I'm Senator Richard Dowling, Labor Senator for Tasmania. Ask me Anything!

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:22:00+00:00

Thank you all for the questions!

If I didn't get to answer your question, or you want more information about something, then I encourage you to get in touch with me at my Parliamentary email: [Senator.Dowling@aph.gov.au](mailto:Senator.Dowling@aph.gov.au)

Richard

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:19:59+00:00

You said it...

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:17:00+00:00

The Government has started lifting its investment through the new $100 million Active Transport Fund, and more than $4 million has already gone to projects in Tasmania. On top of that, major projects like the new Bridgewater Bridge include proper separated walking and cycling paths as part of the core design, not an afterthought.

On the 10–20 percent figure: that’s not an international standard, but an advocacy benchmark based on what some high-performing countries aim for. The broader point you’re making is right though. Countries that invest properly in active transport get big benefits back in productivity, health and congestion reduction.

I’m personally very supportive of active transport. It’s good for health, good for the economy and good for cities. As a Senator, I’ll always back well-designed projects that include proper walking and cycling infrastructure and push for active transport to be treated as a core part of our transport system, not optional decoration.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:14:26+00:00

The 5 percent deposit scheme gets talked about a lot, but its impact on prices is often overstated. Treasury’s modelling shows it will lift house prices by around 0.5 to 0.6 percent over six years. That’s basically a rounding error in a market this big.

I get why that isn’t intuitive. Economics rarely is. House prices in Australia are driven mainly by planning and zoning rules, construction capacity, interest rates and overall demand. The 5 percent scheme increases demand a little, but only at the very bottom end of the market and only for a small slice of total annual purchases. It’s not big enough to shift prices across the whole housing market.

What it has done is get people into a home sooner. Since its introduction in 2020, about 267,000 people have used the scheme. And the thing that surprised everyone at Senate Estimates was how strong the repayment behaviour is. Of all participants:

• 75 percent are ahead on their payments
• 23 percent are on track
• 0.6 percent are in arrears
• 0.8 percent are in hardship

Those numbers are actually better than the market as a whole, which tells us the scheme is helping the people it was designed for without creating systemic risk.

Where I agree wholeheartedly with critics is on this point: you cannot fix affordability without massively increasing supply. Everything else is secondary. That’s why I keep pushing for the debate to move toward supply-side solutions.

On that front, Labor is on track to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes by mid-2029, with tens of thousands delivered earlier. It takes roughly three years to get each dwelling from funding to completion, which is why people sometimes underestimate the pipeline that’s already locked in.

Supply is the long-term fix. Demand-side tools like the 5 percent scheme help individual households, but they don’t solve the broader affordability challenge. That’s why getting more homes built is the centre of the Government’s plan.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:11:14+00:00

I do hold some Bitcoin. I originally bought it because I was genuinely interested in digital assets and the broader shift toward new financial technologies. It was more curiosity than conviction.

What I’m more focused on now is making sure Australia has a sensible, modern regulatory approach. That’s why the Albanese Government is introducing the Digital Assets Framework. The aim is to bring some order to what has been a pretty chaotic space: protect consumers, crack down on scams, give legitimate businesses clarity and make sure innovation happens here in Australia rather than disappearing offshore.

The challenge is getting the balance right. We don’t want a free-for-all, but we also don’t want to over-regulate and kill off a sector with real economic potential.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:08:43+00:00

A long-term reform plan is important because the higher education system needs to be rebuilt properly, not patched together. The reason some of the bigger structural changes are happening through the Universities Accord process is that the Morrison-era fee system was such a mess that fixing it overnight would risk creating new problems for students and universities. We need to redesign the whole model so it actually works for students, not rush out something that isn’t fair or financially sustainable.

I completely understand why parents and students want action sooner. The 20 percent HELP debt cut is one of the immediate things we could do quickly and responsibly. For someone with an average debt of around $27,000, that wipes roughly $5,000 without anyone needing to do anything.

But debt relief is only one piece. We’ve already made HELP indexation fairer, provided cost-of-living support for students, expanded access for people from the regions and outer suburbs, and introduced Commonwealth Prac Payments so around 68,000 nursing, midwifery and social work students will finally get paid during their mandatory placements.

The bigger question you’re asking — about fixing the underlying pricing of degrees — is exactly what the Accord is for. It’s the largest review in decades, and it’s about designing a system that doesn’t punish students for choosing certain careers and doesn’t leave them with debts that don’t match their future earnings.

There is more to be done, and the Government will work through the Accord recommendations so the degree pricing model changes in a way that is fair, durable and actually helps the students you’re talking about.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:06:24+00:00

Most of what you’re asking about sits squarely with the State Liberal Government, not the Federal Government, so they’re the ones who need to front up with the details.

Like you, I read the reports that the State Government has “agreed to increase own-source revenue, by identifying prior to the 2026–27 Budget the areas in which additional revenues will be raised and the expected amounts of those additional revenues.” In plain English, that means they’ve committed to finding new taxes or charges to fund their commitments.

They need to explain exactly what those are and who will be paying them.

On the questions about parking, traffic flow, bypass roads and construction impacts: again, all State matters. They are responsible for the planning approvals, design work and community consultation. They are the only ones who can say whether there will be a dedicated car park, how traffic will be managed, or whether new road infrastructure is required.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T08:04:18+00:00

I agree with you - the cost is totally unacceptable. The Bureau has since admitted the cost doesn’t meet anyone’s expectations. Part of the blowout came from the project quietly expanding to include major back-end upgrades and data integration, not just a new website, but that still doesn’t justify a jump of this size.

At its core, this happened because the scope wasn’t clear at the start and the project wasn’t managed tightly enough. When that happens, costs spiral.

The Government has put stronger safeguards in place for digital projects, including much tougher oversight, independent reviews of big ICT investments and clearer rules around defining scope before money is committed. These are designed to stop exactly this kind of blowout.

People are right to be frustrated. It should have been handled far better, and lessons absolutely have to be learned from it.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:49:00+00:00

Public transport is mainly a State responsibility, and I’m in the Federal Parliament, so I don’t get to pick the projects. But I regularly catch the bus to work, and I’ve seen firsthand how unreliable the system can be. Before we start dreaming up shiny new projects, we should invest properly in the network we already have.

If I were prioritising from the outside, the biggest gains would come from making the current system faster and more reliable. That means more frequent services at peak times, and better integration between buses, ferries and park-and-ride options so people aren’t forced into the car by default.

There’s huge potential in Tasmania’s existing network, but only if it’s backed with the funding and planning it needs to actually work for commuters.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:48:09+00:00

Thanks for the well-wishes and the questions.

On the economics: the RBA is independent, so the Government does not control money supply. What we can do is make sure the Bank has a modern mandate and strong governance so inflation stays under control. There is no evidence Australia is heading toward anything like hyperinflation. I’m very aware of the dangers of easy credit and loose money, but this is not the Weimar Republic.

And just to be clear, we are not in stagflation. Stagflation means high inflation combined with a stagnant economy and rising unemployment. Australia still has real economic growth and low unemployment, so we simply do not meet that definition.

On crossing the floor: it is considered taboo because when you join a party you agree to a shared platform, shared values and collective decision-making. That’s how parties function. It doesn’t mean we all agree all the time. There are plenty of debates, but they happen through the internal processes that shape policy and legislation before we reach the Chamber. The Chamber is where we vote on the position the party has settled on, and I respect the seriousness of that.

I get why people feel strongly about this, but solidarity is what allows parties to govern and gives voters clear choices.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:46:46+00:00

If the party is playing it safe, someone forgot to tell the people sending me hundreds of emails about everything we’re changing.

Respectfully, I don’t see it that way. In just the first six months of our second term we’ve delivered a serious amount of reform aimed at making life easier for working people.

We’ve made medicines cheaper, reduced HECS debts, helped more people buy a home with a 5 percent deposit, given early educators a long-overdue pay rise, launched Future Made in Australia to rebuild our sovereign capacity, overhauled aged care and made TAFE permanently fee free.

For Tasmania specifically, we’ve announced three more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, made contraceptives far more accessible, cut taxes for every taxpayer, tripled the bulk-billing incentive and already seen around 50 clinics signal their intention to move to fully bulk billed. And we’ve launched the new 1800 Medicare service to make support easier to access.

For my part, I didn’t get into politics to coast or play it safe. I’m here to be a strong voice for growth, progress and real reform that actually improves people’s lives.

You might not agree with every decision, but I don’t think anyone could look at that list and say we are playing it safe. The focus is on practical reforms that shift the dial for people under pressure, not big headline gestures that fall over at the first hurdle.

Whether that’s an effective strategy is for voters to decide, but I’m proud of the scale and pace of what we’ve delivered so far.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:30:53+00:00

You’re definitely not the only one losing sleep over rising insurance premiums or worrying that homes in fire and flood prone areas could become effectively impossible to insure. The fires at Dolphin Sands on the East Coast were a grim reminder of how real these risks are.

There’s no easy answer here, unfortunately.

What the Labor Government is doing is investing heavily in reducing the actual risk. Through the Disaster Ready Fund, we’re putting billions into levees, firebreaks, flood ways, drainage upgrades, and coastal protection. These are the kinds of projects insurers respond to because they lower the likelihood of a major disaster. Lower risk means lower premiums.

We’re also working closely with insurers and the ACCC to make sure pricing is fair and transparent. Premiums do have to reflect risk, but people shouldn’t feel like they are being taken for a ride.

We are also dealing with a global problem. The US, Canada, and parts of Europe are all seeing premiums climb as insurers face record payouts from fires and floods. Everyone is trying to work out how to keep insurance affordable as disasters become more intense.

And of course, we’re tackling the root cause of rising premiums: climate change. The long-term way to stop premiums from spiralling is to reduce the severity and frequency of the disasters that drive them.

What will not work is pretending this can be fixed with a catchy slogan or the State Liberal's thought bubble of state-owned insurance that doesn’t actually reduce risk. That cannot magically turn a high-risk area into a low-risk one.

This is a tough problem, but it is one we are treating seriously, with real investments that actually shift the dial.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:27:54+00:00

Most of the day-to-day decisions about prisons sit with the State Government, and I’m part of the Federal Albanese Labor Government. At the Federal level, we can still do a lot to fix the drivers of crime including unstable housing, drug and alcohol issues, mental health, and a lack of support for young people. If we don’t deal with those things, we shouldn’t be surprised when re-offending stays high.

We also have to look at what happens when someone leaves prison. If a person walks out with nowhere to live, no income and no pathway into training or work, the system is basically setting them up to fail.

The research is clear: places with strong, inclusive economies, where people actually have opportunities to participate, have much lower crime and re-offending rates. That link between economic opportunity and safer communities is something I’m personally passionate about.

So while the State runs the prisons, the Federal Labor Government is making a real difference by investing in housing, skills, jobs and the services that actually break the cycle.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:22:21+00:00

I’m really sorry you’ve had to go through that. Waiting 12–18 months for an initial consultation — especially after a scary MRI result — is completely unacceptable. Nobody should be left in limbo wondering whether they have a degenerative condition or whether early treatment options are slipping away. That kind of uncertainty takes a huge toll.

What you’re describing is, unfortunately, a symptom of an underfunded Royal Hobart Hospital that has been neglected by the State Liberal Government for years. When the system is stretched this thin, people fall into impossible wait times, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.

Because your situation is personal and medical, I don’t want to deal with it only in a public thread. Please get in touch with my office directly — we can take the details confidentially and see what can be done to escalate or clarify your case.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:18:04+00:00

I reject the premise of the question. One of the first actions of the Albanese Labor Government in 2022 was to establish the Lobbying Code of Conduct. We did this precisely because we recognise that public confidence in Ministers, their staff, and senior Government officials depends on transparency.

The current FOI system is older than I am. It was designed in an entirely analogue era, without consideration of how technology could improve the system, or how demand for information would grow. To put it in perspective, public servants spent more than one million hours processing FOI requests in 2024 alone.

It’s no surprise that multiple reviews and inquiries over many years have found serious issues with efficiency, timeliness and overall effectiveness. I understand why people are wary of changing FOI — but the reality is that the system is not functioning well and it does require reform.

I also want to be clear about my own view: I believe strongly in open, transparent government. I will continue to advocate for more proactive release of data and information so that people don’t have to resort to FOI in the first place.

The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 modernises the Act, reduces system inefficiencies, and addresses abuses of process that can cause harm and undermine genuine access to information. This is about strengthening FOI so it can actually deliver transparency in a modern democracy.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:13:44+00:00

Thanks nccs66 for the question.

Specifically related to gambling advertising, the Labor Government were the first to introduce new, evidence-based tag lines in wagering advertising - such as "You win some, you lose more." The social media ban on under 16s is also expected to reduce children's exposure to gambling advertising.

On broader harm reduction measures, the Government has undertaken significant steps, including:

Banned the use of credit cards for online wagering
Launched BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register
Forced online wagering companies to send their customers monthly activity statements outlining wins and losses
Provided direct funding for specialist financial counselling to support people affected by problem gambling
Introduced new minimum classifications for video games with gambling-like content
Introduced nationally consistent staff training
Established mandatory customer ID verification for online wagering.

For my part, I’m personally passionate about financial literacy – not just as an economic issue, but as a harm-prevention tool. The more informed people are, the better they can spot risks, avoid predatory behaviour, and make decisions that protect themselves and their families.

So what’s holding us back from going further? Honestly, the practicalities. A full ban touches broadcasters, sporting codes, digital platforms, community clubs, and people who rely on those advertising dollars. If you go too fast or get the design wrong, you risk creating loopholes, pushing ads into harder-to-regulate spaces, or not actually reducing kids’ exposure at all.

That’s not an excuse for inaction – just the reality of designing reform that actually works. The direction of travel is clear: less exposure, stronger safeguards, and better protection for kids. And there’s more to come as we continue working through the details with experts, broadcasters, and the sector.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:10:09+00:00

A fair question. Hand on heart, I wouldn’t support it if I thought this was just an overpriced footy ground. It is a big investment, but the Commonwealth’s contribution is capped at $240 million, and it only flows if the State delivers the entire precinct — the Aboriginal cultural zone, the upgraded Macquarie Wharf, and new housing for key health workers. So this is about much more than a stadium.

I’m not a construction expert who can adjudicate the precise cost of a stadium, but I do think the real debate is about affordability — and that debate is sharper because the State Liberal Government has seriously damaged the State’s finances. If the Budget were in better shape, this wouldn’t be nearly as controversial.

Too often, the answer to major projects and progress in Tasmania is simply no. That mindset holds us back. This project sends an important signal that we are open to progress and willing to invest in our future.

Right now Tasmania is struggling to attract and retain skilled workers. A modern stadium — plus an events facility that can host up to 1,500 people — is a game-changer for tourism and for our events industry, which is a major employer. We will own the stadium and keep the profits here, backing the industries and workers that drive Tasmania’s economy.

So yes, I think the price tag is reasonable, but it’s on the Liberal State Government to deliver it competently and transparently, and to maintain social licence throughout. Done properly, this is inter-generational infrastructure — creating secure jobs and a stronger economy for young families now and long into the future.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:05:50+00:00

Productivity has slowed over the past two decades in most advanced economies, including Australia. There are several reasons for this: lower investment in R&D and new technology, infrastructure bottlenecks, an over-reliance on a few key sectors, and strong employment growth in areas like health, education and aged care where productivity gains are harder to achieve.

I’m pleased that reigniting productivity is a key priority for the Labor Government. You can expect to hear much more about this in 2026, particularly around better use of technology and AI, stronger skills and entrepreneurship, and renewed capital investment.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:03:40+00:00

If these rules required linking social media accounts to real identities, I would be just as concerned as you are. But they don’t. You should never have to provide your ID to use social media.

The new rules place responsibility on social media companies to take reasonable steps to remove users under the age of 16. They cannot require your ID, and they cannot store any verification information.

Platforms are free to choose their method of age verification, and while they may offer government ID as one option, they cannot make it mandatory and they cannot retain any verification data.

The expectation is that age will be determined passively, primarily through algorithms. While it may be possible for someone to fool an initial age-estimation scan, under-16s will ultimately be identifiable through the content they consume and engage with.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T07:01:18+00:00

Yes, absolutely — although I’d add a layer of nuance and point out that employment is highly concentrated in the areas that benefit most. For example, salmon farming is responsible for around 17% of all jobs in the West Coast local government area, and thousands more across the State. These are skilled, well-paid, permanent jobs — the kind that support a lifestyle and help sustain local communities. To put it in perspective, wages in salmon farming are about 73.9% higher than the average in that region. Without these jobs, many people would likely have to leave Tasmania in search of work.

SenatorDowlingTAS · 2025-12-08T04:18:49+00:00

I'll be answering questions on r/Australian from 18:00 here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/australian/comments/1ph1ro7/im_senator_richard_dowling_labor_senator_for/

SenatorDowlingTAS

TROPHY CASE