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Votes & Proceedings/Wednesday, 4 February 2026
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House

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

Selection Committee

The Speaker presented the following document:

Report No. 6 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 9 February 2026.

3

AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION —REPORT—STATEMENT BY SPEAKER

The Speaker presented the following document:

Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Romania and Switzerland and to the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Geneva, Switzerland, 12 to 23 October 2025—Report, February 2026.

The Speaker made a statement in connection with the report.

4

Document

The Speaker presented the following document:

Statements of thanks and appreciation—Former Members of the 47th Parliament, February 2026.

5

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Local Court and Bail Legislation Amendment Act 2025 of New South Wales, and for other purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Ms Rowland moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

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

6

Copyright Amendment Bill 2025 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to with amendments ( see item No. 4, Minutes of Proceedings of the Federation Chamber, 3 February 2026 ), and presented a certified copy of the bill together with a schedule of amendments.

Amendments made by the Federation Chamber agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

On the motion of Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

7

BILL DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of the bill.

8

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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Ms Steggall, 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 that:

(a) our local independent breweries and spirit distilleries are in crisis;

(b) brewers and distilleries carry a huge financial burden, from growing inflationary pressure to the price of energy, and issues around staffing and the rising cost of alcohol excise taxation;

(c) excise on beer and spirits has increased by more than 17 per cent since 2020, adding significant strain on our brewers and the spirits industry;

(d) according to the Independent Brewers Association, at least 51 independent brewing businesses entered voluntary administration or closed in the two years to April 2025, as mounting costs and rising excise made it harder to stay viable;

(e) Australia’s spirits tax remains indexed to CPI twice a year and is one of the highest spirits taxes in the world; and

(f) while this bill provides relief in taxation for draught beer it does not extend this assistance to these other producers; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) freeze indexation of all alcohol excise taxes until at least 1 August 2027;

(b) index the excise remission cap annually in line with inflation; and

(c) extend the deadlines for payback of excise debt to the ATO”—

And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Joyce, viz. —That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“calls on the Government to support hospitality venues struggling under the growing burden of government regulation and growth in overheads by eliminating alcohol excise duty on any alcoholic product sold for consumption on-premises in a hospitality venue”—

Debate resumed.

Question—That the amendment moved by Mr Joyce to the amendment proposed by Ms Steggall be agreed to—put and negatived.

Question—That the amendment moved by Ms Steggall be agreed to—put.

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.

Ms Boele moved an amendment.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

Dr M Ryan, by leave, moved amendments (1) to (3) together.

Amendments negatived.

Mr Gee moved an amendment.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

The House divided and only Ms Boele, Mr Gee, Ms Le and Dr Scamps voting “Aye”, the Speaker (Mr Dick) declared the question resolved in the negative.

Mr Conaghan moved an amendment.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

Bill agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

9

Customs 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—

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

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Mr Conaghan moved amendment (1) on sheet 1.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

Mr Conaghan moved amendment (1) on sheet 2.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

Bill agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

10

Translating and Interpreting 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 a later hour this day.

11

Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) 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 Jarrett addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Ms Jarrett 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.

12

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

13

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.59 pm the Member for Herbert ( Mr Thompson ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given by the Chair and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 3.10 pm the Member for Fairfax ( Mr Ted O’Brien ) 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 3.28 pm the Member for O’Connor ( Mr R Wilson ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given by the Chair and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) addressing the House—

Closure of Member moved

Mr Hawke (Manager of Opposition Business) moved—That the Member be no longer heard.

Question—put.

Questions without notice continued.

14

Death of Ljupco (Luch) Jonceski —STATEMENT BY SPEAKER

The Speaker made a statement on the death of Ljupco (Luch) Jonceski.

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister) and Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition), by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.

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

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That further statements on the death of Ljupco (Luch) Jonceski be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

15

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Australian Transport Safety Bureau—Report for 2024-25.

Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002— Report on the operation of the Act for the period 1 March to 31 August 2025.

*The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

16

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Cost of living

The House was informed that Mr Littleproud (Leader of The Nationals) had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s reckless agenda driving up the cost of living for Australian families”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Littleproud addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

17

Health, Aged Care and Disability—Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Dr Freelander (Chair) presented the following documents:

Health, Aged Care and Disability—Standing Committee—No child left behind: Report into the Thriving Kids initiative (received by the Speaker on 22 December 2025, pursuant to standing order 247) —

Report, incorporating dissenting reports, December 2025.

Minutes of proceedings.

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

Dr Freelander and Dr M Ryan, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Dr Freelander moved—That the House take note of the report.

In accordance with standing order 39, the debate was adjourned, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Dr Freelander moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

18

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

Ms Mascarenhas (Chair) presented the following documents:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

Human rights scrutiny report: Report 8 of 2025 (received by the Speaker on 11 December 2025, pursuant to standing order 247) —Report, 11 December 2025.

Human rights scrutiny report: Report 1 of 2026—Report, 4 February 2026.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the reports were made Parliamentary Papers.

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

19

Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Sitou presented the following document:

Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—Report 513: Annual report 2024-25—Report, November 2025.

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

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

Documents

Ms Sitou , by leave, presented the following documents:

Executive Minutes on reports Nos 498, 502, 505, 506, 507, 509, 511 and 512.

20

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Deputy Speaker reported that the Federation Chamber had been unable to complete its consideration of the bill and had returned the bill with an unresolved question ( see item No. 3, Minutes of Proceedings of the Federation Chamber, page 457 ), and presented a certified copy of the bill together with a schedule of the unresolved question.

Unresolved question—That the amendment be agreed to—

Question—put.

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

Message from the Governor-General

Message No. 40, 21 November 2025, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Mr Keogh (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Keogh, the Government amendment was made.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Mr Keogh , by leave, the bill was read a third time.

21

Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) 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 Ms McBride (Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

23

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 4 February 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2024— Aged Care Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Rules 2026 [F2026L00074].

Australian Citizenship Act 2007— Exercise of ministerial discretion under subsection 22A(1A)—12 January 2026.

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011— Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011—Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Iran) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2026 [F2026L00077].

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013— Notice under section 72—Commonwealth acquired shares in Australian Business Growth Fund Pty Ltd—29 January 2026.

Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018— Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule) Alternative Standard Amendments 2025 [F2026L00076].

Social Security Act 1991— Social Security (AGDRP—Victoria—Bushfires) Determination (No. 7) 2026 —LIN 26/018 [F2026L00075].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr Burns, Ms M M H King, *Mr Neumann, *Ms Payne, *Dr Reid, Ms Swanson and Ms Wells.

* On leave

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Federation Chamber

1

The Federation Chamber met at 9.30 am.

2

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 9.41 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 9.53 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 9.58 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.09 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.17 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.26 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.32 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.45 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.53 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 11.17 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

3

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous 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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Taylor, 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 calls on the Government to remove any references to a notification of the Chief of the Defence Force, considering the impact this would have on a member’s right to privacy and access to care”—

Debate resumed.

3248e8d3-9ba2-4744-bfe2-3c2abd04476f 1

Suspension of meeting

At 11.49 am, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 11.52 am, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put and not being resolved—bill to be returned to the House with an unresolved question.

4

Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) 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.

b7187d0c-fbc2-4b53-b94b-49992399fa54 1

Suspension of meeting

At 1.27 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4.11 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continued.

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

Translating and Interpreting 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.

Suspension of meeting

At 5.25 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 5.36 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

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

DEATH OF FORMER Senator (the Honourable Nick Bolkus)—CONDOLENCE MOTION

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 25 December 2025, of the Honourable Nick Bolkus, a former Minister and Senator for the State of South Australia from 1981 to 2005, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

Debate resumed.

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

7

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr French, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.28 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber

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