The House met, at 10 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

PETITIONS—STANDING COMMITTEE—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Belyea (Chair) presented the following documents:

Petitions—Standing Committee—Report 5: Petitions and Ministerial responses—

Report, 24 November 2025.

Petitions.

Ministers’ responses to petitions previously presented to the House.

Ms Belyea made a statement in connection with petitions.

Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) Bill 2025

Mr Wilkie, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 , and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Wilkie presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Repeal Net Zero 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.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

gas shortfalls

Ms Boele, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) south-east Australia is at risk of seasonal gas shortfalls by 2027 as a result of prioritising our export market;

(b) there are several reasons for this upcoming shortfall, including:

(i) gas exports commenced from Gladstone, Queensland in 2015;

(ii) within a decade, 75 per cent of the total east coast gas volume demand was being exported; and

(iii) since 2017, successive Commonwealth Governments have introduced overlapping, interim measures to avert shortfalls;

(c) in June 2025, the Government announced it would conduct a review into gas market regulation; and

(d) Australians deserve, and it should not be difficult to achieve, a sufficiently predictable, reliable, affordable and transparent market; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) only allow uncontracted gas to be exported after it has been offered to the domestic market at a reasonable price;

(b) end the cycle of changing government and regulator intervention in the gas market;

(c) conduct a thorough consultation process with key stakeholders for the purpose of reviewing the Future Gas Strategy, including to more deeply consider the impact of different gas users across the economy, the role of demand management and Australia’s climate change policy commitments;

(d) establish a clear framework for the deployment of gas in the transition to a net zero economy, to give suppliers, investors and large gas users the confidence to invest in clean technologies and infrastructure; and

(e) anchor the approach to gas market regulation in two key objectives:

(i) impose an ongoing obligation on LNG exporters to supply the domestic market, by embedding it in their export licences; and

(ii) improve transparency, by transferring the gas market monitoring role from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to the Australian Energy Regulator, with a requirement to regularly aggregate and publish price and contract terms, and market imbalances.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Ms Claydon, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) 25 November 2025 marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, beginning 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence;

(b) in Australia, it has been publicly reported that approximately 40 women have been killed by acts of violence so far this year;

(c) one in three Australian women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man since the age of 15;

(d) violence against women and girls impacts everyone, of all genders, ages, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds, does not discriminate and is almost always committed by men; and

(e) there is no excuse for violence against women and girls;

(2) commends the work that the Government has done so far in taking immediate and practical steps to support women and children to escape violence through significant investments; and

(3) recognises that there is still much more work to be done to prevent violence against women and children and create lasting change, which demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing, alongside strengthening the justice system and addressing issues like financial abuse and online safety.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

bulk billing

Mr Pike, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House notes that:

(1) families across Australia are paying the price for the Government’s broken promises on Medicare, with out of pocket general practitioner (GP) costs now almost $50 on average;

(2) the former Government left office with bulk billing rates at almost 90 per cent and lower GP out of pocket costs;

(3) the Prime Minister has broken his promise that Australians would only need their Medicare card, not their credit card, with costs continuing to rise and bulk billing continuing to plummet in 32 electoral divisions;

(4) only 13 per cent of metropolitan clinics have signed up to the Government’s bulk billing program, with local GP practices struggling under the Government’s rising cost of doing business crisis, including skyrocketing energy bills and rent; and

(5) the Government is using Medicare as a political football while ignoring the real pressures facing patients and GPs, leaving families in Australia saying it has never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—ASSENT TO BILLS

Messages from Her Excellency the Governor-General were announced informing the House that Her Excellency, in the name of His Majesty, had assented to the following bills:

6 November 2025—Message—

No. 32—

Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) 2025 .

Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) 2025 .

Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment 2025 .

Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) 2025 .

No. 33— Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) 2025 .

10 November 2025 —Message No. 34 —

Australian Centre for Disease Control 2025 .

Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) 2025 .

Annual statement on Northern Australia —MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms M M H King (Minister for Northern Australia), by leave, made a ministerial statement relating to the annual statement on Northern Australia.

Mr Littleproud (Leader of The Nationals) addressed the House in reply.

Document

Ms M M H King presented the following document:

Annual statement on Northern Australia—Statement by the Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King MP, 24 November 2025.

Ms M M H King moved—That the House take note of the document.

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

Ms M M H King, by leave, moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community 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

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Ms Rowland, by leave, Government amendments (1) to (11) were made together.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

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

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) 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.

Ms J Ryan addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Ms J Ryan was granted leave to continue her speech when the debate is resumed, 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 were asked.

Auditor-General’s Reports

The Speaker presented the following documents:

Auditor-General—Audit reports of 2025-26—Performance audits—

No. 5—Management of official residences and other assets: Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

No. 6—Australian Antarctic Program: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

No. 7—Compliance with domestic and international travel requirements in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

No. 8—Compliance with domestic and international travel requirements in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

No. 9—Department of Social Services’ management of the National Redress Scheme: Department of Social Services.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Australian Accounting Standards Board and Auditing and Assurance Standards Board—Reports for 2024-25.

*Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority—Report for 2024-25.

*CEA Technologies Pty Limited—Report for 2024-25.

*Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Report for 2024-25.

*Department of Social Services—Report for 2024-25.

*Director of National Parks—Report for 2024-25.

*Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission—Report for 2024-25.

Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995— Report for 2022-23 on the operation of the Act.

Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021— Registrar’s activity report for 2024-25.

*Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Recreational Company—Report for 2024-25.

*Tiwi Land Council—Report for 2024-25.

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DOCUMENT

Ms Claydon, by leave, presented the following document:

Procedure—Standing Committee—Maintenance of the standing and sessional orders (report of the 47th Parliament)—Report, November 2024—Corrigendum.

PUBLIC WORKS—PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Zappia (Chair) presented the following document:

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—Referrals made in July 2025 (4th report of 2025)—Report, November 2025.

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

Mr Zappia, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

National Disability Insurance Scheme—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Coker (Chair) presented the following document:

National Disability Insurance Scheme—Joint Standing Committee—NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia—Report, incorporating a dissenting report.

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

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

Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) 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 White—Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) 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.

Mr Kennedy 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 Deputy Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 24 November 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Australian Education Act 2013—

Australian Education (Commonwealth Share for Government Schools) Amendment (Adjustment No. 1) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01396].

Australian Education Regulations 2023—Australian Education (Prescription of Guidelines and Documents) Amendment (Prescription of Capital Grants Program Guidelines) Determination 2025 [F2025L01367].

Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Act 2011— Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Amendment (Identity Evidence) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01388].

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001— ASIC (Amendment) Instrument 2025/0602 [F2025L01381].

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011— Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011—

Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01362].

Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Syria) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01368].

Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Thematic Sanctions) Amendment (No. 3) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01407].

Autonomous Sanctions (Export Sanctioned Goods—Iran) Designation 2025 [F2025L01398].

Autonomous Sanctions Legislation Amendment and Repeal (2025 Measures No.1) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01370].

Autonomous Sanctions (Suspension of Sanctions—Syria) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01369].

Broadcasting Services Act 1992— Television Licence Area Plans (South Australia) (Consolidation) Variation 2025 (No. 1) [F2025L01363].

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011— Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Amendment (Identity Evidence) Rule 2025 [F2025L01419].

Christmas Island Act 1958— Christmas Island Legislation Amendment (Local Government, Interpretation and Other Matters) Ordinance 2025 [F2025L01386].

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Amendment of CASA EX45/24 (Operation of Certain Remotely Piloted Aircraft Over Populous Area) Instrument 2025—CASA EX92/25 [F2025L01387].

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955— Cocos (Keeling) Islands Legislation Amendment (Local Government, Interpretation and Other Matters) Ordinance 2025 [F2025L01385].

Crimes (Overseas) Act 1964— Crimes (Overseas) (Declared Foreign Countries) Amendment Regulations 2025 [F2025L01395].

Currency Act 1965— Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 11) Determination 2025 [F2025L01372].

Defence Act 1903— Defence (Individual benefits) Determination 2024 (No. 3) Amendment Determination (No. 14) 2025 [F2025L01400].

Digital ID Act 2024—

Digital ID (Accreditation) Amendment (PSPF and Other Measures) Rules 2025 [F2025L01394].

Digital ID Amendment (Redress Framework and Other Measures) Rules 2025 [F2025L01393].

Disability Discrimination Act 1992— Disability Standards for Education Amendment Standards 2025 [F2025L01390].

Federal Financial Relations Act 2009—

Federal Financial Relations (General Purpose Financial Assistance—2025-26 Payment No. 5) Determination 2025 [F2025L01373].

Federal Financial Relations (Temporary Energy Bill Relief Payments) Determination 2025 [F2025L01392].

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997—

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health, Disability and Ageing Measures No. 2) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00963]—Replacement explanatory statement.

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Home Affairs Measures No. 3) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00962]—Replacement explanatory statement.

Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts Measures No. 2) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01376].

Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2023— Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) (Initial Cost Estimates for 2026-27 Levy Period) Determination 2025 [F2025L01421].

Fisheries Management Act 1991—

Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Management Plan 2010—

Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Amendment (Fishing Season and Total Allowable Commercial Catch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01411].

Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery Amendment (Overcatch and Undercatch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01412].

Fisheries Management (Northern Prawn Fishery Seasonal Closures) Amendment Direction No. 2 2025 [F2025L01405].

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery Management Plan 2002—

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery (Total Allowable Catch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01408].

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Fishery (Trawl Fishing Capacity) Determination 2025 [F2025L01409].

Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery Management Plan 2006—Macquarie Island Toothfish Fishery (Total Allowable Catch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01410].

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery Management Plan 1995—

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Actual Live Weight Value of a Statutory Fishing Right) Determination 2025 [F2025L01416].

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Australia’s National Catch Allocation) Determination 2025 [F2025L01415].

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Fishing Season) Determination 2025 [F2025L01414].

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (overcatch and undercatch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01417].

Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery (Transfer Weighing of fish—purse seine method of fishing) Determination 2025 [F2025L01413].

Health Insurance Act 1973—

Health Insurance (Quality Assurance Activity—BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit) Declaration 2025 [F2025L01371].

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services—Allied Health and other Primary Health Care Services) Amendment (Eligible Disability) Determination 2025 [F2025L01403].

Help to Buy Act 2024— Help to Buy Program Directions 2025 [F2025L00682]—Replacement explanatory statement.

International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963— International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities—Nauru Trust Fund No. 2) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01379].

Lands Acquisition Act 1989— Statement under section 125—November 2025.

Migration Act 1958—

Direction under section 499—Order for considering and disposing of offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications—No. 115.

Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01389].

Migration Regulations 1994—Migration Amendment (Skilled Visa Reform Technical Measures) Instrument 2025—LIN 25/110 [F2025L01358].

Notice under section 501(3)—14 November 2025.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013— National Disability Insurance Scheme (Approved Quality Auditors) Rules 2025 [F2025L01383].

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007— National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Regulations 2008—National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Auditor Registration) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01382].

National Health Act 1953— National Health (Transitional Electronic National Residential Medication Chart) Amendment (Aged Care Legislation) Special Arrangement 2025—PB 131 of 2025 [F2025L01375].

Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021— Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Amendment (Remittal of Fees and Levies and Other Measures) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01378].

Privacy Act 1988— Privacy Regulations 2025 [F2025L01377].

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013— Notice under section 72—Commonwealth acquired shares in Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd—17 October 2025.

Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018—

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 81/03—Energy Consumption Labelling for Light Vehicles) 2025 [F2025L01402].

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Amendment Instrument No. 2 of 2025 [F2025L01404].

Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993— ASIC Superannuation (Amendment) Instrument 2025/449 [F2025L01391].

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—Class Ruling—CR 2025/78.

Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Act 2024— Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Rules 2024—Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) (Qualified GloBE Taxes) Determination 2025 [F2025L00985]—Replacement explanatory statement.

Telecommunications Act 1997— Telecommunications Service Provider (Network Outages Register) Determination 2025 [F2025L01399].

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979—

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Communications Access Coordinator) Instrument (No. 2) 2025—LIN 25/122 [F2025L01361].

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Legislation Amendment (Emergency Service Facilities) Instrument (No. 3) 2025—LIN 25/124 [F2025L01401].

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011— Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Fees Amendment (Updated Fees) Determination 2025 [F2025L01374].

Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984— Torres Strait Fisheries (Quotas for Tropical Rock Lobster (Kaiar)) Management Plan 2018—Torres Strait Fisheries (Quotas for Tropical Rock Lobster (Kaiar)) (Total Allowable Catch) Determination 2025 [F2025L01406].

Trade Marks Act 1995— Trade Marks Amendment (International Registrations, Hearings and Oppositions) Regulations 2025 [F2025L01380].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Bowen, Mr Buchholz, Mr Gosling, Mr Hastie, Mr Katter, Ms McBain, Mr L O’Brien, *Ms Payne and Ms Scrymgour.

* On leave

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

2025

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SUPPLEMENT TO VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

No. 27

FEDERATION CHAMBER

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Monday, 24 November 2025

The Federation Chamber met at 10.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Small and family businesses

Mr T Wilson, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that small and family business insolvencies have exploded since the election of the Government, as its policies crush confidence and drive businesses to close;

(2) recognises that:

(a) the Government’s industrial relations changes have replaced flexibility and fairness with confusion and compliance;

(b) the Government’s energy policies have driven up power bills for shops, cafes, workshops and family enterprises; and

(c) small and family business are being forced to work longer hours for less return, while competing against government-subsidised sectors and ever increasing compliance costs;

(3) further notes that the voices of small and family businesses have been drowned out by union and big-corporate interests within the Government’s decision making;

(4) condemns the Government for abandoning small and family businesses by:

(a) ignoring calls for tax relief and simpler regulation;

(b) pursuing workplace laws that punish entrepreneurship and flexibility; and

(c) failing to provide a clear pathway for small businesses to grow and employ more Australians; and

(5) affirms that the Opposition stands with small and family businesses who back themselves, create jobs and keep communities strong.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Mental health services

Ms Byrnes, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House notes that:

(1) October was Mental Health Month, and the Government is delivering more mental health services in the heart of communities; and

(2) as part of the Government’s plan to strengthen Medicare, the Government is building a national network of mental health support services across the lifespan, with more:

(a) Perinatal Mental Health Centres for new and expectant parents;

(b) Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs for children and families;

(c) headspace services for young people; and

(d) Medicare Mental Health Centres for adults.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games

Ms Watson-Brown, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Queensland State Government has not meaningfully engaged with the people of Brisbane, or with urban planning and architecture experts, on its plans for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games;

(b) urban planning and architecture experts are calling for an independent oversight committee and panel of architects and planners to help set a cohesive and coordinated framework and list of goals, as well as the establishment of a master plan; and

(c) the Brisbane 2032 Olympics Games are an opportunity to leave a lasting and positive impact for the regular people of Brisbane, not just deliver profits for property developers; and

(2) calls on the Commonwealth Government to work with the Queensland State Government and Brisbane City Council to:

(a) ensure genuinely affordable and public housing is delivered as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics legacy;

(b) undertake a review of the entire Brisbane public transport network; and

(c) meaningfully engage with the people of Brisbane and with urban planning and architecture experts for the construction of a master plan for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Student debt

Ms Clutterham, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) commends the Government for delivering on its commitment to cut student debt by 20 per cent for:

(a) apprenticeship support loans;

(b) the Higher Education Loan Program;

(c) student start-up loans;

(d) vocational education and training student loans; and

(e) the student financial supplement schemes;

(2) recognises that this will help more than three million Australians, whose student debt balances backdated to 1 June 2025 will begin to be reduced this month as the Australian Taxation Office implements the change;

(3) acknowledges that this will reduce the average student debt of $27,600 by $5,520 and, when combined with the Government’s 2024 changes to indexation, will cut approximately $20 billion in debt;

(4) welcomes the Government’s changes to make student loan repayments fairer by:

(a) replacing the current repayment system with a new marginal repayment system; and

(b) raising the minimum income threshold for repayments from $54,435 in 2024-25 to $67,000 in 2025-26;

(5) further acknowledges that reducing the debt burden for Australian graduates will help them build a better future for themselves and their families; and

(6) further commends the Government for:

(a) taking action on issues of intergenerational fairness;

(b) building a better and fairer education system; and

(c) supporting Australians with cost of living measures.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Regional airlines

Dr Webster, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) under the Government two regional airlines have collapsed and the domestic aviation sector has become more concentrated with just two airline groups representing 98.3 per cent of the market;

(b) major airlines have centralised activities, withdrawing staff, service provision and investment from the regions, closing bases and maintenance facilities in Mildura, Tamworth, Hobart and Canberra;

(c) the Government has committed up to $160 million to extend the Regional Express airline in administration but remains unable to guarantee regional services or affordability, nor whether regional creditors will be paid;

(d) programs to support regional airlines investing in capital upgrades and security screening services have been withdrawn; and

(e) the Government has botched the transition of air services for Australia’s island territories; and

(2) calls upon the Government to ensure regional Australians retain access to competitive, affordable, sustainable and safe aviation services.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for private Members’ business having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.31 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements being made—

Petition

Mr Zappia presented the following petition approved by the Standing Committee on Petitions :

National legislation for light pollution regulation and dark sky preservation—12,144 petitioners.

Members’ statements continued.

Low-income superannuation tax offset

Ms Jordan-Baird, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that the reforms to the low-income superannuation tax offset (LISTO) the Treasurer announced on 13 October 2025 will:

(a) increase the LISTO by $310 to $810; and

(b) raise the eligibility threshold from $37,000 to $45,000;

(2) acknowledges that these reforms will deliver a more secure retirement for 1.3 million Australians, of which around 60 per cent are women, with the total number of Australians eligible for LISTO increasing to 3.1 million;

(3) takes note of the legislation currently before the Parliament that ensures superannuation is paid on time to help more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve; and

(4) further acknowledges that only the current Government will protect Australians’ superannuation because of our commitment for Australians to earn more, keep more of what they earn, and to retire with more as well.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Residential aged care

Mr Birrell, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes the failure of the Government to deliver adequate aged care beds, with only 802 new residential aged care beds despite an annual need for more than 10,000 new beds;

(2) condemns the Government for forcing older Australians to remain in hospital beds with no medical need, leaving them ‘effectively homeless’ due to a severe shortage of aged care placements, at the expense of other patients needing urgent care;

(3) acknowledges the serious warnings from state health ministers, including from New South Wales and South Australian ministers, that this failure is blocking hospital beds, contributing to bed block in emergency departments, cancelled surgeries and gridlock across public hospital systems; and

(4) further notes that the Government claims to be investing in aged care but the current approach is clearly failing older Australians, hospital staff and patients, and demonstrates yet another example of the Government announcing big promises without delivering the necessary outcomes.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Claydon ( see item No. 6, Votes and Proceedings, page 360) —

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Bulk billing

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Pike ( see item No. 7, Votes and Proceedings, page 360) —

Debate resumed.

Mr M Smith, by leave, addressed the Federation Chamber.

Debate continued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Ethnic religious minorities

Ms Coker, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges with deep concern the ongoing persecution and discrimination faced by the Hazara people and other ethnic religious minorities under the Taliban;

(2) calls for the protection of all minorities in Afghanistan, as well as women and girls, noting no part of Afghanistan or Afghan society has been immune from violence or persecution; and

(3) recognises the valuable contributions of Hazara Australians to the cultural, social and civic life of our nation, and acknowledges that these contributions extend well beyond their own community.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Men’s mental health

Mr Repacholi, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) recognises that men’s mental health remains one of the most pressing and under-discussed health challenges in Australia;

(2) notes that every day, an average of seven Australian men take their own lives, lives that could have been saved with earlier support and connection;

(3) acknowledges the ongoing stigma that too often stops men from reaching out for help when they are struggling;

(4) calls on all levels of government, business, and community leaders to continue promoting awareness campaigns, education, and workplace initiatives that make it clear that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness;

(5) encourages men everywhere to check in on their mates, their workmates, and themselves and to make use of the great services available; and

(6) affirms that mental health is not just an individual issue but a community one, and that when men are supported to speak up and seek help, families and communities right across Australia are stronger for it.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr Repacholi, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.28 pm, until 12.30 pm tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber