Josh Dolega
Josh Dolega | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Tasmania | |
| Assumed office 27 May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Urquhart |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Labor |
| Other political affiliations | Labor Left |
| Occupation | Fitness instructor, tax officer, union official |
Josh Dolega is an Australian politician. He is a Senator for Tasmania representing the Labor Party, after he was appointed to the Senate via a joint sitting of the Parliament of Tasmania on 27 May 2025. He replaces Anne Urquhart, who had resigned from the Senate to successfully contest the Division of Braddon at the 2025 federal election earlier that month.
Early career
[edit]Prior to entering federal parliament, Dolega was a group fitness instructor at Devonport Aquatic Centre, and then as a tax officer for the Australian Taxation Office at Burnie for more than a decade, before becoming the work health and safety lead organiser at the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).[1]
Political career
[edit]Senator Anne Urquhart resigned from the Senate in March 2025 to contest the Division of Braddon at the May 2025 federal election, and was successfully-elected to Braddon. Her resignation created a casual vacancy in the Senate. At the time, the two-year administration of Tasmanian Labor by the National Executive had ended, but a new state administrative committee had not yet been appointed, so Urquhart's casual vacancy in the Senate would still be chosen by the National Executive.[2]
Dolega had the support of Urquhart and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.[1] He was confirmed as Urquhart's replacement by the National Executive on 23 May 2025, defeating higher profile Labor members including a union secretary, a local councillor and a former secretary of the Tasmanian Labor Party.[1] He was appointed to the Senate via a joint sitting of the Parliament of Tasmania on 27 May 2025.[3][4] He will serve the remainder of Urquhart's term which will expire in 2028.[5]
Dolega is a member of the Labor Left.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Prior to being appointed to the Senate, Dolega was living in Hobart as of May 2025[update], but had said he was "happy to relocate" to the north-west coast where Urquhart was based in.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Josh Dolega selected as Labor senator for Tasmania, replaces Anne Urquhart". ABC News. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Union organiser Josh Dolega the frontrunner to replace Anne Urquhart in the Senate". ABC News. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Lambie successful, Hanson misses out, as federal election Senate results finalised". ABC News. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Joint Sitting – Senate Vacancy – Selection of Josh Dolega". Parliament of Tasmania. Legislative Council Daily Hansard. 27 May 2025. p. 2. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Senators—service expiry dates". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 24 May 2025.