‘Economist’s eye and Tasmanian heart’: Labor Senator Richard Dowling sworn into Parliament

Tasmanian’s newest Senator has pledged to bring an “economist’s eye and a Tasmanian heart” to the job, as he was sworn into Australian Parliament on Wednesday. His commitments.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – July 21, 2025: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signs in Richard Dowling (Tasmania) at Labor Caucus meeting of the 48th Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Tasmanian’s newest Senator has pledged to bring “economist’s eye and a Tasmanian heart” to the job.

Labor’s Richard Dowling was among the incoming class of new Senators sworn in at Parliament House on Tuesday.

The former Treasury staffer and ministerial adviser left Tasmania to pursue a career in senior executive positions in policy and economics with international technology, clean energy and healthcare companies.

He was elected, along with union organiser Josh Dolega, at the May federal election.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – July 2, 2025: Senator Jessica Collins (NSW), Senator Warwick Stacey (NSW), Senator Leah Blyth (SA), Senator Tyron Whitten (WA), Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah (VIC), Senator Richard Dowling (TAS), Senator Sue Lines, Senator Corinne Mulholland (QLD), Senator Charlotte Walker (SA), Senator Josh Dolega (TAS) and Senator Ellie Whiteaker (WA) pose for a group photo in the Senate Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Dowling boasts an impressive resume including stints at Facebook’s parent company Meta, as the chief economist of the TCCI and Senior Economic Adviser to the state’s last Labor Premier.

He said its had been “quite a journey” from his days growing up on Hobart’s eastern shore and attending Rosny College to the Senate chamber.

“It’s an incredible honour to represent my home state, and a responsibility I take seriously,” he said.

“I come to the Senate with an economist’s eye and a Tasmanian heart — and I want to put both to work for the people I represent.”

“The Albanese Government has been given a strong mandate from the electorate — now it’s time to deliver.

“I’m proud to be part of a Labor team acting on that mandate, with the government set to introduce legislation to cut student debt by 20 per cent in its first week.”

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – July 2, 2025: Senator Richard Dowling (NSW) in the Senate Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The new Senator said that measure, was one among others, that would deliver on Labor’s election promises and go some way towards boosting intergenerational fairness.

“A lot of people feel like politics is something that happens to them, not for them,” he said.

“Rebuilding trust means closing that gap — being present, being honest, and delivering practical improvements in people’s lives. I think when people see politicians actually doing the work and making a difference, that trust starts to rebuild.”

“Too often I’ve heard stories of younger Australians being shut-out of the housing market. Economic opportunity shouldn’t be out of reach for the next generation. I’m focused on intergenerational fairness and making sure young people can move forward, not fall behind.”

Senator Dowling says he’s keen to contribute his ideas to lifting growth.

“I’ve already sat down with Treasurer Jim Chalmers to talk about how Tasmania can help lift national productivity,” he said.

“Tasmania can lead in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and the modernisation of our traditional industries — we need to back in what we’ve got and build what’s next.”

Originally published as ‘Economist’s eye and Tasmanian heart’: Labor Senator Richard Dowling sworn into Parliament