark Butler
The minister announced that a new drug, Qalsody, would be listed on the PBS from 1 October for patients with a specific SOD1 protein mutation. He noted that the drug had shown extraordinary results in halting disease progression for some patients. He stated that the treatment would cost $25 per script instead of over $28,000, benefiting approximately 70 patients per year.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how the AusAlert trial performed and what other investments were being made ahead of the higher risk weather season.
Background: A government member asked about the performance of the AusAlert trial and further investments in emergency management.
Answer from Kristy McBain; Anthony Albanese
The Minister reported that the AusAlert test on 27 July was successful, with over 94 per cent of cell towers broadcasting the alert. She noted the system would be ready in October. She highlighted investments in the National Emergency Management Agency, the Disaster Ready Fund with 449 projects, and $100 million for aerial firefighting. She also mentioned Australian firefighters deployed to Canada, the US, and France to assist with wildfires.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked what additional support was provided to small businesses from that day and what risks existed.
Background: The member asked about additional support for small businesses starting that day and associated risks.
Answer from Anne Aly
The Minister stated that the $20,000 instant asset write-off was made permanent, and a two-year loss carry-back was extended for companies with up to $1 billion turnover. She noted the removal of 497 nuisance tariffs, saving businesses $127 million annually, and free access to mandatory standards. She warned that the opposition had voted against tax cuts for workers and sole traders.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how government investment in defence was delivering well-paid, secure jobs after a decade of perceived waste.
Background: The member asked about government investment in defence and job creation.
Answer from Richard Marles
The Minister highlighted the role of small and medium businesses in the defence industry, citing Australian Safety Engineers as an example. He noted that employment in defence manufacturing had increased by 11 per cent since the government took office. He attributed this to record spending on defence procurement. He contrasted this with the previous government's $42 billion in unfunded defence commitments. He stated that the current government was backing the defence industry to keep Australians safe.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked what the government was doing to improve the affordability and accessibility of quality early education and care, and what the response had been.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Education about making early education more affordable and accessible.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister outlined five reforms: cheaper childcare laws saving families over $11,000; the 3 Day Guarantee helping tens of thousands of children; building childcare centres in schools; safety reforms including banning mobile phones; and a 15 per cent pay rise for workers, which added 20,000 workers to the sector. He noted that providers must cap fees and meet safety standards to receive funding, resulting in lower costs for parents and better conditions for workers.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked the Minister for Social Services how the government was working to reduce family, domestic, and sexual violence.
Background: A government member asked about government efforts to reduce violence.
Answer from Tanya Plibersek
The Minister noted the launch of a consultation on the next action plan to address evolving challenges like tech-facilitated abuse. She stated the government had invested an extra $4.4 billion in this area, including $1.2 billion for crisis housing and $218 million for First Nations communities. She highlighted increases in funding for the 500 Workers program and 1800RESPECT, as well as $80 million for children's counselling. She confirmed the introduction of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave and legislation to prevent social security weaponization.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked why the government's cost-of-living assistance was important and how it compared to alternative approaches.
Background: A government member asked why the government's cost-of-living help was important and how it compared to other approaches.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer highlighted the government's submission for a real wage increase for award workers and efforts to secure fuel supply. He criticized the opposition for voting against legislation to increase penalties for price gouging and for opposing tax cuts for 14 million workers. He noted that the opposition leader had previously promised to repeal those tax cuts. The Treasurer emphasized that the government was dealing with serious issues seriously, including tax cuts, fuel market interventions, and wage increases, while criticizing the shadow Treasurer's actions.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked what the government was doing to improve university accessibility and affordability.
Background: The member asked about making university more accessible and affordable.
Answer from Jason Clare
The minister highlighted that student debt had been cut by 20 per cent and that free university bridging courses were available. He announced that the Australian Tertiary Education Commission would develop a national credit recognition framework to allow TAFE qualifications to count towards university degrees, potentially making the first year of university free for those with relevant TAFE credentials.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked about the importance of the treaty and how it would strengthen Australia's relationship with Indonesia.
Background: A historic treaty between Australia and Indonesia was signed the previous week.
Answer from Richard Marles
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the treaty obliges both nations to consult on security challenges, marking the first such commitment since 1995. He noted it includes leader-level consultations and builds on existing defence cooperation agreements. He mentioned ongoing support for training facilities in Indonesia and opportunities for senior Indonesian military leaders to be embedded in the Australian Defence Force.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked about the opportunities for acting on climate change, any risks involved, and the economic consequences for Australia if no action was taken.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to outline the economic opportunities and risks associated with climate action.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister highlighted that 80,005 households had installed cheaper home batteries under the government's policy, noting high uptake in regional New South Wales and Western Australia. He stated that farmers would receive approximately $1 billion in payments for hosting renewable infrastructure between now and 2030, rising to $8 billion by 2050. He criticized the opposition for denying climate science and argued that failing to act would prevent Australia from seizing these economic opportunities.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked why it was important to strengthen Medicare and invest in aged care after years of cuts.
Background: The member asked why strengthening Medicare and aged care was important after decades of neglect.
Answer from Mark Butler
The minister stated that strengthening health and social care was in Labor's DNA and necessary to address the mess inherited from the previous government. He criticised the Leader of the Opposition for extending Medicare rebate freezes and cutting aged care funds, which he argued contributed to the sector's crisis. He highlighted the government's addition of packages in multiple budgets.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how acting on climate change serves the national interest and Australian households, and what policy proposals would negatively impact Western Australia.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy about the national interest in acting on climate change and policies that might take Western Australia backwards.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister highlighted the uptake of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, noting that households could save $2,300 annually. He cited economic modeling showing that net zero policies would make households $2,000 better off and create 34,000 jobs in Western Australia by 2025. He stated that any attempt to unwind net zero targets would take Western Australia backwards, criticizing the Western Australian Liberal Party for opposing net zero.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how the government was building a future made in Australia by supporting the resources sector.
Background: A government member asked about supporting a strong and resilient resources sector.
Answer from Madeleine King
The minister highlighted that the iron ore industry exports over $100 billion annually. She cited Mitsui's $8.4 billion investment in Rio Tinto's Rhodes Ridge project and Rio's $2 billion Western Ridge mine. She noted the government's support for critical minerals through production tax credits, citing projects in Eneabba and Kathleen Valley. She criticized the opposition for opposing these investments and trading relationships.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how the government was assisting working Australians to purchase homes and what alternative policies could make homeownership more difficult.
Background: A government member asked the Housing Minister how the government was helping Australians buy homes and what alternative approaches might hinder this.
Answer from Clare O'Neil
The Minister stated that the government was working with states to build 1.2 million homes and had expanded the Home Guarantee Scheme, helping 150,000 Australians. She announced the Help to Buy scheme for 40,000 workers and noted that 500,000 homes had been built since the election. She criticized the opposition's 'super for housing' policy, arguing it would increase house prices by $92,000 and transfer wealth from young to older generations.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how the government's economic management was helping with inflation and what alternative approaches would leave Australians worse off.
Background: The member asked about the government's economic management in fighting inflation and the cost of living.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer stated that inflation had fallen to mid-twos for headline and low threes for underlying measures, while unemployment remained at historic lows. He highlighted back-to-back budget surpluses and a $177 billion reduction in debt. He argued that the opposition's plan to cut $350 billion and fund nuclear reactors would require cuts to Medicare, pensions, and housing, leaving Australians worse off.
Question from Sam Lim
The member asked how the government was prioritising cost-of-living relief and what alternative policies would leave people worse off.
Background: A government member asked the Deputy Prime Minister to outline the government's progress on cost-of-living issues and identify alternative approaches that would harm Australians.
Answer from Richard Marles
The Deputy Prime Minister listed measures including cheaper medicines, affordable childcare, energy bill relief, real wage growth, and tax cuts. He stated that inflation had fallen from 6.1 per cent to 2.4 per cent and that the government had delivered two budget surpluses. He warned that the opposition's plan to cut $350 billion in services and fund a $600 billion nuclear power scheme would require cuts to Medicare and other services, leaving households worse off.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 June 2026 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026, Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
House of Representatives · Thursday 12 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Tangney Electorate: Energy
House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset
House of Representatives · Monday 24 November 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
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
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Police Week
House of Representatives · Monday 1 September 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 27 August 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Moore, Hon. John Colinton, AO
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Hughes, Hon. Thomas Eyre Forrest, AO, KC
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Western Australia: Economy
House of Representatives · Monday 10 February 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 318
- Aye votes (47.8%)
- 152
- No votes (52.2%)
- 166
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans' Healthcare With...
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 40 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
17 Sep 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 89 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 85, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 9, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 45, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance ...
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
16 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 13 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 49, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Consideration of Legislation
15 Sep 2026 · Ayes 69, Noes 10 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 43, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Albanese Government; Attempted Censure
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 46, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Statute Update Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 95, Noes 37 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minim...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative-Improved Forest Management in Multi...
10 Sep 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 92 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Consideration of Senate Message
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 84, Noes 34 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Economy
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Considerati...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 36 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Report from Federation Cha...
20 Aug 2026 · Ayes 39, Noes 90 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bi...
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 38, Noes 80 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Report from Federation Chamber
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 41, Noes 84 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Report from Federation Chamber
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 10, Noes 67 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 83, Noes 44 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 65 · Failed
VOTED NO -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 69 · Failed
VOTED NO -
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026; Second Reading
19 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED NO -
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 11, Noes 62 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 58 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 61 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 58 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 95 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Consideration in ...
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 96, Noes 9 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026; Second Reading
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 12, Noes 85 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
18 Aug 2026 · Ayes 87, Noes 48 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel; Attempted Censure
17 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 43 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026; Reference to Federation Chamber
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 40, Noes 83 · Failed
VOTED NO -
International Relations: Australia and Japan
12 Aug 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 41 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 42, Noes 87 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 74, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 86, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 90, Noes 42 · Passed
VOTED AYE
About this page
This page tracks Sam Lim'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.