1
The House met, at 12 noon, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
House
2
AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION —REPORT—STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
The Speaker presented the following document:
Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 5 to 9 April 2025—Report, July 2025.
The Speaker made a statement in connection with the report.
3
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
Message No. 6, 28 July 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that Senators had been appointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as follows:
Senators Colbeck and McGrath as members; and
Senators Cadell, Hanson, Payman, Roberts, Stacey and Whitten as participating members for the committee’s inquiry into the 2025 election.
4
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
Message No. 7, 28 July 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that:
Senator Thorpe had been appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; and
Senators Hanson, Payman, Roberts, Stacey and Whitten had been appointed participating members of the Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme.
5
BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER
Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of the Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025:
6
Suspension of standing and sessional orders—Time and order of business for 29 to 31 July 2025
Mr Burke (Leader of the House), pursuant to notice, moved—That:
(1) for Tuesday, 29 July 2025 and Wednesday, 30 July 2025:
(a) standing order 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) be suspended; and
(b) so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the adjournment debate being interrupted at 8 pm and government business having priority until:
(i) business concludes, if earlier than 10 pm; or
(ii) 10 pm; or
(iii) a later time specified by a Minister prior to 10 pm;
at which point, the debate being adjourned and the House immediately adjourning until the next sitting;
(2) for Tuesday, 29 July 2025 to Thursday, 31 July 2025:
(a) statements of no longer than 10 minutes each on the provisions of the Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025 be permitted in the House or Federation Chamber when other business is not before that Chamber; and
(b) statements of no longer than 10 minutes each on the provisions of the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025 be permitted in the House or Federation Chamber when other business is not before that Chamber; and
(3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
Debate ensued.
Question—put and passed.
7
Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—
Debate resumed.
Dr M Ryan moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1) notes that many degrees have increased in cost well above CPI, resulting in excessive HELP debts which place additional financial burden on Australians in the midst of a cost of living crisis;
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) calculate HELP debt indexation after the due date for individual tax returns each year; and
(b) immediately reform the failed Job Ready Graduates Program, which has been the primary driver of increased student debt; and
(3) asks that the Government recognise the importance of practical placements in care sector degrees, but also the cost and practical challenges associated with rural and regional placements, by:
(a) extending practical placement payments to students of all care sector professions including medical, allied health, mental health, pharmacy and veterinary sciences, who are required to undertake such placements as mandatory components of their courses;
(b) reducing both the student and Government funding contribution for units that are delivered as practical placements; and
(c) allowing practical placements undertaken by Australian students overseas to be recognised as course credit by their Australian higher education provider”.
Debate ensued.
Amendment negatived.
Question—That the bill be now read a second time—put and passed—bill read a second time.
Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.
On the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education), the bill was read a third time.
8
Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—
Debate resumed.
Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.
Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.
On the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education), the bill was read a third time.
9
Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —MEMBERSHIP
The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated a Member to be a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Dr Charlton (Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy), by leave, moved—That Ms Campbell be appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Question—put and passed.
10
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—
Debate resumed.
Debate adjourned (Mr Giles—Minister for Skills and Training), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.
11
Provisions of the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025—STATEMENTS
In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—
Statements being made—
Ms Briskey addressing the House—
It being 1.30 pm, statements were interrupted in accordance with standing order 43.
12
MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS
Members’ statements were made.
13
QUESTIONS
Questions without notice being asked—
Member directed to leave
At 3.03 pm the Member for Wannon ( Mr Tehan ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for disorderly behaviour and he accordingly left the Chamber.
Questions without notice continued.
14
DOCUMENTS
The following documents were presented:
*Executive Director of Township Leasing—Report for 2023-24.
*Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force—Report for 2023-24.
Sydney Airport Demand Management Act 1997— Quarterly report on movement cap for Sydney airport for the period 1 October to 31 December 2024.
*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.
15
DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Regional Australia
The House was informed that Mr Hogan had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s continued neglect of regional Australia”.
The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—
Mr Hogan addressed the House.
Discussion ensued.
Discussion concluded.
16
COMMITTEES —MEMBERSHIP
The House was informed that the Chief Opposition Whip had nominated Members to be members of certain committees.
Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), by leave, moved—That Members be appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the following list:
Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration—Ms Aldred, Mr Pasin, Ms Penfold and Mr R Wilson.
Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water—Ms Boele, Mr Boyce, Mr Kennedy and Ms Steggall.
Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport—Ms Aldred, Ms Penfold, Ms Steggall and Mr Venning.
Standing Committee on Economics—Mr Kennedy, Mr Pike, Ms Spender and Mr Violi.
Standing Committee on Education—Mr Birrell, Ms Chaney, Ms McKenzie and Mr Rebello.
Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training—Ms Le, Mr Small, Mr Violi and Mr Young.
Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability—Mr Birrell, Mr Caldwell, Dr M Ryan and Dr Scamps.
Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science—Ms Boele, Ms Landry, Mr McCormack and Mr Venning.
Standing Committee on Petitions—Mr L O’Brien, Mr Rebello and Mr Wallace.
Standing Committee on Primary Industries—Mr Chaffey, Ms Landry, Ms Sharkie and Mr Venning.
Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests—Mr McCormack, Mr Small, Mr Wallace, Mr Wilkie and Mr R Wilson.
Standing Committee on Procedure—Mr L O’Brien, Mr Rebello and Mr Small.
Publications Committee—Ms Aldred, Mr Batt and Mr Small.
Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport—Dr Haines, Mr Joyce, Ms Penfold and Mr Venning.
Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs—Ms Chaney, Mr Hamilton, Mr McCormack and Mr Thompson.
Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings—Mr Batt and Mr Pike.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services—Mr Hamilton and Mr Violi.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights—Mr Rebello and Dr M Ryan.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement—Mr Batt and Mr L O’Brien.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission—Mr Conaghan and Dr Haines.
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit—Ms Aldred, Mr Joyce, Mr Kennedy and Mr Young.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works—Mr Willcox and Mr R Wilson.
Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs—Mr Chaffey and Mr Venning.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters—Mr Caldwell and Mr R Wilson.
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Mr Batt, Mr Boyce, Mr Hamilton, Mr McCormack, Mr Rebello, Ms Spender, Mr Thompson and Mr Wallace.
Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme—Ms McKenzie and Mr L O’Brien.
Joint Standing Committee on Migration—Mr Caldwell, Ms Le and Mr Pike.
Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories—Mr Caldwell and Mr Pike.
Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme—Ms Le and Mr Thompson.
Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia—Mr Thompson and Mr Willcox.
Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library—Mr Pasin and Mr Small.
Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth—Ms Sharkie and Mr R Wilson.
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties—Ms McKenzie, Ms Penfold and Mr Pike.
Question—put and passed.
17
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025
Message No. 8, 29 July 2025, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to health, and for related purposes.
Bill read a first time.
Ordered—That the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
18
ADDRESS IN REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the following Address in Reply to the speech of Her Excellency the Governor-General be agreed to:
May it please Your Excellency:
We, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Parliament assembled, express our loyalty to the Sovereign, and thank Your Excellency for the speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament—
Debate resumed.
Debate adjourned (Mr J Wilson—Assistant Minister for Emergency Management), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
19
Provisions of the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025—STATEMENTS
In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—
Statements were made.
20
ADJOURNMENT DEBATE
It being 7.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
21
Provisions of the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025—STATEMENTS
It being 8 pm—In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—
Statements being made—
At 9.52 pm, Ms Rowland (Attorney-General) required that statements continue until the conclusion of the statement by the Member for Newcastle, in accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting.
Statements continued.
22
ADJOURNMENT
At 10.02 pm, the Speaker adjourned the House until 9 am tomorrow, in accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOCUMENTS
The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 29 July 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):
Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Interception of Civil Aircraft (CASA 73/17) Amendment Instrument 2025—CASA 43/25 [F2025L00869].
Migration Act 1958—
Migration Regulations 1994—Migration (Class of Persons for Nil VAC—2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00870].
Notice under section 501C—27 July 2025.
Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—
Class Ruling—CR 2025/16 (Addendum).
Goods and Services Tax Determination—GSTD 2025/1.
Goods and Services Tax Industry Issue—GSTII FL1 (Addendum).
Goods and Services Tax Rulings—GSTR 2025/1, GSTR 2025/2.
Product Ruling—PR 2025/9.
Taxation Ruling—TR 2004/18 (Addendum).
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTENDANCE
All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Ms Fernando, Ms Swanson and Ms Templeman.
* On leave
|
|
|
|
|
|
Claressa Surtees
Clerk of the House of Representatives
Federation Chamber
2025
2025
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SUPPLEMENT TO VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
No. 5
FEDERATION CHAMBER
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
( Order of business for this sitting—see item No. 6, Votes and Proceedings, page 83. )
1
The Federation Chamber met at 12.31 pm.
2
GRIEVANCE DEBATE
Pursuant to the provisions of standing order 192 b , the order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That grievances be noted—
Debate resumed.
Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
|
6ae21339-7239-45a4-b982-77b1cf8ac750 1 |
|
|
|
|
Suspension of meeting
At 1.25 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.
Resumption of meeting
At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Members’ constituency statements were made.
4
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—
Debate resumed.
Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.
Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.
Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.
5
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—
Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.
Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.
Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.
6
Provisions of the Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025—STATEMENTS
Statements were made.
7
ADJOURNMENT
On the motion of Ms Lawrence, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.25 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Banson
Clerk of the Federation Chamber