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Sarah Connolly

Labor member for Laverton in the Legislative Assembly, first elected in 2018. Outgoing member: every seat is up for election on 28 November.

Website: sarahconnollymp.com.au

Party: Labor
District: Laverton
Donations to them: None disclosed
Donations to their party: $2.2m

Laverton in violet, within Western Metropolitan.

Roles

24 Nov 2018 to 25 Nov 2022Member for Tarneit
26 Nov 2022 to nowMember for Laverton
23 Feb 2023 to 3 Nov 2026Chair, Public Accounts and Estimates Committee

Where they stand

A snapshot of their record on the issues shaping this election, taken from how they voted, what they've said and the portfolios they've held. Reviewed 6 Nov 2026.

Crime and bail

Supported a new bail test for repeat serious offenders and has sought action on community safety in Sunshine. Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025.

Said13 Aug 2025In debate on the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025, supported the new bail test for repeat offenders charged with serious offences and noted that the number of people on remand had risen.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Voted14 Aug 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. Passed 73–3.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Said11 Aug 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Police to meet Sunshine traders, police and Brimbank City Council on community safety after a fatal incident, and urged the council to remove street seating that traders link to antisocial behaviour.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Housing and renting

Has argued that building more homes is the way to make rents affordable, and sought new homelessness outreach services in Melbourne's west. Opposed and voted against letting the Greens' rent controls bill be introduced (a procedural vote).

Voted1 Apr 2026Voted no 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
Said1 Apr 2026In debate on introducing the Greens' Residential Tenancies Amendment (Rent Controls) Bill 2026, opposed it, saying “Renters know that we need to build more homes.”Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Said12 May 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Housing and Building for a briefing on the new assertive outreach homelessness services for Melbourne's west funded in the 2026 budget.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Treaty and First Peoples

Spoke in support of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and voted for it.

Said15 Oct 2025In debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, supported the bill, saying it is not symbolic and will give Aboriginal Victorians a real say in how their services are run.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Voted16 Oct 2025Voted yes on the second and third reading of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Passed 54–27.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Transport and roads

Has sought bigger V/Line trains on the Wyndham Vale line and backed rail projects in Melbourne's west. Voted for the Transport Infrastructure and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.

Voted31 Oct 2024Voted yes 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
Said25 Aug 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Public Transport for an update on running nine-carriage V/Line trains on all peak services on the Wyndham Vale line, and said these services would be at risk under a Liberal–One Nation government.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

AI and technology

Has promoted the Service Victoria app and digital ID documents. Voted against letting the Greens' AI data centres moratorium bill be introduced (a procedural vote).

Said17 Feb 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Government Services how the Service Victoria app is saving people time and money, citing the digital drivers licence and a trial of digital birth certificates in Wyndham.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Voted11 Aug 2026Voted no 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

Gambling and racing

Has supported gambling harm reforms, citing high poker machine losses in Brimbank and Wyndham. Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024.

Said19 Mar 2025In debate on the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, supported the bill as a way to reduce gambling harm and cited more than $103 million lost in Brimbank since the previous July.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Voted20 Mar 2025Voted yes 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 Brimbank has the highest gambling losses in the state, at more than $175 million, and supported reforms following the royal commission into the casino operator.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Cost of living

Has promoted the fair fuel plan, Servo Saver and the power saving bonus as cost-of-living help. Voted for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund bill.

Voted20 Mar 2025Voted yes 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
Said26 Aug 2025In a members statement, encouraged eligible residents, including pensioners and concession card holders, to claim the $100 power saving bonus.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Said18 Mar 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Consumer Affairs how the fair fuel plan is saving commuters money, noting local petrol prices of up to $2.40 a litre and promoting the Servo Saver tool.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

Health

Has spoken about the expanded Werribee Mercy Hospital emergency department and the virtual emergency department. Voted against a reasoned amendment to withdraw the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025 (a procedural vote).

Voted5 Feb 2026On the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025, voted against 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
Said18 Jun 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Minister for Health for an update on opening the expanded Werribee Mercy Hospital emergency department, which will double treatment spaces from 33 to 67.Hansard, Legislative Assembly
Said9 Sep 2026In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Health how the virtual emergency department is improving access to health care for people in Laverton.Hansard, Legislative Assembly

How these snapshots are made. Each position links to a dated source: a recorded vote in Hansard, the member's own words in Parliament or official releases, or a portfolio they held. Where only the party's position could be found, it is tagged “Party” and is not counted as the member's own. Party members usually vote together, so a vote often reflects the party's position rather than a personal one. Topics with nothing on the record say so rather than guessing. Nothing here is a rating or a recommendation.