Raff Ciccone
ALP Federal

Chair of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee

Elected 2019

7 years

Senator for Victoria (VIC)

Federal - VIC

Raffaele, or “Raff”, was born in East Melbourne in 1983. His parents, Paola and Amato, are Italian immigrants who settled in Australia in the 1960s. Raff grew up in Melbourne’s southeast and attended Salesian College for high school.

Studying at Deakin University, Raff attained a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Public Policy). He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and Government from the University of Melbourne as we...

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Committees

  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
  • Intelligence and Security
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: References
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade: Legislation
  • Appropriations, Staffing and Security
  • Scrutiny of Bills
  • Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings

Key Staff

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First Speech in Parliament

24 July 2019

# First Nations Recognition # Labour Rights # Social Justice # Education Access # Wage Theft # Preventative Health # Homelessness # Gig Economy Protections # Immigrant Contributions # Community Support

Personal Background and Values

  • Raff Ciccone shares the immigrant story of his Italian parents, highlighting their journey to Australia and the importance of family and community.
  • He emphasises the values instilled by his parents: the significance of education, hard work, fairness, equality, and the dignity of individuals.

Policy Areas and Legislative Focus

  • Advocates for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and a pathway to treaty, aiming to address injustices faced by First Nations people.
  • Calls for reforms in labour laws, including enhanced protections for temporary visa workers, increased penalties for wage theft, and regulations to adapt to the gig economy.
  • Highlights the need for an increase in Newstart payments to combat poverty among the unemployed and addresses the growing issue of homelessness by proposing comprehensive responses to its root causes.
  • Stresses the importance of preventative health measures and screening, drawing from personal experience with his wife's breast cancer diagnosis.

Commitment to Social Justice

  • Ciccone expresses his dedication to social justice and aims to put working Australians' issues at the forefront of national discussions. He reflects on the role of government in ensuring security and dignity for all citizens.

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FAQ

Raff Ciccone represents the Senate seat of Victoria in the Australian Parliament.

Raff Ciccone is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

Latest Updates

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In Parliament

COMMITTEES › Intelligence and Security Joint Committee

Report

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 14 May

AI Summary

  • The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security conducted a review confirming Hizb ut-Tahrir meets the criteria for listing as a prohibited hate group under the Criminal Code.
  • The committee rigorously examined evidence from various stakeholders and concluded that the group poses a significant threat to community safety and social cohesion.
  • The report asserts that allowing such organisations to operate freely in Australia is unacceptable and endorses the necessary legislative action to ban them.

ADJOURNMENT

Fuel Security, Defence Industry

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 13 May

Nuclear Petroleum Industrial Activities Defence Forces Defence Policy Budget Small Business National Security Industry

AI Summary

  • $10 billion allocated for fuel security package to enhance energy sovereignty and resilience.
  • Establishment of a one billion litre publicly owned fuel reserve and increased stockholding obligations for diesel and aviation fuel.
  • Recent fire at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery emphasised the need for fuel security and workplace safety; production is recovering.
  • Defence budget increases by $53 billion over the next decade, supporting local manufacturing and jobs in Victoria.
  • Investment in defence manufacturing is projected to contribute $10.9 billion annually to Victoria's economy.

Social Media

Posted on Facebook • 18 June 2026

The agreement between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran is a positive step towards a negotiated resolution to a conflict with far-reaching global implications. While diplomacy must remain the priority, any lasting agreement demands a clear commitment from the Iranian regime to abandon its nuclear weapons program and fulfil its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Speaking on 2CC Canberra this week, I also stressed the importance of keeping the Iranian people and their ongoing struggle for freedom, dignity and human rights at the heart of these negotiations. #auspol Anthony Albanese Penny Wong Iran International - English AISoV
Open Post

Posted on Facebook • 17 June 2026

Overseas Travel

✈️ Travel advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE has been lowered by the Australian Government from 'Do Not Travel' (Level 4) to 'Reconsider your need to travel' (Level 3), reflecting an improvement in current conditions across parts of the Middle East. Some areas of Israel remain at Level 4, and Australians are still urged to postpone non-essential travel, closely monitor Smartraveller updates and ensure they have appropriate travel insurance before departure. DFAT continues to advise 'Do Not Travel' to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Australians who require consular assistance should contact DFAT's 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas). 🛫 #auspol #middleeast Department of Foreign Affair...
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Posted on X • 1 May 2026

National Security Multicultural Affairs

The Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion makes 14 recommendations to strengthen Australia's response to antisemitism, protect against terrorism and support social cohesion following the Bondi terrorist attack. The Government has accepted all recommendations that relate to the Commonwealth and will work with states and territories on a coordinated national approach. Commissioner Virginia Bell found Australia's existing legal and regulatory frameworks are... https://t.co/H5muXdhHxj
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Posted on X • 30 April 2026

Transport and Infrastructure Roads - Safety

🚧 Over $856,000 is being invested to upgrade the Eurambeen-Streatham Road and Mount William Road intersection in Stoneleigh under the Albanese Government's 2026-27 Black Spot Program, following advocacy by local State Labor MP Martha Haylett. This announcement is part of more than $4.5 million in road safety upgrades across Wannon, including projects in Birregurra, Wurdiboluc and Anglesea. 🚗 The projects were recommended by the Victoria Black Spot Consultative Panel, made up of local stake...
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Posted on LinkedIn • 10 June 2026

12 months without our dear friend and colleague, Jimmy. Still feels wrong. 🖤🤍
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 9 June 2026

Banking and Finance Banking Financial Services Sector

🔎 A review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill is examining reforms to strengthen Australia's financial crime framework, including greater powers for AUSTRAC and expanded oversight of digital currency exchanges and crypto ATMs. As part of its inquiry, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is holding a public hearing today to assess evidence from government agencies, regulators and industry bodies on evolving risks in the financ...
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