Since being elected in 2019, Senator Scarr has built strong connections with multicultural communities across Queensland. Paul was announced as the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs by Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley MP on Wednesday May 28, 2025.
As the only Senator based in the Greater Ipswich Region, Senator Scarr is a passionate advocate for the local community. With his office based in Springfield, one of the fastest growing areas in Queensland, Senator Scarr is a champion for the local region. This has included successful advocacy for funding to be provided for a business case considering the Ipswich to Springfield public transport corridor. Senator Scarr’s links to the region go back to his time as a student at Ipswich Grammar School.
Senator Scarr also acts as a patron Senator for Federal electorates in the Brisbane City Council, Logan City Council, and Somerset Regional Council areas. In this role, he assists constituents with a range of issues, including immigration, tax, NDIS, and other matters.
Prior to entering Parliament, Senator Scarr worked in the private sector for 25 years, both as a lawyer in private practice and as a senior executive in the mining industry.
After graduating from the University of Queensland in 1991, Senator Scarr worked for two of the preeminent law firms in Australia, Allens and King Wood Mallesons. This included two years of living and working in Papua New Guinea.
Senator Scarr then worked as General Counsel and Company Secretary of PanAust Limited, a then ASX-listed public company with two mines in Laos and projects in Asia, South America, and the Pacific. In this role, he served as a director of companies in Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Chile, PNG, and Australia. He brings this career expertise to bear as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Corporations Law and Financial Services.
Senator Scarr is a graduate of the University of Queensland with degrees in Law (Hons) and Commerce. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Senator Paul Scarr and the Liberal National Party support multicultural Australia and people of culturally diverse backgrounds. Throughout his time in Parliament, engaging with Australia’s multicultural communities has been a strong focus for Senator Scarr to provide these growing parts of our community with the best representation possible. Whether it is regularly participating in events, festivals, and citizenship ceremonies or simply meeting with community members and representatives from a broad range of cultures, Senator Scarr has proven to be a faithful friend to multicultural Queensland and Australia.
As stated in the LNP constitution, we believe in:
“The worth and dignity of every individual, the priority of helping the marginalised, and public and personal integrity, in underpinning a society in which people of different beliefs and cultures live in peace and harmony with each other, contributing to the common good, respecting others and taking seriously their obligations as citizens of Australia.”
We believe in an Australia that “respects Australia’s cultural heritage, Aboriginal and Islander peoples, and the multicultural character of Australian Society”. We also believe in an Australia “in which there is no discrimination on grounds proscribed in Queensland and Australian legislation”.
“I am truly blessed that my experiences have brought into my life people from different backgrounds and cultures. So many of my friends and millions of others have come to Australia from all over the world for generation after generation, all coming together in this beautiful, unique country we call home.” — Senator Scarr
Senator Paul Scarr was announced as the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs by Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley MP on Wednesday May 28, 2025.
Senator Scarr said “I am honoured to be appointed to the position of Shadow Minister for Immigration and Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.”
“During my time in the Senate, I’ve been fortunate to be a senior member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. I have been involved in the detailed consideration of very important legislation dealing with immigration issues. I am committed to bringing to my new role the same constructive and considered approach I brought to my committee work.”
“In my previous capacity as Shadow Assistant Minister for Multicultural Engagement, I have built close relationships with many members of our multicultural communities. Those positive relationships will be critically important in my new role”.
