About Richard Colbeck
Richard Colbeck is the Liberal Party senator for Tasmania, returned to the Senate in 2018 after a recount. He previously sat in the Senate from 2002 to 2016. He was Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services and Minister for Sport until May 2022.
- First elected
- 2001 federal election
- Previous Senate term
- 2002 to 2016
- Born
- 5 April 1958, Myrtleford, Victoria
- Education
- Devonport Technical College
- Faction
- Moderate/Modern Liberal faction
Summarised by AI from Wikipedia, plus our own records. Sources last checked 11 November 2026.
How Richard Colbeck voted
Recorded votes in the Senate since 23 July 2025, from Hansard.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026: limitation of debate
Voting yes supported the amendments on sheet 4184 being agreed to during limitation of debate on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2026, which agrees with adding them to the bill.
Voted noDefeated 15 to 31
Documents: Australian Electoral Commission: order for the production of documents
Voting yes supported agreeing to Senator Payman's motion No. 772 for the production of documents relating to the Australian Electoral Commission, which the Senate passed 36 to 22.
Voted yesPassed 36 to 22
Documents: Housing Australia Future Fund: order for the production of documents
Voting yes supported the Senate ordering the production of documents about the Housing Australia Future Fund, as set out in motion No. 778 moved by Senator Kovacic.
Voted yesPassed 36 to 22
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026: second reading
Voting yes supported Senator Roberts's amendment to the second reading of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026.
Voted noDefeated 20 to 36
Motions: Middle East
Voting yes supported the motion moved by Senator Gallagher on the Middle East, which the Senate agreed to by 36 ayes to 12 noes.
Voted yesPassed 36 to 12
Documents: Housing Australia Future Fund, Housing: order for the production of documents
Voting yes supported agreeing to a Senate motion ordering the production of documents about the Housing Australia Future Fund, as set out in general business notice of motion No. 761.
Voted yesPassed 35 to 20
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026: in committee
Voting yes supported making amendment (1) on sheet 3944 to the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026, which was defeated.
Voted yesDefeated 25 to 29
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026: in committee
Voting yes supported the opposition amendment (1) on sheet 3946 to the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026 being agreed to during committee, which adds the amendment to the bill.
Voted yesPassed 34 to 21
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026: in committee
Voting yes supported agreeing to opposition amendments (1) and (2) to the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026 in committee, which would add those amendments to the bill.
Voted yesDefeated 26 to 31
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026: second reading
Voting yes supported agreeing to Senator Steele-John's amendment to the second reading of the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026, which adds the amendment to the bill's second reading.
Voted yesPassed 34 to 23
Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026: second reading
Voting yes supported agreeing to the second reading amendment moved by Senator Ruston to the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026.
Voted yesPassed 35 to 22
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026: in committee
Voting yes supported making One Nation amendments (1) and (2) to the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026 during committee stage.
Voted yesDefeated 24 to 33
A member can miss a division for many reasons: illness, leave, ministerial duties, being in the chair or a pair arrangement. "Against their party" means at least three quarters of the rest of their party voted the other way; votes where any party split (usually free or conscience votes) don't count. Votes on procedure aren't listed.
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Other Liberal members of the Senate
Alex AnticLiberal, Senator for South Australia
Andrew BraggLiberal, Senator for New South Wales
Andrew McLachlanLiberal, Senator for South Australia
Anne RustonLiberal, Senator for South Australia- Chris GatenbyLiberal, Senator for Tasmania
- Claire ChandlerLiberal, Senator for Tasmania
Dave SharmaLiberal, Senator for New South Wales
Dean SmithLiberal, Senator for Western Australia
James PatersonLiberal, Senator for Victoria
Jane HumeLiberal, Senator for Victoria
Jonathon DuniamLiberal, Senator for Tasmania
Kerrynne LiddleLiberal, Senator for South Australia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Party and seat checked against the Parliament House member list on 11 November 2026.
