James Newbury

Shadow Attorney-General since October 2025. Has said the government's crime and bail laws are too weak, while not opposing its recent community safety bills and moving amendments. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025.

• Voted14 Aug 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. Passed 73–3.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Minister13 Oct 2025Shadow Attorney-General since October 2025.Parliament of Victoria member page
• Said16 Oct 2025In question time, asked the Attorney-General about the youth bail bench book, which says young offenders should be released on bail with conditions whenever possible.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said11 Aug 2026In debate on the Crimes Amendment (Recruitment of Children for Criminal Activity) Bill 2026, said the opposition would not oppose the bill but moved amendments, arguing an offence limited to adults would see adults recruit children to do the recruiting.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Former shadow planning minister. Has opposed high-rise towers in suburbs that do not want them and a planning bill that limits neighbours' say. Voted to let the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced (a procedural vote).

• Minister2 Oct 2023Shadow Minister for Planning from October 2023 to January 2025.Parliament of Victoria member page
• Said13 Nov 2025In debate on the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025, said the bill would remove neighbours' say over what is built next door.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said18 Mar 2026In debate on a housing motion, said a Liberal government would remove plans for 20-storey towers in communities that do not want them.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted1 Apr 2026Voted yes on the motion to introduce the Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rent Controls) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to cap rent increases. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–48.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has criticised planning rules requiring notice to registered Aboriginal parties when neighbours are not notified. Voted against the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025.

• Voted16 Oct 2025Voted no on the second and third reading of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Passed 54–27.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said13 Nov 2025In debate on the Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill 2025, objected that registered Aboriginal parties must be notified of some applications while neighbours are not, calling it part of the “treaty circus”.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has pressed the government on local road maintenance and pedestrian safety in the Brighton electorate. Voted against the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

• Voted31 Oct 2024Voted no on the second and third reading of the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, which lets the Premier declare precinct projects around major transport works, including the Suburban Rail Loop. Passed 50–23.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said2 Jun 2026In a constituency question, asked the Premier why only part of Hampton Street in Hampton was resurfaced despite a written commitment to resurface it by April 2026.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said25 Aug 2026In a constituency question, asked the Premier to install a pedestrian-operated crossing on Hawthorn Road near Melbourne Montessori College in Brighton East.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Voted to let the Greens' bill to pause new AI data centre approvals be introduced (a procedural vote).

• Voted11 Aug 2026Voted yes on the motion to introduce the Planning and Environment Amendment (AI Data Centres Moratorium) Bill 2026, a Greens bill to pause approvals of new hyperscale AI data centres. This was a procedural vote on whether the bill could be introduced. Lost 31–50.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Has described the 2025 casino bill as a deal between Labor and Crown. Voted against the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024.

• Voted20 Mar 2025Voted no on the second and third reading of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, which provides for pre-commitment limits and carded play on poker machines. Passed 53–25.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said10 Sep 2025In debate on the Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, said the bill was “a sweetheart deal for Crown” rather than a measure to protect people.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Shadow Treasurer in 2025. Has opposed the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy and other state taxes, and criticised state debt. Voted against the levy bill in 2025.

• Minister7 Jan 2025Shadow Treasurer from January 2025 to October 2025.Parliament of Victoria member page
• Voted20 Mar 2025Voted no on the third reading of the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025, which replaced the fire services property levy with a broader Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. Passed 50–25.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said20 Mar 2025In debate on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund bill, called it a “great big new tax” on property owners worth $2 billion over three years.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Said27 May 2025In reply to the 2025–26 budget, said Victoria is the highest taxed state with the most debt and that the coalition had committed to scrap four taxes, including the emergency services tax.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Supported the Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment Bill 2025. Voted for a reasoned amendment to withdraw and redraft the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote).

• Said28 Oct 2025In debate on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment Bill 2025, supported the bill, describing the changes after a five-year review as reasonable and methodical.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
• Voted5 Feb 2026On the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025, voted for a reasoned amendment calling for the bill to be withdrawn and redrafted after further consultation with the medical sector. This was a procedural vote; the Assembly did not divide on passing the bill. Amendment lost 26–54.Hansard, Legislative Assembly