Zhi Soon
Australian Labor Party Member for Banks
Currently sitting
Seat and party history (1)
- Australian Labor Party - Banks (House) - 3 May 2025 to present
- Seat and party records: OpenAustralia member data.
Contact
Electorate office: (02) 9353 0588
22 Revesby Place, Revesby NSW 2212
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
Zhi Soon compared with all 150 sitting House members.
Questions asked in Question Time
Same as the median- This member
- 12
- Average
- 11.2
- Median
- 12
Debates spoken in
Higher than 50% of House members- This member
- 31
- Average
- 35.9
- Median
- 30.5
Votes cast
Higher than 54% of House members- This member
- 272
- Average
- 253.0
- Median
- 265
Share of divisions voted in
Higher than 71% of House members- This member
- 94%
- 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 Zhi Soon
The member asked what recent results indicated about Australian students' performance compared to other countries and what this demonstrated regarding the need for reform.
Background: The member asked about recent international student performance results and the importance of education reform.
Answer from Jason Clare
The Minister reported that Australia ranked 11th in reading and science and 17th in maths in the PISA results, while noting significant improvements in the United Kingdom due to long-term reforms like phonics mandates. He argued that the results highlighted a correlation between high screen time and lower academic performance, advocating for a digital detox in schools. He linked online exposure to negative social attitudes among young men and emphasised the importance of the government's digital duty of care announcement to protect children from harmful algorithms.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked why and how the government was strengthening universal superannuation and how this compared to other approaches.
Background: The government was promoting its record on strengthening the superannuation system.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer stated that the government had boosted the super guarantee to 12 per cent, introduced super on paid parental leave, and increased the Low Income Super Tax Offset for 1.3 million workers. He argued that the opposition did not support universal superannuation, citing historical comments from Liberal Party figures. He framed the upcoming election as a referendum on whether workers would retain universal superannuation or see it undermined.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government was reinforcing Australia's social media ban to protect children and ensure social media companies fulfilled their social responsibilities.
Background: A government member asked the Prime Minister about the government's efforts to strengthen social media laws to protect children from online harm.
Answer from Anthony Albanese
The Prime Minister noted that the social media ban for under-16s had been supported across the parliament and had influenced 20 other countries to implement similar legislation. He acknowledged parents who had campaigned for these changes due to personal tragedies. He announced that new legislation would be introduced to give the eSafety Commissioner expanded enforcement powers and to double the fines for non-compliant social media companies. He emphasised the need to hold companies accountable for profiting while causing harm to vulnerable young people.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government is delivering cheaper medicines.
Background: The member sought to highlight the government's record on cheaper medicines after a decade of cuts.
Answer from Mark Butler
The Minister reported that 450 new or amended PBS listings had been made since the government took office. He highlighted new listings for blood cancer treatments, Blincyto and Calquence, which reduce costs from $230,000 and $7,000 per month respectively to PBS prices. He stated that nearly $3 billion in co-payment savings had been achieved by Australians, and pensioners have received 90 million additional free scripts. The maximum co-pay for concession card holders is frozen at $7.70, and non-concession holders pay no more than $25.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked about the impact of the Middle East conflict on global energy and fuel supply chains and requested details on government actions to ensure Australia's preparedness.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy how the Middle East conflict was impacting global supply chains and what preparations Australia had made.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The Minister stated that Australia was better prepared than ever, citing 38 days of petrol and 30 days of diesel and jet fuel reserves held domestically. He noted the release of 20 per cent of the national fuel reserve, conditional on flow to regional Australia, with over 500 million litres currently flowing. He contrasted this with previous administrations where reserves were held overseas. The Minister highlighted the draft default market offer reducing energy prices by 4.6 per cent for households and 10.1 per cent for small businesses. He also pointed to reduced gas usage due to renewable energy and home batteries, noting 286,831 home batteries installed since July 1 and the launch of the Padstow community battery.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government was helping Australians achieve homeownership and what other housing options were being considered.
Background: A government member asked about helping Australians into homeownership and alternative housing options.
Answer from Clare O'Neil
The minister stated that the government had helped 230,000 Australians into their first home through a $45 billion housing agenda. She criticized the opposition's previous 'super for housing' policy, arguing it would have increased house prices and harmed retirement savings. She noted that the shadow Treasurer had undermined his own shadow minister by calling the policy 'too timid'.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government approached budget repair and how this compared to other approaches.
Background: The government recently released a mid-year budget update detailing savings and revenue revisions.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer described the mid-year update as the most responsible on record, noting it improved the bottom line every year of the forward estimates. He highlighted a $233 billion budget improvement, $114 billion in savings, and a reduction in gross debt by $176 billion. He contrasted this with the previous government's record of missing surplus targets, higher spending growth, and increased debt. He also noted upcoming tax cuts under the current government versus proposed tax hikes by the opposition.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member requested details on how the government was making it easier to see bulk-billing doctors and why this was important after a decade of cuts.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Health and Ageing about strengthening Medicare and bulk-billing.
Answer from Mark Butler
The minister reported that almost 2,800 practices had registered as 100 per cent bulk-billing clinics, including over 1,000 that had previously charged gap fees. He highlighted the tripling of bulk-billing incentives for concession card holders and three major increases to the Medicare rebate. He announced the opening of 47 urgent care clinics and cheaper medicines from 1 January, contrasting this with the opposition's past record of freezing rebates.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked what the government was doing to capitalize on the global move to cleaner energy and how this approach compared to alternative strategies.
Background: The government is pursuing a transition to cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy. Treasury modelling supports an orderly transition to boost investment and living standards.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer stated that Treasury modelling showed an orderly transition to renewables would boost investment and living standards. He emphasized that EPBC reforms would facilitate faster construction of renewable energy projects. He warned that a disorderly transition or abandoning net zero entirely, as the opposition was calling for, would cause economic damage. He criticized the opposition's nuclear proposal as economically extreme and divisive, contrasting it with the government's considered approach.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government was acting on climate change and what other policy proposals were being investigated.
Background: The government had been implementing climate and energy policies.
Answer from Chris Bowen
The minister reported that 78,124 households had installed cheaper home batteries and that renewables had surpassed coal in the main grid for the first time. He stated these actions supported the emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent. Regarding other policies, he dismissed the opposition's nuclear energy proposal, citing the cancellation of the NuScale small modular reactor project due to high costs and lack of buyers, and stated there was no nuclear renaissance.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked what preparations were being made for the Economic Reform Roundtable scheduled for the following month and how the government's efforts would tackle major economic challenges.
Background: A government member asked the Treasurer about preparations for the upcoming Economic Reform Roundtable and how it would address economic challenges.
Answer from Jim Chalmers
The Treasurer highlighted recent economic progress, including reduced inflation, growing real wages, and low unemployment. He stated that the roundtable would convene in Canberra to build consensus on addressing persistent structural issues such as skills, energy, housing, and competition policy. He noted that while unanimous agreement was not expected, the three-day event would help set general directions and generate specific ideas. He confirmed that the agenda would be released shortly and that further work would follow the roundtable ahead of the next budget.
Question from Zhi Soon
The member asked how the government was delivering on commitments to help workers increase their income and retain a larger share of their earnings.
Background: A government member asked the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations about helping workers earn more.
Answer from Amanda Rishworth
The Minister reported 18 months of real wage growth, a record number of employees covered by enterprise agreements, and the closure of the labour hire loophole. She highlighted the right-to-disconnect laws, a record low gender pay gap, pay increases for early educators and aged-care workers, and a $9,120 annual increase for minimum wage earners since 2022. She announced upcoming legislation to ban unfair non-compete clauses and protect penalty rates.
Other Parliamentary Activity
-
Gaudron, Hon. Mary Genevieve, KC
House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Tertiary Education and Training
House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Privatisation
House of Representatives · Tuesday 18 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Senior Australians
House of Representatives · Thursday 13 August 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 August 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
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
-
Cybersafety
House of Representatives · Thursday 2 July 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Health Care
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Education
House of Representatives · Monday 29 June 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Early Childhood Education
House of Representatives · Monday 29 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: support
-
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: support
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Security and Defence Partnership between the Commonwealth of Australia and the European Union
House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Budget
House of Representatives · Monday 25 May 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Trade with the European Union
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Superannuation
House of Representatives · Monday 30 March 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Energy
House of Representatives · Monday 2 March 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
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Government Spending
House of Representatives · Monday 9 February 2026 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: oppose
-
Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Thursday 5 February 2026 · Second Reading
Opened this debate
-
Bondi Beach Attack Victims
House of Representatives · Monday 19 January 2026 · Condolence
Contributed to this debate
-
Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025; Second Reading
House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · Second Reading
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Albanese Government
House of Representatives · Monday 3 November 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Consideration in Detail
House of Representatives · Wednesday 8 October 2025 · Consideration in Detail
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Banking and Financial Services
House of Representatives · Tuesday 7 October 2025 · General Debate
Opened this debate
-
Freedom of Information
House of Representatives · Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Matter of Public Importance
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
-
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
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
-
Women's Economic Security
House of Representatives · Monday 25 August 2025 · General Debate
Contributed to this debate · Position: support
- Votes recorded
- 272
- Aye votes (46.0%)
- 125
- No votes (54.0%)
- 147
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 -
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 -
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
11 Aug 2026 · Ayes 74, Noes 12 · Passed
VOTED AYE
About this page
This page tracks Zhi Soon'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.