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Votes & Proceedings/Thursday, 26 March 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

Bangarra Dance Theatre—Venice Biennale Golden Lion —STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Reference to Federation Chamber

Mr Burke (Minister for the Arts), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to the Bangarra Dance Theatre—Venice Biennale Golden Lion.

Ms Bell addressed the House in reply.

Mr Burke moved—That further statements on the Bangarra Dance Theatre—Venice Biennale Golden Lion be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

3

Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026

Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 , and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rishworth presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

4

Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to the proceeds of crime, telecommunications interception, customs, excise and taxation, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Hill presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

5

SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS —Consideration of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026

Mr Tehan (Manager of Opposition Business) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:

(1) the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 being called on immediately and having precedence over all other business;

(2) debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding without interruption, with the time for each speech limited to five minutes;

(3) questions then being immediately put on any amendments moved to the motion for the second reading and on the second reading of the bill;

(4) if required, a consideration in detail stage of the bill, with any detail amendments to be moved together, with:

(a) one question to be put on all government amendments;

(b) one question to be put on all opposition amendments;

(c) separate questions then to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and

(d) one question to be put that the bill [as amended] be agreed to;

(5) any remaining questions required to conclude consideration in detail being put from no later than 1 pm;

(6) when the bill has been agreed to, the question being put immediately on the third reading of the bill; and

(7) any variation to these arrangements being made only on a motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business.

Debate ensuing—

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the motion be amended to read:

“That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:

(1) the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 being called on immediately to be debated concurrently and having precedence over all other business;

(2) debate on the second reading of the bills proceeding without interruption, with the time for each speech limited to five minutes;

(3) questions then being immediately put on any amendments moved to the motion for the second reading and on the second reading of the bills;

(4) if required, a consideration in detail stage of each of the bills, with any detail amendments to be moved together, with:

(a) one question to be put on all government amendments;

(b) one question to be put on all opposition amendments;

(c) separate questions then to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and

(d) one question to be put that the bills [as amended] be agreed to;

(5) any remaining questions required to conclude consideration in detail being put from no later than 1 pm; and

(6) when the bills have been agreed to, the question being put immediately on the third reading of the bills”.

The time allowed by standing order 1 for debate on the motion having expired—

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

Question—That the motion, as amended, be agreed to—put.

6

Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026

Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026

In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—

The orders of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bills be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Ms Watson-Brown 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 Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 a second reading, the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) price gouging is not banned under Australian law except in relation to supermarkets;

(b) this bill will do nothing to stop fuel corporations from price gouging because it only increases penalties on existing offences; and

(c) claims that this bill will stop fuel corporations price gouging are misleading the Australian public; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) stop backing President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s illegal war on Iran, which is a key driver of skyrocketing fuel prices; and

(b) extend the supermarket price gouging ban across the whole economy including fuel corporations”.

Debate ensued.

Mr Small moved, as an amendment to the amendment proposed by Ms Watson-Brown—That all words after “whilst” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“not declining to give the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 a second reading, the House:

(1) notes the Leader of the House has previously stated that the reason governments rush legislation is because ‘they don’t want there to be a debate in the people’s house about the impact of this legislation’;

(2) further notes the Government’s shameful opportunism in preventing the House’s consideration of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, or the impact of the legislation; and

(3) calls on the Government to explain why these provisions for a temporary crisis are permanent”.

Debate ensued.

Mr Mitchell addressing the House—

It being 1 pm—In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—

Question—That the amendment moved by Mr Small to the amendment proposed by Ms Watson-Brown be agreed to—put.

Question—That the amendment moved by Ms Watson-Brown be agreed to—put.

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

On the motion of Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs), the bills were read a third time.

7

Law Enforcement—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORTS—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Batt (Deputy Chair) presented the following documents:

Law Enforcement—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

Examination of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission annual report 2024-25—Report, March 2026.

Examination of the Australian Federal Police annual report 2024-25—Report, March 2026.

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

Mr Batt, by leave, made a statement in connection with the reports.

8

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 3 of 2026 (received by the Speaker on 19 March 2026, pursuant to standing order 247)—Report, 19 March 2026.

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.

9

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

10

DEATH OF FORMER MEMBER ( Dr Wylie Talbot Gibbs )

The Speaker informed the House of the death, on 9 March 2026, of Dr Wylie Talbot Gibbs, a Member of this House for the Division of Bowman from 1963 to 1969.

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

11

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.14 pm the Member for Bowman ( Mr Pike ) 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.

12

DOCUMENT

The following document was presented:

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031—Implementation report for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025.

13

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Leadership

The House was informed that Mr Taylor (Leader of the Opposition) had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Government’s failure to provide national leadership”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Taylor addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

15

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025

Message No. 88, 26 March 2026, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to amend the Housing Australia Act 2018 , 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.

16

High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the second reading—

Document

Mr J Wilson (Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) presented a revised explanatory memorandum to the bill.

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

Debate ensued.

Ms Campbell addressing the House—

17

ADJOURNMENT

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

Debate ensued.

The House continuing to sit until 5.01 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 10 am on Monday, 30 March 2026.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 26 March 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994— Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Amendment (Registration Renewals) Regulations 2026 [F2026L00355].

Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 and Customs Act 1901— Charter of the United Nations Legislation Amendment (Sanctions) Regulations 2026 [F2026L00298].

Civil Aviation Act 1988—

Civil Aviation Regulations 1988—Civil Aviation Orders 100.23 and 100.24 Amendment Instrument 2026 [F2026L00317].

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Civil Aviation (Community Service Flights—Conditions on Flight Crew Licences) Amendment Instrument 2026—CASA 15/26 [F2026L00363].

Corporations Act 2001—

ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2026/186 [F2026L00330].

ASIC Corporations (Consents to Statements) Instrument 2026/89 [F2026L00331].

ASIC Corporations (Disregarding Technical Relief) Instrument 2026/180 [F2026L00360].

ASIC Corporations (Non-cash Payment Facilities) Instrument 2026/167 [F2026L00318].

ASIC Corporations (Sale Offers by Controllers) Instrument 2026/95 [F2026L00348].

ASIC Corporations (Sale Offers: Securities Issued on Conversion of Convertible Notes) Instrument 2026/96 [F2026L00346].

ASIC Corporations (Sale Offers That Do Not Need Disclosure) Instrument 2026/94 [F2026L00347].

Customs Act 1901— Customs (Customs Place—Christmas Island) Approval 2026—LIN 26/033 [F2026L00319].

Fisheries Management Act 1991— Fisheries Management Act 1991 (Southern Bluefin Tuna Algal Bloom) Temporary Order No. 1 2026 [F2026L00359].

Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915— Administration Ordinance 1990 (Jervis Bay Territory)—Electricity Supply Fees Determination (Jervis Bay Territory) 2026 [F2026L00325].

National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009— ASIC Credit (Updated Details for Prescribed Disclosure) Instrument 2026/122 [F2026L00364].

Online Safety Act 2021— Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Amendment Rules 2026 [F2026L00370].

Private Health Insurance Act 2007—

Private Health Insurance (Incentives) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2026 [F2026L00320].

Private Health Insurance (Medical Devices and Human Tissue Products) Amendment Rules (No. 1) 2026 [F2026L00356].

Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973— Remuneration Tribunal (Members’ Fees and Allowances) Regulations 2026 [F2026L00300].

Social Security Act 1991—

Social Security (Personal Care Support) (ACT Lifetime Care and Support Scheme) Determination 2026 [F2026L00351].

Social Security (Prospective Determinations for Some Recipients) Guidelines 2026 [F2026L00357].

Telecommunications Act 1997— Telecommunications (Non-refundable Code Development Costs and Auditing Requirements) Determination 2026 [F2026L00305].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr Burns, Dr Haines, Mr Katter, Mrs Phillips, Mr Thistlethwaite and Mr Wood.

* 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 9.55 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.17 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

3

Better and Fairer Schools Agreement progress report—Ministerial Statement —MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education)—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 25 March 2026 ), viz.—

Better and Fairer Schools Agreement progress report—Statement by the Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP, 25 March 2026—

Debate resumed.

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

4

Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme—STATEMENTS

Statements were made.

5

ADJOURNMENT

Mr Zappia moved—That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Question—put and passed.

At 12.21 pm, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Federation Chamber until 10.30 am on Monday, 30 March 2026.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber

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