About Senator Maria Kovacic

Appointed to the Senate in June 2023, Maria Kovacic serves as Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, Shadow Assistant Minister for Women and Shadow Assistant Minister for Productivity and Deregulation. In these roles, she campaigns for structural economic reform to expand opportunity, empower Australian women, and remove the regulatory barriers that hold back productivity, enterprise and growth across the Australian economy.  

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Maria is a determined advocate for women’s financial security and economic participation. When women are economically empowered, they can build financial independence, strengthen families and communities and contribute further to the productivity and economic growth that benefits all Australians.

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Maria is fighting to restore integrity in the construction sector, calling for strong action to combat corruption and criminal behaviour within the CFMEU while protecting workers and businesses across the country. Following revelations that CFMEU corrupt and criminal conduct had cost taxpayers $15 billion, Maria launched a campaign for a Senate inquiry into the union, which has received over 50,000 signatures.

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Before entering Parliament, Maria built an accomplished career across business, governance and the community sector. With extensive experience across financial services and small business operations, she brings practical commercial insight to policy debates on enterprise, economic participation and financial security. Her background also includes significant work in governance and regulatory reform, including supporting business responses to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and helping organisations navigate complex regulatory change and accountability frameworks. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is widely recognised for her expertise in governance, finance, small business and community engagement.

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Maria, in the Senate previously served Chair of the Education and Employment References Committee and Deputy Chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee where she led a landmark inquiry into the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system. The inquiry produced 23 recommendations to strengthen the safety and protection of children in childcare settings.

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Maria serves on the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS, Joint Select Committee on the Centenary of Parliament in Canberra, and Senate Standing Committee of Senator’s Interests. She has previously served on the Select Supermarket Prices, Select Intergenerational Housing Inequity, and the Community Affairs Legislation and References Standing Committees.

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Her broad experience and deep commitment to public service is grounded in a belief in individual dignity, practical reform, and policies that deliver real and measurable outcomes for all Australians.

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