Live Minutes


House of Representatives - Draft Minutes

These minutes are a draft record of the proceedings of the House of Representatives as they occur, and are subject to revision. The official record of proceedings is the Votes and Proceedings.

This site is updated every five minutes when the House is sitting. Regular refreshing of your screen will provide the latest proceedings through the day.

Draft minutes are also available for the Federation Chamber.

Related documents: Daily Program ("The Blue")  | Bills, including proposed amendments | Votes and Proceedings  | Notice Paper | Sitting calendar

Last updated: Friday, 5 September 2025 at 2:33 PMNo updates available
Jump to current item before the House

Draft House Minutes

No. 15

Thursday, 4 September 2025

- 9:00:07 AM

 1The 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.


- 9:01:02 AM

 2ORDER OF THE COURT OF DISPUTED RETURNS

The Clerk presented a letter from the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court of Australia, forwarding in accordance with section 369 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, a copy of the order made by the High Court of Australia sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns:

Kapterian v. Boele & Anor (No. S100 of 2025)—Remitting the election petition to the Federal Court of Australia—Order, dated 8 August 2025.


- 9:01:24 AM

 3Police Remembrance Day 29 September—STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER

Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to Police Remembrance Day 29 September.


- 9:07:18 AM

Mr Hastie addressed the House in reply.


- 9:09:48 AM

Mr Burke moved—That further statements on Police Remembrance Day 29 September be permitted in the Federation Chamber.


- 9:10:17 AM

Question—put and passed.


- 9:10:33 AM

 4Update on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide—STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER

Mr Keogh (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.


- 9:35:04 AM

Mr Chester addressed the House in reply.


- 9:59:15 AM

Mr Keogh moved—That further statements on the update on the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide be permitted in the Federation Chamber.


- 9:59:30 AM

Question—put and passed.


- 9:59:38 AM

 5MESSAGES FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR—Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Message Nos. 13 and 14, 3 September 2025, from Her Excellency the Administrator were announced recommending appropriations for the purposes of amendments to be made on motion moved by a Minister of a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to aged care and healthcare identifiers, and for related purposes.


- 9:59:58 AM

 6MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Message No. 25, 3 September 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 with requests for amendments and informing the House that the amendments indicated by schedule B annexed had been made by the Senate.


- 10:00:31 AM

Ordered—That the amendments requested by the Senate be considered immediately.


- 10:00:40 AM

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) moved—That the requested amendments be made.


- 10:02:39 AM

 Debate ensued.


Ms Ley,  10:02:56 AM. Ms Watson-Brown,  10:08:27 AM. Ms Sharkie,  10:11:28 AM. Ms Spender,  10:15:08 AM. Mr Gee,  10:17:49 AM.
- 10:19:43 AM

On the motion of Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), the requested amendments were made, after debate.


- 10:19:47 AM

 7MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 26, 3 September 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025 without amendment.


- 10:20:07 AM

 8Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025

Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to change the law relating to family assistance, paid parental leave, social security, student assistance, youth training allowance and farm household support, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Plibersek presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:20:46 AM

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


- 10:36:54 AM

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


- 10:37:20 AM

 9Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Bill 2025

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Corporations Act 2001, the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the law relating to charities, taxation and the Financial Regulator Assessment Authority and to make minor and technical amendments of the statute law of the Commonwealth, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Leigh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:37:57 AM

Dr Leigh moved—That the bill be now read a second time.


- 10:50:12 AM

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


- 10:50:48 AM

 10Health Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 1) Bill 2025

Ms White (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to health, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms White presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:51:57 AM

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


- 10:59:32 AM

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


- 10:59:51 AM

 11Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Amendment Bill 2025

Ms White (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Private Health Insurance (National Joint Replacement Register Levy) Act 2009, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms White presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 11:00:18 AM

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


- 11:01:55 AM

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


- 11:02:19 AM

 12Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) 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.


Dr Webster,  11:02:33 AM. Ms Briskey,  11:16:31 AM.
- 11:27:03 AM

Mrs McIntosh 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 the Government’s telecommunications failure:

(1)on the botched closure of the 3G network that has left many Australians without telephone services in peri-urban, regional, rural and remote Australia;

(2)to respond to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee Report which was tabled in December last year to ensure regional communities have access to reliable telecommunications; and

(3)to release the consultation paper on the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation, despite committing to legislate this by the end of 2025”.


Ms Stanley,  11:37:51 AM. Mr T Wilson,  11:48:01 AM. Point of order, Mr Rae. 11:50:54 AM.
- 11:51:29 AM

Dr Webster, by leave, seconded the amendment moved by Mrs McIntosh.


- 11:52:19 AM

Debate ensued.


Mr T Wilson,  11:52:19 AM.
- 12:03:12 PM

Debate adjourned (Mr Giles—Minister for Skills and Training), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.


- 12:03:29 PM

 13BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared that the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration:

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026;

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; and

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026.


- 12:04:00 PM

 14Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) 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 Mrs McIntosh (see item No. 12, page XX)—

Debate resumed.


Ms Templeman,  12:04:05 PM. Mr McCormack,  12:18:53 PM. Ms T Cook,  12:34:01 PM. Ms Penfold,  12:44:02 PM. Ms Clutterham,  12:59:13 PM. Mr Gee,  1:13:06 PM.
- 1:22:15 PM

Debate adjourned (Mr Hill—Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.


- 1:22:36 PM

 15MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Message No. 27, 4 September 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 with amendments.


- 1:23:06 PM

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.


- 1:23:22 PM

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) moved—That the amendments be agreed to.


- 1:25:19 PM

 Debate ensued.


Mrs McIntosh,  1:25:24 PM.
- 1:30:32 PM

On the motion of Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), the amendments were agreed to, after debate.


- 1:30:50 PM

 16MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements being made—


Ms Penfold,  1:30:52 PM. Mr Laxale,  1:32:28 PM. Mr Pike,  1:34:04 PM. Ms Doyle,  1:35:35 PM. Ms Spender,  1:37:06 PM. Ms Byrnes,  1:38:34 PM. Ms Sharkie,  1:40:09 PM. Ms Comer,  1:41:42 PM. Mr Rebello,  1:43:13 PM. Ms Briskey,  1:44:42 PM. Mr Small,  1:46:05 PM. Mr D Smith,  1:47:23 PM. Mr Taylor,  1:48:52 PM. Mr M Smith,  1:50:24 PM. Mr Thompson,  1:51:57 PM.
- 1:53:32 PM

Document

Mr Thompson, by leave, presented the following document:

Criminalise the burning of the Australian flag—(Receipt of document as a petition subject to approval by the Standing Committee on Petitions).


- 1:53:57 PM

Members’ statements continued.


Ms Coker,  1:53:57 PM. Mr Ted O’Brien,  1:55:27 PM. Ms Payne,  1:56:59 PM. Mr Conaghan,  1:58:29 PM.
- 2:00:16 PM

 17QUESTIONS


- 2:00:20 PM

 (1)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:03:14 PM

 (2)Mrs Elliot to Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs)


- 2:06:41 PM

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement in relation to the former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.


- 2:07:16 PM

Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition), by indulgence, made a statement on the same matter.


- 2:07:53 PM

 (3)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:11:23 PM

 (4)Ms Payne to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:14:11 PM

 (5)Mr Wilkie to Ms Rowland (Attorney-General)


- 2:17:29 PM

Distinguished visitor announced.


- 2:17:55 PM

 (6)Mr M Smith to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)


- 2:21:10 PM

 (7)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:23:20 PM

 (8)Mrs Phillips to Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors)


- 2:25:05 PM

Member directed to leave

At 2.25 pm the Member for Cowper (Mr Conaghan) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.


- 2:25:05 PM

Questions without notice continuing—


Mr Rae,  2:25:26 PM.
- 2:27:06 PM

 (9)Mr Hogan to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:28:45 PM

 (10)Ms Lawrence to Mr Marles (Deputy Prime Minister)


- 2:32:18 PM

Member directed to leave

At 2.32 pm the Member for Fisher (Mr Wallace) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.


- 2:32:41 PM

Questions without notice continued.


- 2:32:41 PM

 (11)Dr Webster to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:37:19 PM

 (12)Ms Jarrett to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)


- 2:40:36 PM

 (13)Ms Boele to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 2:43:17 PM

 (14)Ms J Ryan to Dr Aly (Minister for Multicultural Affairs)


- 2:46:37 PM

 (15)Mr Thompson to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


Point of order, Mr Burke. 2:47:16 PM. Point of order, Mr Hawke. 2:47:54 PM. Mr Thompson,  2:49:05 PM. Mr Albanese,  2:49:35 PM.
- 2:50:17 PM

 (16)Ms Templeman to Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services)


- 2:53:39 PM

 (17)Ms Chaney to Ms Rowland (Attorney-General)


- 2:57:05 PM

 (18)Ms Stanley to Ms Rowland (Attorney-General)


- 3:00:27 PM

 (19)Mr Hawke to Ms Rowland (Attorney-General)


- 3:01:18 PM

 (20)Mr Burnell to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 3:04:29 PM

 (21)Ms Le to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


Point of order, Ms Le. 3:07:30 PM. Point of order, Mr Burke. 3:08:05 PM. Point of order, Ms Chaney. 3:08:57 PM. Mr Bowen,  3:10:05 PM.
- 3:11:05 PM

 (22)Mr Ng to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)


- 3:15:36 PM

 18DOCUMENTS 

The following documents were presented: 

*Aged Care Quality and Safety—Royal Commission—Implementation of recommendations of the final report—Annual progress report for 2025.

Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009—

Bi-annual report of the CFMEU Administrator—Second report, August 2025.

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union—The Construction and General Division Administrator—Financial statements for the 6 month period ended 22 February 2025.

Migration Act 1958—Section 486O—Assessment of detention arrangements—Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman’s reports—

No. 3 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 4 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 5 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 6 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 7 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 8 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 9 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 10 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 11 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 12 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 13 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 14 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 15 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 16 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 17 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

No. 18 of 2025—

Report.

Government response.

Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003—

Operation of Section 12G(2) of the Act—Report for 2024-25.

Operation of Section 54(2) of the Act—Report for 2024-25.

Quarterly reports on the operation of sections—

12G(1) for the period 1 April to 30 June 2025.

54(1) for the period 1 April to 30 June 2025.

*The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.


- 3:16:00 PM

 19DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Government

The House was informed that Mr Chester had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Government’s failure to govern for all Australians”.


- 3:16:14 PM

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—


- 3:16:17 PM

Mr Chester addressed the House.


- 3:26:23 PM

Discussion ensued.


Dr Mulino,  3:26:25 PM. Mr T Wilson,  3:36:27 PM. Ms Payne,  3:41:30 PM. Mr Birrell,  3:46:09 PM. Ms Campbell,  3:51:12 PM. Ms Penfold,  3:56:16 PM. Ms Comer,  4:01:23 PM. Mr Boyce,  4:06:21 PM. Mr Holzberger,  4:11:34 PM.
- 4:16:43 PM

Discussion concluded.


- 4:16:55 PM

 20MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Treasury Laws Amendment (Payments System Modernisation) Bill 2025

Message No. 30, 4 September 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payments System Modernisation) Bill 2025 with amendments.


- 4:17:15 PM

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.


- 4:17:30 PM

On the motion of Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer), the amendments were agreed to.


- 4:17:50 PM

 21MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 4 September 2025, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 28—Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025.

No. 29—Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025.


- 4:18:12 PM

 22Orders of the day returned to the House

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared the following Federation Chamber orders of the day, government business, returned to the House for further consideration:

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026;

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; and

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026.

Resumption of each debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.


- 4:19:02 PM

 23Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) 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 Mrs McIntosh (see item No. 12, page XX)—

Debate resumed.


- 4:19:21 PM

Mr Burnell addressing the House—


- 4:30:02 PM

 24ADJOURNMENT

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

Debate ensuing—


Dr M Ryan,  4:30:08 PM.
- 4:30:26 PM

Document

Dr M Ryan, by leave, presented the following document:

Letter from Australian health professionals to the Government calling for action in Gaza, August 2025.


- 4:31:13 PM

Debate continued.


Dr M Ryan,  4:31:13 PM. Ms Coffey,  4:34:59 PM. Mr Violi,  4:39:55 PM. Mr Gregg,  4:42:44 PM. Mr Thompson,  4:47:49 PM. Ms Claydon,  4:51:59 PM.
- 4:56:38 PM

Personal explanation, Dr Webster.


- 4:57:58 PM

The House continuing to sit until 4.58 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.


- 4:58:29 PM

DOCUMENTS 

 The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 4 September 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk): 

Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Act 2024—Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Amendment Rules (No. 2) 2025 [F2025L01038]. 

Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Industry Contribution Act 2011—Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Industry Contribution Determination 2025 (No. 1) [F2025L00590]—Replacement explanatory statement. 

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011—Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011—Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Russia and Ukraine) Amendment (No. 4) Instrument 2025 [F2025L01033]. 

Customs Act 1901—Customs (Australian Trusted Trader Programme) Rule 2025—LIN 25/083 [F2025L01032]. 

Federal Financial Relations Act 2009—Federal Financial Relations (National Partnership Payments—2025-26 Payment No. 3) Determination 2025 [F2025L01036]. 

Health Insurance Act 1973—Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 5) Determination 2025 [F2025L01037]. 

Migration Act 1958—Migration Regulations 1994—Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Amendment (Approved Destination Status) Instrument 2025—LIN 25/101 [F2025L01040]. 

National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2023—National Anti-Corruption Commission Regulations 2023—Financial assistance for parliamentarians—Consolidated statement of expenditure for 2024-25. 

National Land Transport Act 2014—National Land Transport (Roads to Recovery List) Variation Instrument (No. 2) 2025 [F2025L01035]. 

Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017—Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017—Consolidated statement of expenditure 2024-25. 

Public Service Act 1999—Public Service (Terms and Conditions of Employment) (Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission) Determination 2025 [F2025L01039]. 


- 4:58:34 PM

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Ms Belyea, *Ms Fernando, Mr Hamilton, Mr Katter, Ms Scrymgour and Ms Swanson.

* On leave