Sue Lines
ALP Federal

President of the Senate

Elected 2016

10 years

Senator for Western Australia (WA)

Federal - WA

Sue Lines was born on 15 December 1953 in Perth, WA. Her mother was a schoolteacher and deputy principal and her father was a commando in the Second World War. Raised in Perth's outer suburbs, Sue attended Gosnells Primary School and Armadale Senior High School before graduating with a Bachelor of Education from Murdoch University.

Prior to entering federal politics, Sue established a twenty-five career within the Australian trade union movement. She worked briefly as a schoolteacher from ...

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Committees

  • Appropriations, Staffing and Security
  • Procedure
  • House
  • Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings

Key Staff

  • Harriet Brooke

    Senior Policy Adviser

    ****@****.gov.au

  • Sofia Wilson

    Advisor

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See It In Action

First Speech in Parliament

26 June 2013

# Social Justice # Education Reform # Labor Rights

Personal Background

  • Senator Sue Lines shares her family history, highlighting her father's journey as a child migrant and his service in WWII, and her mother's career as a teacher, advocating for the education of disadvantaged children.
  • Lines was influenced by her family’s values of resilience, compassion, and the importance of education and politics.

Work Experience and Advocacy

  • For six years, Lines led campaigns in early childhood education and aged care for United Voice, focusing on wage justice for low-paid workers.
  • She references the passing of the workforce compact bill, underlining her commitment to fairness and social justice, particularly for Aboriginal rights and against deaths in custody.

Policy Goals and Current Issues

  • Lines criticises the Western Australian government for failing to sign up for the NDIS and Gonski reforms, stressing the need for equitable education and a focus on public welfare.
  • She highlights alarming statistics on public housing, homelessness, and Aboriginal incarceration rates, advocating for a fairer economy that prioritises the wellbeing of all citizens over profit.
  • Lines aims to build coalitions for social change, emphasizing the need for political action to address inequality and ensure support for the vulnerable in society.

Read Full Speech

FAQ

Sue Lines represents the Senate seat of Western Australia in the Australian Parliament.

Sue Lines is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

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See It In Action

In Parliament

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

Acknowledgement

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 14 May

AI Summary

  • The Indonesian Ambassador was welcomed to the Australian Senate.
  • The President extended warm regards on behalf of all senators.
  • Senators responded positively with applause.

COMMITTEES › Economics References Committee

Reference

Australian Federal Parliament • Senate • 14 May

AI Summary

The PRESIDENT - ( - 15:56 - ): The question is that the motion related to the governance and performance of Housing Australia be agreed to.

Social Media

Posted on Facebook • 4 June 2026

It was an honour to meet with Afghan Ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi, last week at Parliament House Canberra. 🇦🇫
Open Post

Posted on Facebook • 3 June 2026

Last week Milton Dick MP and I hosted a reception for the 2026 Inter-Parliamentary Study Program (IPSP). Established in 2001, the IPSP has hosted more than 200 participants from around 80 countries, supporting senior level parliamentary staff to deepen their understanding of parliamentary practice, procedure, and administration, while fostering international professional networks. This year, the cohort consistsa of 16 staff from Canada, Fiji, Greece, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Zambia, and the Australian Parliament.
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 3 June 2026

Indigenous Affairs Reconciliation and Recognition

It was an honour to illuminate Parliament House Canberra with the incredible ‘Numbat Night’ artwork in recognition of National Reconciliation week. Extra special this year, with incredible WA Walmanjarri artist John Prince Siddon behind the artwork. National Reconciliation Week is a special week where we can all learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. #nationalreconciliationweek
Open Post

Posted on LinkedIn • 4 May 2026

Yesterday I attended the May Day march in Fremantle. Fair pay, safer workplaces and secure jobs didn’t happen by accident. They were won because workers organised together and fought for better working conditions. It was great to celebrate the wins of working people and their unions and remember those who fought to achieve decent standards of living and work in Australia and across the world. Trish Cook MP Varun Ghosh Patrick Gorman MP Dorinda Cox Tom French MP
Open Post