Wendy Askew
Liberal Party Senator for TAS
No longer sitting
Seat and party history (1)
- Liberal Party - TAS (Senate) - 6 Mar 2019 to 10 Aug 2026
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
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.
Question Time
Question from Wendy Askew
The member asked how many older Australians had died waiting for assessed care in the past 12 months and questioned whether the government was waiting for people to die before providing support.
Background: The member cited reports that 4,812 Australians died in 2024-25 waiting for approved care and referenced a specific case of an elderly man who died while waiting.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister did not provide a specific death toll, instead stating that no one wished to see older people die waiting for care. She argued that the previous government had cut $212 billion from aged care and that the current government was investing $47 billion in the upcoming financial year. She described the reforms as a long-term project to address generational demand. In supplementary answers, she announced an additional $3.7 billion investment to deliver 5,000 extra aged care beds annually and free personal care services. She asserted that every person assessed as urgent priority received full funding within a month.
Question from Wendy Askew
The senator asked how the government achieved the Prime Minister's promise of free GP visits given the low bulk-billing rates and high out-of-pocket costs. She followed up by asking if the Prime Minister or the health department was wrong about the costs. She also asked when the average out-of-pocket cost would reach zero.
Background: The senator cited reports that only 13 per cent of metropolitan GP clinics would bulk-bill under the new program, with average out-of-pocket costs at $49.14.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister attributed the previous decline in bulk-billing to the Coalition's freeze on rebates. She stated that the government was making historic investments to repair Medicare and noted that over a thousand practices had indicated interest in becoming fully bulk-billing. She reiterated the government's intention to increase bulk-billing rates to fulfill the promise of universal healthcare, framing the current measures as a response to damage done by the previous government.
Question from Wendy Askew
The member asked if the minister would apologise to the constituent and others who lost loved ones while waiting for assessed care. She cited specific delays and the tragic outcome of a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Background: The member presented the case of a constituent whose husband died while waiting for a home-care package, which was allocated only after he was hospitalized.
Answer from Jenny McAllister
The minister acknowledged the case and stated that reforms are designed to centre people in the aged-care system. She attributed the current situation to a period of neglect under the previous government and noted that high-priority assessments are now completed within a month. She highlighted that access to in-home care has grown from 155,000 to over 300,000 people in five years.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: mixed
-
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Thursday 25 June 2026 · Limitation of Debate
Contributed to this debate
-
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Clearing the Fair Work Commission Backlog) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Clearing the Fair Work Commission Backlog) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Wednesday 24 June 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026; First Reading
Senate · Tuesday 23 June 2026 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Private Health Insurance
Senate · Tuesday 12 May 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Bondi Beach: Attack
Senate · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Unlocking Supply of Family Homes Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Unlocking Supply of Family Homes Bill 2025; First Reading
Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Housing Australia
Senate · Tuesday 25 November 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Second Reading
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; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025 · Limitation of Debate
Contributed to this debate
-
Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025; First Reading
Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Watson, Mr John Odin Wentworth, AM
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Providing Certainty and Improving Integrity) Bill 2025; Second Reading
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Providing Certainty and Improving Integrity) Bill 2025; First Reading
Senate · Monday 25 August 2025 · First Reading
Contributed to this debate
-
Middle East
Senate · Wednesday 30 July 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
- Votes recorded
- 772
- Aye votes (55.2%)
- 426
- No votes (44.8%)
- 346
Showing the latest 50 votes.
-
Australian Defence Force; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Australian Defence Force; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 15, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Nuclear Waste Management; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 15, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
International Relations: Australia and Papua New Guinea; Order for the Produc...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 15, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
International Relations: Australia and Nauru; Order for the Production of Doc...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
National Anti-Corruption Commission; Order for the Production of Documents
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 15, Noes 25 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Economics References Committee; Reference
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Selection of Bills Committee; Report
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 24 · Passed
VOTED NO -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In C...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 22 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In C...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026; In C...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments...
2 Jul 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Cost of Living
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Common Sense and Recognising Biologic...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 21, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Consideration of Legislation
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Universal Periodic Review
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Regulations 2026; Disallowanc
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 27 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Rearrangement
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 25, Noes 11 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Rearrangement
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 27, Noes 11 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 31, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 32, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 20...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 19 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and...
1 Jul 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Senior Australians
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
One Nation
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 10, Noes 28 · Failed
VOTED NO -
One Nation
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 28, Noes 11 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Anti-Discrimination Legislation Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identit...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 6 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Anti-Discrimination Legislation Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identit...
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 8 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Superannuation; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Department of the Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Clean Energy Finance Corporation; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Corruption in the Construction Industry Select Committee; Appointment
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Metrea Australia; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Reporting Date
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 24, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
National Anti-Corruption Commission Joint Committee; Direction to Committee
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 34, Noes 20 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Housing; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 35, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Economics References Committee; Order for the Production of Documents
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 21 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Proposed Works
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 33, Noes 5 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Postponement
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 11, Noes 24 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; In Committee
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 30 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; Second Readin
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 28, Noes 10 · Passed
VOTED AYE -
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026; Second Readin
30 Jun 2026 · Ayes 20, Noes 31 · Failed
VOTED AYE -
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, A...
29 Jun 2026 · Ayes 5, Noes 38 · Failed
VOTED NO -
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, A...
29 Jun 2026 · Ayes 10, Noes 33 · Failed
VOTED NO
About this page
This page tracks Wendy Askew'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.