HouseLive

1

The House met, at 9 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

2

Deaths in custody —STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Reference to Federation Chamber

Ms Rishworth (Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to deaths in custody.

Mr Leeser addressed the House in reply.

Ms Steggall and Ms Scrymgour, by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.

Ms Rishworth moved—That further statements on deaths in custody be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

3

30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide —STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Reference to Federation Chamber

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

Mr Tehan addressed the House in reply.

Mr Husic, by indulgence, also made a statement on the matter.

Mr Hill moved—That further statements on the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

4

Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2025

Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish a workplace protection orders scheme in relation to Commonwealth workers and Commonwealth workplaces, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Burke presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Mr Burke moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Chaffey), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

5

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber, a Governor-General’s message recommending an appropriation had been reported, and the bill had been agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

6

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 9, 30 July 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that:

Senator Walker had been discharged from attendance on the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia, and Senator Whiteaker had been appointed a member of the committee; and

Senators Brown and Polley had been appointed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards.

7

Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) 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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Ms Spender, viz.— 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:

(a) Australia has just had the worst decade for productivity in the past 60 years;

(b) boosting productivity is the only way Australia can sustainably increase wages over time;

(c) the Government’s agenda to lift Australia’s productivity is not comprehensive without considering the role of Australia’s industrial relations system; and

(d) in 2023, the Productivity Commission’s report Advancing Prosperity recommended that the Fair Work Act be amended to explicitly include productivity as an objective of modern awards; and

(2) calls on the Government to amend subsection 134(1) of the Fair Work Act such that productivity is an objective of modern awards, as per Recommendation 7.13 of the Productivity Commission’s report Advancing Prosperity ”—

Debate resumed.

Mr Kennedy moved, as an amendment to the amendment proposed by Ms Spender—That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“(1) notes the Government has failed to consult meaningfully with Australian small businesses on the impact of the bill;

(2) condemns the Government for refusing to allow the bill to be referred to a parliamentary committee for proper scrutiny and stakeholder input;

(3) expresses concern that:

(a) no Regulatory Impact Statement has been provided to assess how the bill will affect small business employment and operating costs;

(b) the Government cannot say how many small businesses will be impacted by the proposed changes; and

(c) key industry stakeholders, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group, Australian Retailers Association and the Minerals Council of Australia, have warned the bill will undermine flexibility, increase compliance complexity and reduce productivity; and

(4) calls on the Government to:

(a) immediately release a Regulatory Impact Statement;

(b) publish modelling of the bill’s economic and employment effects on small businesses;

(c) restore a clear consultation pathway for small business stakeholders; and

(d) amend the bill to ensure the Fair Work Commission retains sufficient flexibility to approve award variations that enable higher pay and simpler conditions where supported by both employers and employees”.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment moved by Mr Kennedy to the amendment proposed by Ms Spender be agreed to—put.

42Ayes

Negatived

Noes89

And so it was negatived.

Show members

Ayes (42)

Noes (89)

Question—That the amendment moved by Ms Spender be agreed to—put and negatived.

Question—That the bill be now read a second time—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Ms Rishworth, the Government amendment was made.

Mr T Wilson, by leave, moved Opposition amendments (1) and (2) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put.

40Ayes

Negatived

Noes93

And so it was negatived.

Show members

Ayes (40)

Noes (93)

Debate ensued.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Ms Rishworth , by leave, the bill was read a third time.

8

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—

Ms Chesters, by leave, again addressed the House.

Debate continued.

Debate adjourned, by leave (Mr Hill—Assistant Minister for International Education), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

9

Selection Committee

The Speaker presented the following document:

Report No. 1 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 25 August 2025—Revised.

10

SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS —Private Members’ Business on Monday, 25 August 2025

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Selection Committee’s determinations for Monday, 25 August 2025 being varied to reflect the terms of the revised report and for the variation to be shown in the Notice Paper for Monday, 25 August under ‘Business Accorded Priority’ in the House and Federation Chamber.

Question—put.

94Ayes

Agreed to

Noes36

And so it was resolved in the affirmative—by an absolute majority.

Show members

Ayes (94)

Noes (36)

11

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

12

death of His Holiness Pope Francis—CONDOLENCE MOTION—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the order of the day relating to the Prime Minister’s motion of condolence in connection with His Holiness Pope Francis had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion.

All Members present having risen, in silence—Motion agreed to.

13

Death of former Member (the Honourable Peter James Nixon)—CONDOLENCE MOTION—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the order of the day relating to the Prime Minister’s motion of condolence in connection with the Honourable Peter James Nixon AO had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion.

All Members present having risen, in silence—Motion agreed to.

14

DEATHS OF FORMER SENATORS ( Martin Bruce Cameron AND JOHN OWEN STONE )

The Speaker informed the House of the deaths of Martin Bruce Cameron, on 24 June 2025, a Senator for the State of South Australia in 1969 and John Owen Stone AO, on 17 July 2025, a Senator for the State of Queensland from 1987 to 1990.

As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased all Members present stood, in silence.

15

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.35 pm the Member for Forrest ( Mr Small ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continued.

16

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Australian Sports Commission—Corporate plan for 2025-29.

*Commonwealth Ombudsman—Public Interest Disclosure Scheme—Report for the period July to December 2024.

*The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

17

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Tax

The House was informed that Mr Ted O’Brien (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Government’s addiction to higher taxes and higher spending”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Ted O’Brien addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

18

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 31 July 2025, were reported returning the following bills without amendments or requests:

No. 10— Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025 .

No. 11— Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025 .

No. 12— Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025 ( without requests ).

No. 15— Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025 .

19

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025

Message No. 13, 31 July 2025, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to provide for a national higher education code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, 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.

20

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025

Message No. 14, 31 July 2025, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential matters arising from the enactment of the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Act 2025 , 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.

21

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee —MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Prime Minister had nominated Members to be members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer), by leave, moved—That, in accordance with the provisions of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 , Ms Claydon, Ms Lawrence, Mr Laxale and Dr Reid be appointed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Question—put and passed.

22

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 Address in Reply to the speech of Her Excellency the Governor-General be agreed to ( see item No. 8, page 107 )—

Debate resumed.

Mr McCormack addressing the House—

23

ADJOURNMENT NEGATIVED

It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Mr Repacholi addressing the House—

Closure

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the question be now put.

Question—That the question be now put—put and passed.

And the question—That the House do now adjourn—was accordingly put and negatived.

24

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee —MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Prime Minister had nominated Members to be members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Mr Burke (Leader of the House), by leave, moved—That, in accordance with the provisions of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 , Mr Hastie, Mr Taylor and Mr Wallace be appointed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Question—put and passed.

25

ADJOURNMENT

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the House do now adjourn.

Question—put and passed.

And then the House, at 5 pm, adjourned until 10 am on Monday, 25 August 2025.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 31 July 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Biosecurity Act 2015— Biosecurity (Suspended Goods) Repeal Determination 2025 [F2025L00884].

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—

Flight of Certain Ultralight Aeroplanes in Class D Airspace (Approved Flight Training Schools) Instrument 2025—CASA EX65/25 [F2025L00887].

Part 138 MOS Amendment Instrument 2025 [F2025L00843]—Initial explanatory statement.

Prescription of Singapore as a Recognised Foreign State Instrument 2025—CASA 44/25 [F2025L00875].

Currency Act 1965— Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 7) Determination 2025 [F2025L00885].

National Health Act 1953—

National Health (Application Fees for Pharmacist Approvals) Amendment Determination 2025—PB 73 of 2025 [F2025L00883].

National Health (Minimum Stockholding) Amendment Determination (No. 7) 2025—PB 93 of 2025 [F2025L00886].

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—

Goods and Services Tax Industry Issue—GSTII FI3 (Withdrawal).

Goods and Services Tax Rulings—

GSTR 2005/6 (Withdrawal).

GSTR 2007/2 (Withdrawal).

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Ms Collins, *Ms Fernando, Dr Freelander, Ms McBain, Ms Swanson, Ms Templeman and Ms Watson-Brown.

* On leave

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives