Josh Dolega

Josh Dolega (born 13 December 1983)^[1] 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 replaced Anne Urquhart, who had resigned from the Senate to successfully contest the Division of Braddon at the 2025 federal election earlier that month.

Senator Josh Dolega
Senator for Tasmania
Incumbent
Assumed office 27 May 2025
Preceded by	Anne Urquhart
Personal details
Born	(1983-12-13) 13 December 1983 (age 41) Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
Political party	Labor
Other political affiliations	Labor Left
Occupation	Fitness instructor, tax officer, union official

Early life and career

Dolega grew up in Spreyton.^[2] Prior to entering federal parliament, Dolega was a group fitness instructor at Devonport Aquatic Centre, then a tax officer for the Australian Taxation Office at Burnie for more than 15 years, before becoming the work health and safety lead organiser at the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).^[3][2]

Political career

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.^[4]

Dolega had the support of Urquhart and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.^[3] 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.^[3] He was appointed to the Senate via a joint sitting of the Parliament of Tasmania on 27 May 2025.^[5][6] He will serve the remainder of Urquhart's term which will expire in 2028.^[7]

Dolega is a member of the Labor Left.^[3]

Personal life

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.^[4] He is gay.^[2]