Sarah Witty
Australian Labor Party Member for Melbourne
Currently sitting
Photo: Alison Newman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - Melbourne (House) - 3 May 2025 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (03) 7066 6595
142 Johnston Sreet, Fitzroy VIC 3065
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
Sarah Witty compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 62% of House members- This member
- 15
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Higher than 55% of House members- This member
- 34
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Higher than 73% of House members- This member
- 289
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 98% of House members- This member
- 100%
- 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 Sarah Witty
The member asked what steps the government had taken to increase women's economic participation and what obstacles remained.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Women about actions to grow women's economic participation and barriers to progress.
Answer from Catherine King
The minister reported that the gender pay gap had narrowed from 14.1 per cent to 11.3 per cent, the lowest in history. She noted that women were earning an average of $325 more per week than under the previous government. Key measures included extending paid parental leave to six months with superannuation, lifting wages in aged care and early childhood education, and policies to help lower-income women build retirement savings. She acknowledged ongoing work needed to end violence against women and close the pay gap further.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked the Minister for Education how government reforms were strengthening online protection for children and aiding their learning, and what the response to these measures had been.
Background: The government was introducing reforms to protect children online and improve educational outcomes.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister stated that evidence showed excessive device use in schools correlated with lower academic results, citing PISA data where students using computers more than six hours daily scored 66 points lower. He noted that almost 40 per cent of Australian students were distracted by devices in class. The Minister announced that reducing technology use in schools would be on the agenda for the upcoming education ministers' meeting. He also highlighted the digital duty of care legislation as a measure to combat harmful algorithms affecting children.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked for an update on wage growth, superannuation reforms, and budget management, and what threatened these outcomes.
Background: The member asked about progress on wages, super, and the budget, and the risks to this progress.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer highlighted real wage growth in the June quarter and nominal growth above three per cent for four years. He noted the strengthening of the superannuation system, including raising the rate to 12 per cent. He cited Moody's reaffirmation of Australia's AAA credit rating as evidence of responsible budget management, with gross debt reduced by $200 billion. He contrasted this with the opposition's $110 billion in forward estimates commitments, arguing they posed a risk to wages and super.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was delivering a better deal for working Australians.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Workplace Relations about the government's efforts to improve conditions for working Australians.
Answer from Amanda Rishworth
The minister announced that from 1 July, award-wage workers would receive a 4.75 per cent increase and minimum wage workers a six per cent increase, bringing the average weekly national minimum wage above $1,000. She noted that 14 million Australians would receive tax cuts of up to $268. She also highlighted the introduction of payday super laws, ensuring superannuation is paid earlier and more regularly. She emphasised that these measures represented real change for workers.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government's energy plan is delivering for households and businesses, and what policies would make energy more expensive.
Background: The member sought to highlight the government's progress on cheaper and cleaner energy.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The Minister stated that the default market offer indicated energy bill cuts of as much as 10.7 per cent for homes and 20.9 per cent for small businesses. He observed that electricity emissions dropped by four per cent in 2025. He pointed out that 423,717 batteries had been fitted since 1 July, contributing 12 gigawatt hours of storage. He condemned the opposition for rejecting the Cheaper Home Batteries policy and backing the unsuccessful UNGI scheme.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government is building more homes and how the budget further supports housing supply, and how this compares to alternative approaches.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Housing how the government is building homes and how the budget supports housing supply.
Answer from Clare O'Neil
The Minister stated that new housing commencements had risen 26 per cent in the last year. She highlighted $2 billion in the budget for enabling infrastructure, bringing total housing infrastructure investment to $6.3 billion. She claimed this was 50 times more than the previous government spent on housing infrastructure. She criticized the Opposition for not having a housing minister and for opposing previous housing measures.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was fulfilling its commitments and delivering for Australians.
Background: Global uncertainty and economic pressure were affecting Australians.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister listed numerous achievements including cutting fuel excise, establishing the national strategic reserve, abolishing unfair junior pay rates, ending card surcharges, and launching the Medicare mental health check-in service. He noted 134 Medicare urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines, and 230,000 first-home buyers with five per cent deposits. He also mentioned the 20 per cent student debt cut, the gender pay gap reduction, battery incentives, and free TAFE enrolments. He criticized the opposition for not asking a question from the shadow Treasurer.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was reducing medicine costs and how these measures supported Medicare after a decade of neglect.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Health how the government was making medicines cheaper and how this strengthened Medicare.
Answer from Mark Butler
The Minister highlighted the listing of over 400 new medicines on the PBS, including Ultomiris for myasthenia gravis, reducing costs from $25,000 to $25 per script. He noted that pensioners and concession cardholders had received 90 million free scripts due to safety net changes, with maximum script prices locked at $7.70. For general patients, script prices were capped at $25, saving Australians over $2.3 billion. The Minister emphasized that these measures improved affordability and health outcomes.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was cutting taxes while improving the budget and what risks other approaches posed.
Background: The member sought to highlight the government's economic management compared to the opposition.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer stated that the government had a plan to cut taxes, help with cost of living, and repair the budget, contrasting this with opposition policies of higher income taxes and bigger deficits. He cited criticism of the opposition's economic credibility from former Liberal figures. The Treasurer argued that the opposition's policies would lead to higher debt and deficits, while the government was delivering tax cuts and fiscal responsibility.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was delivering for Australians and what the alternatives to the government's actions were.
Background: The parliamentary year was ending. The question sought a summary of government achievements and a comparison with the opposition.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister listed achievements including student debt cuts, first home buyer assistance, social housing, tax cuts, and healthcare improvements. He criticized the opposition for being defined by what they were against rather than what they were for, citing their opposition to net zero and environmental reforms.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was supporting Australian workers and reducing cost-of-living pressures.
Background: The government had implemented workplace relations reforms.
Answer from Amanda Rishworth
The minister stated that real wage growth was at its strongest rate in five years, with 2.8 million employees covered by enterprise agreements, a record high. She noted that enterprise agreements were delivering average annualised wage increases of 4.2 per cent, which exceeded the increase across the whole economy. She also highlighted that minimum award wages had increased by 3.5 per cent from 1 July, adding $9,120 a year over the term of the government, and that penalty rates were protected.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was assisting Australians to become homeowners and providing new housing stock, and whether there were other proposals under consideration.
Background: The question addressed the government's efforts to address the national housing crisis and assist Australians in achieving homeownership.
Answer from Clare O'Neil
The Minister highlighted that 180,000 Australians had bought their first home under the five per cent deposit program, which was expanding to all new homebuyers from 1 October. She noted that half a million homes had been built since the government took office, with new housing approvals up 30 per cent and 28,000 social and affordable homes in the planning or construction phase. She stated that the build-to-rent scheme was unlocking 80,000 new secure rentals and that Commonwealth rent assistance had increased by almost 50 per cent for a million households. Regarding alternative approaches, she criticised the opposition for blocking housing measures, including the Housing Australia Future Fund, and asserted that the government's plan to build more homes and improve renter conditions was the correct path.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was assisting Australians with student debt to achieve homeownership and what the response to these measures had been.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Education how the government was helping students with debt to buy homes and the response to these reforms.
Answer from Jason Clare
The minister stated that legislation had been passed to cut student debt by 20 per cent, benefiting three million Australians. He noted that for someone earning $70,000, annual repayments would decrease by approximately $1,300. He explained that APRA and ASIC had updated guidance for banks to make it easier for those with student debt to secure mortgages. He estimated that a dual-income couple with student debt could borrow up to $150,000 more for a first home, combining these changes with recent tax and interest rate cuts.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked the minister to detail the government's efforts to deliver on its commitment to reduce student debt and the positive response from the community.
Background: The member asked the Minister for Education about the government's actions to help Australians with student debt and the response to these measures.
Answer from Jason Clare
The minister confirmed that legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent had passed the House, benefiting three million Australians. He noted that the average HECS debt of $27,000 would be reduced by approximately $5,120, with those owing $50,000 seeing a $10,000 reduction. He highlighted structural changes, including raising the repayment threshold from $54,000 to $67,000 and reducing annual repayments for those earning $70,000 by $1,300.
Question from Sarah Witty
The member asked how the government was delivering on its commitment to reduce student debt for Australians.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Education about the government's commitment to helping Australians with student debt.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister announced the introduction of legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent for over three million Australians, including university and vocational education students. He noted that the average HECS debt of $27,000 would be reduced by approximately $5,120. He also explained that the bill would reduce minimum annual repayments, citing an example of a $1,300 reduction for someone earning $70,000.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Carbon Credits and Other Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Transparency) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Women's Health Week
House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Student Ombudsman Levy Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Knox Class Action (Facilitation) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Energy
House of Representatives · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
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: support
-
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Economy
House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Refugees
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
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 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026 · Second Reading
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: support
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 June 2026 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Thursday 28 May 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 23 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
International Women's Day
House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cost of Living
House of Representatives · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples: 18th Anniversary
House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 March 2026 · Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Cost of Living
House of Representatives · Thursday 12 February 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Bondi Beach Attack Victims
House of Representatives · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 27 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Tertiary Education
House of Representatives · Monday 24 November 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Housing
House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fiscal Policy
House of Representatives · Thursday 28 August 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
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
-
Housing
House of Representatives · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 289
- Aye votes (46.4%)
- 134
- No votes (53.6%)
- 155
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 -
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation...
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 52, Noes 86 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Gun Control
9 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 47 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Veterans
7 Sep 2026 · Ayes 88, Noes 49 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
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
About this page
This page tracks Sarah Witty'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.