Voting Record - 48th Parliament

How I vote

As an independent, I consider each legislation on its merits and seek to represent the views of the Warringah community. When I evaluate proposed legislation, I follow this process:

  1. The drafting or technical aspects of proposed legislation
    Is it good at law and does it represent good governance? Is it constitutionally sound?
  2. Intended effects and the evidence in support of the legislation
    What does this seek to do? Is the evidence base rigorous? Is this legislation necessary?
  3. Effect on Warringah
    How will the legislation affect Warringah and Australia? Is this good for the future of the community?
  4. Community views and feedback
    What are the views expressed in submissions from individuals, groups and organisations? What are the subject matter experts saying? What does relevant business think? What is the legal profession’s position?
  5. Ethics of the bill
    Is it ethical? Is it compatible with human rights and international law?

Finally, I also consider the way the legislation has been drafted and presented.

  1. Has there been consultation? Drafts circulated? Briefings?
  2. Has the bill had sufficient time for debate? Has it been properly scrutinised?
  3. What are the politics behind the bill?

 

My voting record (as at 28 November 2025)

Over 80% of legislation passes the final approval point in the House of Representatives without a vote (known as the third reading). This is known as passing on the voices.

Note: No motions moved by Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown have proceeded to a division during the 48th Parliament yet.

Legislation

Category includes: second readings of bills (14 divisions held), second reading amendment motions (11 divisions held), amendments to Bills (29 divisions held), motions that a bill/bills be agreed to (5 divisions held), third readings of bills (3 divisions held), and disallowance motions (1 division held).

I have attended 87% or 55 of the 63 divisions held on legislation, of these I:

  • Voted with the Government: 27% of the time, against 73%
  • Voted with the Opposition: 46% of the time, against 54%
  • Voted against the Government and Opposition: 100% of the time that the Govt and Opp voted together (with Govt and Opp 0%)

The Government and Opposition voted together during 12 divisions on legislation.

Procedural and other motions

Category includes: suspensions of standing orders (8 divisions held), closure motions (7 divisions held), adjournment of debate motions (5 divisions held), other debate management motions (5 divisions held), amendments to Standing Orders (1 division held), dissent from Speaker’s ruling (1 division held), and committee-related motions (2 divisions held).

I have attended 62% or 18 of the 29 divisions held on procedural and other motions, of these I:

  • Voted with the Government: 6% of the time, against 94%
  • Voted with the Opposition: 89% of the time, against 11%
  • Voted against the Government and Opposition: 100% of the time that the Govt and Opp voted together (with Govt and Opp 0%)

The Government and Opposition voted together during only 1 division on procedural and other motions.

Closure (‘gag’) motions

Category includes closure of question motions (7 divisions held).

I have attended 57% or 4 out of 7 divisions held on closing debate or stopping an MP from speaking (closure motions).

I have voted in support of 25% or 1 closure motion.

I have voted against 75% or 3 closure motions.

Abstentions

I have been absent from a vote that went to a division 13 times (16%).

Free/conscience votes

No free/conscience votes that have proceeded to a division have been granted during the 48th Parliament.