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Votes & Proceedings/Tuesday, 4 November 2025
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House

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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.

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ORDER OF THE DAY CALLED ON

Ordered—That order of the day No. 1, government business, be called on immediately.

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Freedom of Information Amendment 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—

Suspension of standing and sessional orders moved

Mr Hawke (Manager of Opposition Business) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent all remaining proceedings on the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 taking place in this Chamber.

Debate ensued.

Question—put.

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Gorman—Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

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Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) 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 (Mr Gorman—Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

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Regulatory Reform Omnibus 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.

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.

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MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

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QUESTIONS

Questions without notice were asked.

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DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Army and Air Force Canteen Service—Report for 2024-25, incorporating the annual reports on the monitoring of the equal employment opportunity management plan and of work health and safety arrangements and statistics.

Australian Communications and Media Authority and the eSafety Commissioner—Reports for 2024‑25.

Australian Institute of Family Studies—Report for 2024-25.

Australian National Maritime Museum—Report for 2024-25.

Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited—Report for 2024-25.

Australian Renewable Energy Agency—Report for 2024-25.

Australian Sports Commission—Report for 2024-25.

Australian Sports Foundation—Report for 2024-25.

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing—Report for 2024-25.

Digital Transformation Agency—Report for 2024-25.

Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority—Report for 2024-25.

Jobs and Skills Australia—Connecting for impact: Aligning productivity, participation and skills—Jobs and skills report for 2025, including a correction.

National Capital Authority—Report for 2024-25.

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator—Report for 2024-25.

Office of the Special Investigator—Report for 2024-25.

Sport Integrity Australia—Report for 2024-25.

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust—Report for 2024-25.

Veterans’ Review Board—Report for 2024-25.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

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SPEAKER’S PANEL

The following warrant revoking a nomination of the Speaker’s panel, pursuant to standing order 17, was presented:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Pursuant to the provisions of standing order 17, I revoke the nomination of Garth Russell Hamilton to be a member of the Speaker’s panel.

Given under my hand on 4 November 2025.

Dugald Milton Dick

Speaker

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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 betrayal of regional Australia is hurting family budgets and businesses”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Hogan rising to address the House—

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the business of the day be called on.

Question—put.

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Regulatory Reform Omnibus 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.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Dr Leigh, the Government amendment was made.

Debate ensued.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Dr Leigh , by leave, the bill was read a third time.

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Environment Protection Reform 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 standing and sessional orders

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring:

(1) in the House:

(a) today, standing order 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) being suspended for the sitting; and

(b) today, at 8 pm, notwithstanding standing order 31, the adjournment debate being interrupted 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 Wednesday, 5 November at 9 am;

(2) today, in the Federation Chamber, government business being given priority until the Federation Chamber adjourns at approximately 9.30 pm;

(3) the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 being debated in cognate with government business orders of the day Nos 5 to 10; and

(4) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.

Debate ensued.

Question—put.

Debate continued.

Ms Chaney 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) acknowledges that we need to achieve better outcomes for business and the environment;

(2) further acknowledges it is in the interest of the Government, Opposition and crossbench to work constructively to pass these reforms; and

(3) calls on the Government to amend this bill to resolve significant flaws, including loopholes in the offsets framework”.

Debate ensued.

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ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

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

Debate ensued.

Document

Mr Georganas , by leave, presented the following document:

Cultivating the Greek language within the Australian diaspora: The current landscape, barriers and frameworks—Report by Dimity Vlahos, 22 October 2025.

Debate continued.

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Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025

It being 8 pm—In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—

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 Chaney (see item No. 14, page 295) —

Debate resumed.

It being 10 pm, debate was adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

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ADJOURNMENT

At 10 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 4 November 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Acts Interpretation Act 1901— Statement relating to extension of time for presentation of periodic reports—High Speed Rail Authority—Report for 2024-25.

Aged Care Act 2024— Aged Care (Places Available for Allocation to Individuals 2025-2026) Determination 2025 [F2025L01349].

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017—

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Regulations 2017—ASIC (Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy—Annual Determination) Instrument 2025/690 [F2025L01347].

ASIC (Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy—Regulatory Costs) Instrument 2025/689 [F2025L01346].

Australian Education Act 2013— Australian Education Regulations 2023—Australian Education (Prescription of Guidelines and Documents) Amendment (Prescription of Ministerial Council Disability Guidelines) Determination 2025 [F2025L01344].

Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012— Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Exemption) Instrument (No. 3) 2025 [F2025L01348].

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—Class Ruling—CR 2025/77.

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Dr Aly, *Ms Fernando, Mr Katter, Mr Lim, *Ms Payne, Ms Price, Mr Thompson, Mr J Wilson and Mr Wood.

* On leave

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Federation Chamber

2025

2025

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SUPPLEMENT TO VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

No. 24

FEDERATION CHAMBER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Tuesday, 4 November 2025

( Order of business for this sitting—see item No. 14, Votes and Proceedings, page 295. )

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The Federation Chamber met at 12.38 pm, a division having been called in the House.

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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.

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Suspension of meeting

At 1.36 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

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MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 4.34 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 4.46 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

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Freedom of Information Amendment 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 6.05 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair due to the lack of a quorum.

Resumption of meeting

At 6.11 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and a quorum being present—

Debate continued.

Ms Chaney moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and calls for an independent review of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 , with terms of reference to provide recommendations on how best to:

(1) encourage greater proactive disclosure of information to the public, and thus reduce the need for formal freedom of information requests;

(2) maximise accessibility, transparency and efficiency for genuine and lawful freedom of information requests, including through setting an appropriate fee structure;

(3) improve the timeliness of dealing with freedom of information requests, including review processes;

(4) ensure that exemptions to disclosure requirements do not go further than is required for good government;

(5) create a robust system for the resourcing, training, auditing, and oversight of authorised officers responsible for freedom of information decisions;

(6) manage vexatious and frivolous requests;

(7) address the potential impact of artificial intelligence, both to improve freedom of information processing and to mitigate the impact of its use in generating vexatious and frivolous requests; and

(8) provide structural support for public servants to provide frank, honest, timely and evidence-based advice”.

Debate ensued.

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Suspension of meeting

At 8.32 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 8.35 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continued.

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

“declines to give the bill a second reading, and:

(1) notes that:

(a) freedom of information laws are there to serve the public, not make the lives of Ministers or public servants easier;

(b) in designing this bill, the Government failed to consult any members of the public, journalists or other stakeholders who use the freedom of information legislation, only government departments;

(c) the Centre for Public Integrity has ‘fact-checked’ four claims the Government has made relating to this bill they argue are false; and

(d) the Centre for Public Integrity has recently released its Integrity Report Card that gave the Government a ‘fail’ on five out of six integrity measures, including a fail on ‘Commitment to Transparency’; and

(2) urges the Government to urgently address the issues raised in the Integrity Report Card and prioritise restoring public trust in government”.

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

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ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr D Smith, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 9.27 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber

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