Tony Sheldon
Australian Labor Party Senator for NSW
Currently sitting
Photo: State of Victoria (Victorian Small Business Commission), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - NSW (Senate) - 1 Jul 2019 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Office: (02) 9719 1078
Suite 11.02, Level 11, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000
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
Tony Sheldon compared with all 76 sitting senators.
Questions asked in Question Time
Higher than 58% of senators- This member
- 13
- Average
- 10.4
- Median
- 10
Debates spoken in
Lower than 91% of senators- This member
- 20
- Average
- 44.8
- Median
- 40
Votes cast
Higher than 61% of senators- This member
- 872
- Average
- 743.0
- Median
- 730
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 57% of senators- This member
- 78%
- 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 Tony Sheldon
The senator asked for an update on how the legislation would generate employment, ensure equitable wages, reduce expenses for households, and enhance child protection.
Background: Parliament passed legislation locking in a 15 per cent pay rise for early educators to address workforce instability.
Answer from Jess Walsh
The minister reported that the pay rise provides an extra $255 per week for full-time educators, helping them cover living costs. She noted that 20,000 new educators had joined the sector since the announcement, improving workforce stability. She confirmed that centers receiving payments must limit fee increases to protect families. Regarding safety, she stated that centers failing to meet national safety standards from July next year would lose funding. In response to supplementary questions, she shared anecdotes from educators about the positive impact on their careers and criticized the opposition and One Nation for not supporting workers.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked the minister to outline how many changes would benefit gig workers and how the government was providing stronger protections for workers beyond the gig economy. He sought details on threats to the worker safety net.
Background: New minimum workplace standards for gig economy workers came into effect, including a safety net wage.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that gig economy workers, such as food delivery drivers, would now receive a guaranteed minimum wage of $32 an hour, as determined by the Fair Work Commission. He highlighted that these world-leading laws closed loopholes that previously left workers without fair pay or sick leave. The minister emphasized that the government was pro-worker and pro-superannuation, contrasting this with the opposition's stance. He listed other protections including enshrining penalty rates in law, closing the gender pay gap, and ensuring equal pay for equal work, arguing that the opposition and One Nation posed a threat to these gains.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked about the significance of the $2.5 billion joint investment to secure the site's future beyond 2028 and its importance for national resilience.
Background: The Prime Minister and the NSW Premier announced a joint plan to keep the Tomago Aluminium smelter open.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister confirmed the $2.5 billion investment, shared equally between state and federal governments, would keep the smelter open and support jobs in the Hunter region. She noted the plan enables commercially viable operations after 2028 and increases renewable energy capacity, including almost three gigawatts of new clean energy and stabilisation capacity. She emphasized the importance of domestic aluminium production for economic resilience.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how the wage review decision would provide cost-of-living relief for workers. He also sought details on the importance and support for the recent pay rise extension for early childhood educators.
Background: The Fair Work Commission had released its 2026 annual wage review decision, and the government had announced funding for early childhood educator pay rises.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the Fair Work Commission raised modern award pay by 4.75 per cent and the national minimum wage by six per cent starting 1 July, marking the fifth consecutive real wage increase under the government. He noted that the minimum wage would rise above $1,000 per week, representing a $12,079 annual increase since the government took office. Regarding early childhood educators, the minister highlighted a $3.6 billion investment providing a $255 weekly pay rise, aimed at helping educators stay in the sector and reducing costs for parents.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked the minister to outline how the budget would deliver better outcomes for workers, particularly regarding wages growth. He further asked how the government was helping younger workers earn more and why parliamentary support for these measures was important.
Background: The member asked how the budget would deliver better outcomes for workers, citing ABS data showing wages growth above three per cent.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that the budget included a $250 Working Australians Tax Offset for 13.3 million workers, representing the most meaningful increase to the tax-free threshold in over a decade. He noted that the government would advocate for a real wage increase for minimum award wage earners, benefiting 2.7 million workers. The minister highlighted that the minimum wage had increased by more than $9,000 per year since Labor took office. Regarding young workers, he pointed to the removal of lower pay scales for those aged 18 to 20 in some sectors, allowing tens of thousands to earn adult wages.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how the same-job same-pay laws and other reforms were helping Australians deal with cost-of-living pressures. He sought details on the benefits to workers.
Background: Same-job same-pay laws had been in effect for nearly 18 months. The government had also criminalized wage theft and reformed paid parental leave.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that over 8,000 workers had benefited from same-job same-pay laws, including Qantas flight attendants receiving up to $20,000 annual raises and BHP mine workers receiving up to $30,000. He noted that wage theft was now a criminal offence. He also highlighted paid parental leave reforms that increased leave by two weeks, added $775 to entitlements, and included superannuation payments.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked about the importance of higher wages for workers. He followed up by asking how the government had improved working conditions and helped keep Australians in their jobs.
Background: The government highlighted wage growth and job creation as key achievements in addressing cost-of-living pressures.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that pay rose by 3.4 per cent through to December 2025. He pointed to more than 1.2 million new jobs created since May 2022. He noted law reforms such as closing loopholes, repairing the labour hire system, and improving flexible work options. He condemned the opposition’s previous policies and their confidential election review, alleging it acknowledged blame for their loss.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how much wages had risen since the reforms and how this helped with cost-of-living challenges.
Background: The Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms had been in effect for over three years.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that employees covered by enterprise agreements received a mean weekly wage of $1,746.10 during May 2025, representing a 9.6 per cent increase from 2023. She observed that 4.5 million individuals had their remuneration determined via such agreements. Addressing supplementary queries, she highlighted the significance of wage growth and referenced record job numbers of 14.6 million Australians, with joblessness at 4.1 per cent. She juxtaposed these figures against the opposition's internal leadership conflicts.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how the Albanese Labor government was responding to the horrific events at Bondi Beach to ensure national unity and safety.
Background: The question sought to highlight the government's response to the December 14 Bondi Beach shootings, which were described as an antisemitic, ISIS-inspired terrorist attack.
Answer from Penny Wong
The minister condemned the attack as an act of antisemitic violence inspired by ISIS and paid tribute to victims and emergency responders. She outlined the establishment of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and an independent review by Dennis Richardson into federal law enforcement agencies. The minister noted that the government had introduced new powers for the Home Affairs Minister to reject or cancel visas for those spreading hate. She also mentioned investments in mental health support for those affected by the trauma of the attack.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The senator asked why increasing housing supply was necessary and what impact the build-to-rent policy would have on renters and buyers.
Background: Senator Sheldon asked about the necessity of increasing housing supply and the impact of the build-to-rent legislation.
Answer from Tim Ayres
The minister stated that 28,000 homes were under construction or in planning, contrasting this with 373 homes built over a decade under the previous government. He highlighted that the build-to-rent policy would deliver 80,000 new rental properties with rent caps. He criticized the opposition for opposing foreign investment in housing and noted that the government had invested $43 billion in housing since 2022.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how affected communities are responding and what support is available.
Background: Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused flooding and damage in South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister outlined joint funding with state governments for essential services loss, emergency essentials, and structural safety. She mentioned Commonwealth-only assistance including disaster recovery payments and allowances. She highlighted the deployment of the national emergency stockpile, including sandbags and generators, and the use of aerial assets. She criticized the opposition for not ruling out cuts to the National Emergency Management Agency.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked how government policies were helping Australians earn more and why secure, well-paid jobs were critical.
Background: The member highlighted positive feedback from workers regarding workplace relations reforms.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister stated that workplace relations changes had led to real wages growing for four consecutive quarters and the creation of over one million jobs since May 2022. He noted that the gender pay gap had reached an unprecedented low, as female average weekly earnings rose by $173.80. He emphasized that the right to disconnect helped reduce unpaid overtime and that casual workers had a clearer pathway to permanency. He contrasted these outcomes with the opposition's plan to repeal these rights, arguing that workers would be worse off under a Liberal government.
Question from Tony Sheldon
The member asked for an update on the current situation regarding the floods in North Queensland and how the government would support recovery efforts.
Background: Severe weather and flooding affected communities across North Queensland, cutting off areas and causing loss of life.
Answer from Murray Watt
The minister reported that widespread rainfall had caused flooding over an area spanning more than 400 kilometres, cutting off many communities. He noted that five national helicopters, including assets from the Australian Defence Force, were supporting state emergency services, marking the first deployment of national aerial assets outside of bushfires. He expressed condolences for the death in Ingham and thanked first responders. In response to supplementary questions, he confirmed that personal hardship payments of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five or more had been activated for specific regions. He also announced a period of emergency for childcare services in North Queensland, providing gap-fee waivers. Regarding long-term preparation, he highlighted a disaster preparedness program involving over 2,500 people, an additional $35 million commitment for aerial capability, and nearly $750 million invested in the Disaster Ready Fund for projects such as cyclone shelters and drainage improvements.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Second Reading
Responded as minister
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Grocery Prices
Senate · Thursday 2 July 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 30 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Thursday 5 March 2026 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Hanson, Senator Pauline Lee; Censure
Senate · Monday 2 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 28 July 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
Senate · Wednesday 26 March 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Albanese Government
Senate · Tuesday 11 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Cost of Living
Senate · Monday 10 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Answers to Questions
Senate · Monday 10 February 2025 · Take Note Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Central Australia: Crime and Community Safety
Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Antisemitism
Senate · Tuesday 4 February 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 872
- Aye votes (30.2%)
- 263
- No votes (69.8%)
- 609
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 -
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 -
Artificial Intelligence
14 Sep 2026 · Ayes 14, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Tony Sheldon'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.