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AUSPOLLIEWATCH EVERY CLAIM LINKS TO ITS SOURCE · NOT A SCORECARD

Portrait of Bridget McKenzie

Bridget McKenzie

The Nationals · Senate · VIC · incumbent

Bridget McKenzie was born on 27 December 1969 in Alexandra, Victoria, and spent her early childhood in Benalla, where her mother was a primary school teacher and her father a dairyman. She attended Benalla East Primary School and Benalla High School before moving to Tintern Grammar in Melbourne to complete secondary school. As a mature-age student she studied at Deakin University, completing a double degree in applied science (human movement) and teaching (mathematics), and later taught physical education and mathematics at Yarram Secondary College and lectured in education at Monash University. [source]

Taught physical education and mathematics at Yarram Secondary College and other schools and later lectured at university. Minister in the Turnbull and Morrison governments; Nationals deputy leader 2017-2020; Leader of the Nationals in the Senate since 2 July 2019; Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories from 16 March 2026. [source]

Sourced positions

A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.

Immigration verified

In her 2025 CPAC speech, McKenzie said she is "pro-migrant and against aggressive immigration," warning against an immigration program that strains housing, infrastructure, services and social cohesion. She said Australia should welcome migrants who share its values and respect the rule of law, stated "We do not need Islamists in this country," and noted Australia has avoided the illegal-immigration problems seen elsewhere partly due to tough decisions by previous Coalition governments.

Faith & religion verified

In her first speech to the Senate, McKenzie stated 'I am confident in two things—my faith and science', explicitly affirming that she holds a religious faith, though she did not name a denomination.

Economic nationalism verified

McKenzie supported reducing the foreign investment screening threshold to zero dollars so that all proposed foreign investments would be scrutinised, citing concern about "opportunistic foreign raiders getting control of Australia's food supply assets" and stating "it is not in our national interest to leave the door open wide for foreign opportunists to take advantage of our clean, green reputation and assets." She framed the measures as protecting Australian agricultural land.

Foreign policy & aid verified

In May 2024 McKenzie criticised Senator Fatima Payman's comments on Gaza as "Absolutely appalling" after Payman accused Israel of genocide and used the phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," and questioned what the Prime Minister would do in response.

Freedom of speech verified

Voted for the second reading of the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, which proposed replacing 'offend, insult, humiliate' with 'harass' in section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act (Senate, 30 March 2017; Ayes 32, Noes 29). Voted for Schedule 1 of that bill to stand as printed, the provision making the substitution; the Schedule was negatived and the change did not proceed (Senate, in committee, 30-31 March 2017; Ayes 28, Noes 31).

Record last updated 2026-08-13.