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.

Mental Health Month —STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Reference to Federation Chamber

Ms McBride (Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to mental health month.

Mr Caldwell addressed the House in reply.

Ms McBride moved—That further statements on mental health month be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

Selection Committee

The Speaker presented the following document:

Report No. 4 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 3 November 2025.

BILL DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) Bill 2025 referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025

Mr Keogh (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to veterans’ affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Keogh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025

Mr Giles (Minister for Skills and Training), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to authorise certain things done in relation to tax file numbers in connection with loans to students, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Giles presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 38, 28 October 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that Senator Bell had been appointed a participating member of the following committees:

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for the committee’s inquiry into the 2025 election; and

Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 39, 28 October 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Board of Management Functions) Bill 2025 without amendment.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 37, 28 October 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that the Senate had agreed to the following resolution:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 11 February 2026:

Triple zero service outages, with particular reference to:

(1) the Optus triple zero service outage of 18 September 2025, including:

(a) the cause of the outage including the performance of emergency ‘camp-on’ arrangements;

(b) the role of the Minister for Communications (the minister) and the Australian Government in safeguarding the integrity, resilience and public confidence of the triple zero system;

(c) the impact on Optus customers including in relation to the tragic deaths of a number of people as a result of not being able to telephone triple zero for emergency assistance;

(d) the response by Optus, including compliance with legislative, regulatory and policy requirements, the implementation of any technical and operational changes and any support and compensation provided to impacted customers and their families;

(e) the timeline of events, including the notification to and the adequacy of the response by the Australian Government, the minister and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA); and

(f) the role and responsibilities of Optus’s parent company Singtel with respect to Optus’s obligations to provide a telecommunications service on which Australians can depend;

(2) other recent outages affecting access to triple zero and the adequacy of the responses by the relevant entity, the minister, the Australian Government and ACMA;

(3) the frequency and management of triple zero outages including:

(a) the role of the minister, ACMA and the Australian Government in ensuring reliable access to and public confidence in emergency telecommunications assistance, including in relation to the efficacy, reliability and enforcement of emergency camp-on arrangements;

(b) steps taken to maintain access to emergency and essential services during outages and to support impacted Australians;

(c) the adequacy of regulatory, legislative and policy frameworks governing Australians’ access to emergency telecommunications assistance including whole-of-government responsibilities and co-ordination and the protection of vulnerable Australians; and

(d) whether federal government oversight of critical telecommunications infrastructure is fit for purpose;

(4) the implementation of recommendations of the Australian Government Review into the Optus Outage of 8 November 2023 (Bean Review) and the September 2024 inquiry report by the Environment and Communications References Committee into the Optus network outage;

(5) the limitations on domestic mobile telecommunications customers accessing services offered by alternate carriers, known as mobile phone ‘roaming’, which is particularly an issue in times of emergency in regional communities where mobile coverage can be less reliable;

(6) the appropriateness of contracts between Optus and the Australian Government, particularly since the Optus network outage of November 2023; and

(7) any other related matters.

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) 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 by Mr Taylor who 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 notes that:

(1) Australia faces the most challenging strategic environment since World War II, increasing the importance of bipartisan support for our ADF and strategic priorities;

(2) AUKUS represents a generational opportunity to:

(a) transform Australia’s defence capability and industries;

(b) create highly skilled jobs; and

(c) deepen investment links between Australia and our security partners;

(3) the scope of Australia’s strategic challenges will require increased defence spending over the next decade;

(4) membership of this committee should be predicated on support of higher spending on defence, a recognition of the threat environment, and support for the success of AUKUS;

(5) this bill has been modelled on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which has operated consistently and successfully scrutinised Australia’s intelligence community on a bipartisan basis for decades with membership exclusively composed of the Opposition and Government parties of the day; and

(6) any breaching of similar appointment conventions would represent a serious departure and politicisation of our defence force at a time of increasing danger for our region”.

Debate adjourned (Ms Rowland—Attorney-General), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) 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.

Debate adjourned (Ms Kearney—Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025

The order of the day having been read for the further consideration of the bill—

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

On the motion of Ms Spender, amendment (1) was made.

Ms Spender moved amendment (2).

Debate ensued.

Amendment negatived.

Mr Wilkie, by leave, moved amendments (1) and (2) together.

Debate ensued.

Amendments negatived.

Documents

Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services) presented a replacement explanatory memorandum to the bill and a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Ms Plibersek, by leave, Government amendments (2) to (25) were made together.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

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

Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) 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 Mr Ted O’Brien, 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 notes that:

(1) the Opposition strongly supports the principle of Payday Super;

(2) superannuation is part of an employee’s wage and must be paid on time;

(3) around $5 billion of superannuation goes unpaid every year;

(4) the Government has ignored Treasury advice which suggests Digital Service Providers require 18 months from legislating the changes before implementation;

(5) the Government is putting small business at risk by rushing the bill’s implementation;

(6) the Opposition is calling on the Government to delay the start date for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees for 18 months to provide them adequate time to adapt; and

(7) the Opposition is calling on the Government to legislate protections for small businesses who have made good faith efforts to comply”—

Debate resumed.

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.22 pm the Member for Goldstein ( Mr T Wilson ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 3.10 pm the Member for Herbert ( Mr Thompson ) 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.

Documents

The Speaker presented the following documents:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 4 of 2025-26—Information report—2024-25 Performance audit outcomes.

Australian National Audit Office—Report for 2024-25—Corrigendum.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia—Report for 2024-25.

National Portrait Gallery of Australia—Report for 2024-25.

Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority—Report for 2024-25.

WSA Co Limited—Report for 2024-25.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Gambling advertising

The House was informed that Mr Gee had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The need to ban gambling advertising”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Gee addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms Chesters (Chair) presented the following document:

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 228: AUKUS UK collaboration; UK and Indonesia defence treaties—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, October 2025.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

Ms Chesters and Ms McKenzie, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Mascarenhas (Chair) presented the following document:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Human rights scrutiny report: Report 6 of 2025—Report, 29 October 2025.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

Ms Mascarenhas, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) Bill 2025 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 29 October 2025, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 41— Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2025 .

No. 42— Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 .

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025

Message No. 40, 29 October 2025, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to separate the Australian Energy Regulator from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 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.

Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) 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 Mr Ted O’Brien (see item No. 16, page 263) —

Debate resumed.

Ms Campbell addressing the House—

ADJOURNMENT

It being 7.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

The House continuing to sit until 8 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 9 am tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 29 October 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Aged Care Act 2024— Aged Care Financial and Prudential Standards 2025 [F2025L01306].

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Flight in Class D Airspace near Sunshine Coast Aerodrome (Sunshine Coast Free Flyers Association Inc.) Instrument 2025—CASA EX72/25 [F2025L01282].

Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Act 2024— Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Methodology Determination 2025 [F2025L01302].

Hearing Services Administration Act 1997— Hearing Services Program (Voucher) Amendment (Inclusive Employment Australia) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01299].

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007— National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Amendment (2025 Update No. 2) Determination 2025 [F2025L01300].

Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995— Dispensation report—07/25.

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—

Class Rulings—CR 2025/75, CR 2025/76.

Taxation Determination—TD 2025/7.

Telecommunications Act 1997—

SMS Sender ID Register (Application, Access and Administration) Determination 2025 [F2025L01304].

Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration Variation 2025 (No. 1) [F2025L01279].

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986—

Statement of Principles concerning alcohol use disorder (Balance of Probabilities)—No. 86 of 2025 [F2025L01288].

Statement of Principles concerning incisional hernia (Balance of Probabilities)—No. 90 of 2025 [F2025L01292].

Statement of Principles concerning incisional hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis)—No. 89 of 2025 [F2025L01291].

Statement of Principles concerning umbilical hernia, peri-umbilical hernia and para-umbilical hernia (Balance of Probabilities)—No. 92 of 2025 [F2025L01294].

Statement of Principles concerning umbilical hernia, peri-umbilical hernia and para-umbilical hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis)—No. 91 of 2025 [F2025L01293].

Veterans’ Entitlements (Treatment and Other Matters) Amendment (Aged Care Act 2024) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01276].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Albanese, *Ms Fernando, Mr Katter, Ms M M H King and *Ms Payne.

* On leave

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

2025

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SUPPLEMENT TO VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

No. 21

FEDERATION CHAMBER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

The Federation Chamber met at 9.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 9.43 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 9.58 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.24 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.46 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) 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 the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) 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.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.30 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 3.59 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continuing—

Ms Briskey, by leave, again addressed the Federation Chamber.

Debate continued.

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General

Message No. 24, 2 October 2025, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.

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.

Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 2) 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 the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) 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 Mr Taylor (see item No. 11, Votes and Proceedings, page 260) —

Debate resumed.

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

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr French, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.33 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber