Bridget McKenzie

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development

Bridget McKenzie grew up in regional Victoria and has a deep passion for the regions. A staunch supporter of the agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing industries, she is also a prominent supporter of Australia’s law abiding firearm owners. 

Bridget has degrees in applied science and education. Prior to entering politics she researched the benefits and impacts of engaging in physical activity for young women and lectured at Monash University. 

After being elected as The National Party Senator for Victoria in 2010, Bridget fought to achieve landmark legislation for cooperatives; support for Australia Post to ensure its focus on rural and regional Australia; and equitable local content in regional broadcasting.  

Elected Deputy Leader of the Nationals in 2017, Bridget was elevated to Cabinet, serving as Minister for Regional Communications, Rural Health and Sport; Decentralisation, Regional Services and Local Government.  

As Minister, she implemented critical changes to medical training to reverse doctor shortages in rural Australia, and delivered record funding for regional communications.  

In 2019 she was appointed as Australia’s first female Agriculture Minister, introducing critical policy like the dairy code and boosted biosecurity measures to help protect Australia’s primary industries among the key outcomes. 

In 2021 she was appointed as Minister for Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education and the Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience. In this portfolio, Bridget delivered the innovative $2 billion Regional Accelerator Program to drive economic growth and jobs in regional Australia, and was responsible for the federal response to the 2021-2022 Queensland and northern New South Wales floods.

Bridget has served as Leader of The Nationals in the Senate since 2019 and was appointed Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development following the 2022 federal election. In 2020 she published her first book; a contemporary reflection on former Prime Minister and Country Party giant, Sir John ‘Black Jack’ McEwen. She is committed to ensuring that rural and regional Australia is at the forefront of decision making of the federal government.