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Last updated: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 8:51 PMNo updates available
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Draft House Minutes

No. 52

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

- 12:00:08 PM

 1The 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.


- 12:00:59 PM

 2BILL DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, thHigh Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.


- 12:01:22 PM

 3SUSPENSION 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 whole debate time limit on the motion to take note of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement progress report—Ministerial statement being removed.


- 12:01:43 PM

Question—put and passed, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.


- 12:01:51 PM

 4Suspension of standing and sessional orders—Consideration of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026

Mr Burke (Leader of the House)pursuant to notice, moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring in relation to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026:

(1)debate on the bill continuing after the second reading speech of the Minister;

(2)immediately following the conclusion of the discussion of a matter of public importance and the presentation of a delegation report by the Member for Corangamite, if the bill has not passed, debate to resume immediately;

(3)at no later than 5.30 pm, any questions necessary to complete the remaining stages of the bill being put, with any message from the Governor-General under standing order 147 being announced, and any detail amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them; and

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


- 12:02:43 PM

Debate ensued.


Mr Tehan 12:02:45 PM.
- 12:08:49 PM

Question—put and passed.


- 12:09:09 PM

 5Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026

Dr Chalmers (Treasurer) presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to taxation, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Chalmers presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 12:09:31 PM

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


- 12:14:33 PM

In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting, debate ensuing—


- 12:14:35 PM

Mr T Wilson moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“the House notes that:

(1)the reduction in fuel excise and corresponding reduction in the heavy vehicle road user charge reflects a policy first proposed by the Opposition;

(2)the Government initially denied there was a fuel supply problem in Australia and, by delaying taking action to ensure distribution of fuel to where it was needed, exacerbated price pressures and supply shortages;

(3)the Government delayed acting on cost of living relief despite mounting pressure on Australian households, small businesses and transporters;

(4)the Government has failed to provide any budget offsets or outline how this measure will be funded, increasing the risk of additional inflationary pressure where the only fuel guaranteed is for inflation, not for farmers or families;

(5)within 24 hours of the announcement, the Government’s proposed GST arrangements have already fallen into disarray, raising further concerns about fiscal credibility and coordination;

(6)uncertainty remains regarding fuel supply security and the risk of heavy-handed market interventions; and

(7)Australians deserve timely leadership and responsible economic management during this fuel crisis”.

Debate ensued.


Ms Jarrett 12:28:13 PM. Mr Birrell 12:41:26 PM. Ms Briskey 12:55:35 PM. Mr Littleproud 1:05:22 PM.
- 1:20:25 PM

Ms Payne addressing the House—


- 1:30:00 PM

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


- 1:30:17 PM

 6MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.


Ms Watson-Brown 1:30:20 PM. Ms Clutterham 1:31:37 PM. Mr Boyce 1:33:11 PM. Dr Reid 1:34:22 PM. Mr Wilkie 1:35:57 PM. Ms Fernando 1:37:25 PM. Mr Buchholz 1:38:55 PM. Mr D Smith 1:40:30 PM. Mr Caldwell 1:41:54 PM. Mr Ng 1:43:26 PM. Mr Chaffey 1:44:47 PM. Ms T Cook 1:46:19 PM. Mr Conaghan 1:47:45 PM. Ms K Cook 1:49:17 PM. Mr Chester 1:50:55 PM. Ms Sitou 1:52:31 PM. Mr Small 1:54:00 PM. Mr Gregg 1:55:33 PM. Mr Hastie 1:57:08 PM. Ms Mascarenhas 1:58:38 PM.
- 2:00:27 PM

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement congratulating the winner of the Squiz Kids ‘PM for a day’ competition.


- 2:01:56 PM

Mr Littleproud, by indulgence, made a statement on the same matter.


- 2:02:53 PM

 7QUESTIONS


- 2:02:57 PM

 (1)Mr Taylor to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:06:51 PM

 (2)Mr M Smith to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:10:10 PM

 (3)Mr Tehan to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 2:11:57 PM

Distinguished visitor announced.


- 2:12:52 PM

 (4)Ms Comer to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)


- 2:16:01 PM

 (5)Ms Spender to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)


- 2:19:17 PM

 (6)Ms Chesters to Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government)


- 2:22:42 PM

 (7)Mr Taylor to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:24:05 PM

 (8)Ms Claydon to Mr Marles (Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs)


- 2:27:49 PM

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


Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:29:07 PM. Point of order, Mr Burke. 2:29:24 PM. Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:29:44 PM. Mr Albanese 2:30:28 PM.
- 2:32:20 PM

 (10)Ms Coker to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 2:35:45 PM

 (11)Mr T Wilson to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)


- 2:39:20 PM

 (12)Mr Moncrieff to Ms Wells (Minister for Communications)


- 2:42:31 PM

 (13)Ms Steggall to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 2:44:51 PM

 (14)Mr Gregg to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)


- 2:48:13 PM

 (15)Ms Penfold to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 2:49:45 PM

 (16)Mr Repacholi to Ms Collins (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)


- 2:53:06 PM

Distinguished visitor announced.


- 2:53:15 PM

 (17)Ms Watson-Brown to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)


- 2:56:39 PM

 (18)Ms T Cook to Ms McBain (Minister for Emergency Management)


- 3:00:14 PM

 (19)Mr Chaffey to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 3:03:04 PM

 (20)Ms Mascarenhas to Ms M M H King (Minister for Resources)


- 3:06:32 PM

 (21)Mr Joyce to Mr Burke (Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water)


- 3:09:23 PM

 (22)Mr Burnell to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)


- 3:13:36 PM

 (23)Mr Batt to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)


- 3:16:43 PM

 (24)Mr Laxale to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)


- 3:20:25 PM

 8Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 27 of 2025-26—Performance audit—Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.


- 3:20:44 PM

 9DOCUMENTS 

The following documents were presented: 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs—Joint Standing Committee—Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians—Government response, March 2026.

Charter of the United Nations—Article 51—Letter from His Excellency Mr James Larsen, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, to His Excellency Mr Michael G. Waltz, President of the Security Council, in relation to measures in the Middle East, 30 March 2026.

Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Wholesale investor and wholesale client tests—Government response, April 2026.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—

‘Are we there yet?’ From recovery to resilience—Opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism sector—Final report for the inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors—Government response.

Inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors: ‘Quality and Integrity—the Quest for Sustainable Growth’—Interim report into international education—Government response, March 2026.

Infrastructure Australia—

Annual budget statement for 2026.

Annual performance statement for 2026.

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Advisory report on the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026—Government response, 12 March 2026.

Migration Act 1958—Section 486O—Assessment of detention arrangements—Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report—No. 11 of 2026

Report.

Government response.


- 3:21:23 PM

 10DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Gas exports

The House was informed that Dr Scamps had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The urgent need for a tax on gas exports to ensure all Australians receive a fair share of the benefits from the sale of our natural resources”.


- 3:21:45 PM

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—


- 3:21:50 PM

Dr Scamps addressed the House.


- 3:27:12 PM

Discussion ensued.


Dr Leigh 3:27:16 PM. Dr M Ryan 3:37:14 PM. Ms Mascarenhas 3:42:11 PM. Ms Boele 3:47:13 PM. Ms Chesters 3:52:08 PM. Ms Watson-Brown 3:57:13 PM. Point of order, Mr Chester. 4:01:20 PM. Ms Urquhart 4:01:40 PM. Ms Chaney 4:06:41 PM. Ms T Cook 4:11:30 PM. Ms Steggall 4:16:38 PM.
- 4:21:44 PM

Discussion concluded.


- 4:21:53 PM

 11AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION—REPORT

Ms Coker presented the following document:

Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Barbados, 5 to 12 October 2025Report, March 2026.


- 4:22:21 PM

 12Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026

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 Mr T Wilson (see item No. 5, page XX)

Debate resumed.


Mr Gee 4:22:47 PM. Ms Coker 4:37:57 PM. Mr Kennedy 4:49:09 PM. Ms J Ryan 5:04:13 PM.
- 5:18:59 PM

Mr Boyce addressing the House—


- 5:30:05 PM

It being 5.30 pm—In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—


- 5:30:22 PM

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.


- 5:30:37 PM

Division 143

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—

AYES, 35

Ms Aldred*

Mr Conaghan

Mrs McIntosh

Mr Tehan

Mr Batt

Mr Hamilton

Ms McKenzie

Mr Venning

Ms Bell

Mr Hastie

Mr Ted O’Brien

Mr Violi

Mr Birrell

Mr Hawke

Mr L O’Brien

Mr Wallace

Mr Boyce

Mr Hogan

Mr Pasin

Dr Webster

Mr Buchholz

Mr Kennedy

Ms Penfold

Mr Willcox

Mr Caldwell

Ms Landry*

Mr Pike

Mr R Wilson

Mr Chaffey

Mr Littleproud

Mr Rebello

Mr T Wilson

Mr Chester

Mr McCormack

Mr Small

NOES, 96

Mr Abdo

Mr Conroy

Mr Khalil

Ms Rishworth

Mr Albanese

Ms K Cook

Ms C King

Ms Rowland

Dr Aly

Ms T Cook

Ms M M H King

Ms J Ryan

Ms Ambihaipahar

Ms Doyle

Ms Lawrence

Dr M Ryan

Ms Belyea

Mr Dreyfus

Mr Laxale

Dr Scamps

Ms Berry

Mrs Elliot

Ms Le

Ms Scrymgour

Ms Boele

Ms Fernando

Dr Leigh

Ms Sitou

Mr Bowen

Ms France

Mr Lim

Mr D Smith*

Ms Briskey

Dr Freelander

Ms McBain

Mr M Smith

Mr Burke

Mr French

Ms McBride

Mr Soon

Mr Burnell

Dr Garland

Mr Marles

Ms Spender

Mr Butler

Mr Gee

Ms Mascarenhas

Ms Stanley*

Ms Byrnes

Mr Georganas

Ms Miller-Frost

Ms Steggall

Ms Campbell

Mr Giles

Mr Mitchell

Ms Swanson

Dr Chalmers

Mr Gorman

Mr Moncrieff

Ms Teesdale

Dr Charlton

Mr Gosling

Dr Mulino

Ms Templeman

Ms Chesters

Mr Gregg

Mr Neumann

Ms Urquhart

Mr Clare

Mr Hill

Mr Ng

Ms Watson-Brown

Ms Claydon

Mr Holzberger

Ms O’Neil

Mr Watts

Ms Clutterham

Mr Husic

Ms Payne

Ms Wells

Ms Coffey

Ms Jarrett

Ms Plibersek

Ms White

Ms Coker

Ms Jordan-Baird

Mr Rae

Mr Wilkie

Ms Collins

Ms Kearney

Dr Reid

Ms Witty

Ms Comer

Mr Keogh

Mr Repacholi

Mr Zappia

* Tellers

And so it was negatived.


- 5:39:20 PM

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


- 5:39:40 PM

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


- 5:40:25 PM

- 5:41:13 PM

 14MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

Message No. 9630 March 2026, from the Senate was reported returning the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 with amendments.


- 5:41:36 PM

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.


- 5:41:45 PM

Mr Clare (Minister for Education) moved—That the amendments be agreed to.


- 5:43:22 PM

Question—put.


- 5:43:27 PM

Division 144

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—

AYES, 98

Mr Abdo

Mr Conroy

Ms M M H King

Ms Rowland

Mr Albanese

Ms K Cook

Ms Lawrence

Ms J Ryan

Dr Aly

Ms T Cook

Mr Laxale

Dr M Ryan

Ms Ambihaipahar

Ms Doyle

Ms Le

Dr Scamps

Ms Belyea

Mr Dreyfus

Dr Leigh

Ms Scrymgour

Ms Berry

Mrs Elliot

Mr Lim

Ms Sharkie

Ms Boele

Ms Fernando

Ms McBain

Ms Sitou

Mr Bowen

Ms France

Ms McBride

Mr D Smith*

Ms Briskey

Dr Freelander

Mr Marles

Mr M Smith

Mr Burke

Mr French

Ms Mascarenhas

Mr Soon

Mr Burnell

Dr Garland

Ms Miller-Frost

Ms Spender

Mr Butler

Mr Georganas

Mr Mitchell

Ms Stanley*

Ms Byrnes

Mr Giles

Mr Moncrieff

Ms Steggall

Ms Campbell

Mr Gorman

Dr Mulino

Ms Swanson

Dr Chalmers

Mr Gosling

Mr Neumann

Ms Teesdale

Ms Chaney

Mr Gregg

Mr Ng

Ms Templeman

Dr Charlton

Mr Hill

Ms O’Neil

Ms Urquhart

Ms Chesters

Mr Holzberger

Ms Payne

Ms Watson-Brown

Mr Clare

Mr Husic

Ms Plibersek

Mr Watts

Ms Claydon

Ms Jarrett

Mr Rae

Ms Wells

Ms Clutterham

Ms Jordan-Baird

Dr Reid

Ms White

Ms Coffey

Ms Kearney

Mr Repacholi

Mr Wilkie

Ms Coker

Mr Keogh

Ms Rishworth

Ms Witty

Ms Collins

Mr Khalil

Ms Roberts

Mr Zappia

Ms Comer

Ms C King

NOES, 36

Ms Aldred*

Mr Conaghan

Mr McCormack

Mr Small

Mr Batt

Mr Hamilton

Mrs McIntosh

Mr Tehan

Ms Bell

Mr Hastie

Ms McKenzie

Mr Venning

Mr Birrell

Mr Hawke

Mr Ted O’Brien

Mr Violi

Mr Boyce

Mr Hogan

Mr L O’Brien

Mr Wallace

Mr Buchholz

Mr Joyce

Mr Pasin

Dr Webster

Mr Caldwell

Mr Kennedy

Ms Penfold

Mr Willcox

Mr Chaffey

Ms Landry*

Mr Pike

Mr R Wilson

Mr Chester

Mr Littleproud

Mr Rebello

Mr T Wilson

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.


- 5:51:23 PM

 15Order of the day returned to the House

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared the High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026 returned to the House for further consideration.


- 5:51:32 PM

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


- 5:51:45 PM

 16MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Bill 2025

Message No. 9430 March 2026, from the Senate was reported returning the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Bill 2025 with an amendment.


- 5:52:04 PM

Ordered—That the amendment be considered immediately.


- 5:52:20 PM

Mr Keogh (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) moved—That the amendment be agreed to.

Debate ensued.


Mr McCormack 5:53:29 PM.
- 5:56:21 PM

On the motion of Mr Keogh (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs), the amendment was agreed to, after debate.


- 5:56:35 PM

 17High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026

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 Gorman 5:56:46 PM.
- 6:00:57 PM

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


- 6:01:44 PM

Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.

On the motion of Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), the bill was read a third time.


- 6:02:24 PM

 18MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2026

Message No. 9831 March 2026, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, and for related purposes.

Bill read a first time.


- 6:02:59 PM

Document

Ms White (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) presented a revised explanatory memorandum to the bill.


- 6:03:04 PM

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


- 6:08:27 PM

Debate, by leave, ensuing—


- 6:08:32 PM

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 that:

(1)the Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have been unable to clearly quantify the scale of fraud within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);

(2)the NDIA Fraud Fusion Taskforce estimates that up to 10 per cent of NDIS claims are inappropriate, mischievous or outright criminal;

(3)the Government must do more to prevent the fraud and rorting that is rife within the NDIS;

(4)the changes in the bill will do little to remove bad actors from defrauding participants and taxpayers;

(5)the changes in the bill provide no direct regulation or fraud controls for the 94 per cent of NDIS providers who are not registered; and

(6)robust integrity systems are critical to not only protect taxpayer funds but also to protect NDIS participants from exploitation by unscrupulous providers”.

Debate ensued.


Mr Holzberger 6:20:21 PM. Dr M Ryan 6:35:23 PM. Ms France 6:49:04 PM. Mr T Wilson 7:02:03 PM. Ms T Cook 7:17:10 PM.
- 7:26:20 PM

Mr Pike addressing the House—


- 7:30:10 PM

 19ADJOURNMENT

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

Debate ensued.


Ms Watson-Brown 7:30:21 PM. Ms Briskey 7:35:25 PM. Ms Bell 7:40:10 PM. Ms Campbell 7:46:02 PM. Mr Birrell 7:51:11 PM. Ms Belyea 7:56:17 PM.
- 8:00:27 PM

The House continuing to sit until 8 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 9 am tomorrow.


- 8:00:42 PM

DOCUMENTS 

 The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 31 March 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk)

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024—Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Transitional Rules 2026 [F2026L00393]. 

Civil Aviation Act 1988—Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998— 

Part 141 operators using a sole instructor—Exemption Instrument 2026—CASA EX29/26 [F2026L00395].*  

Turbine Engine Continuing Airworthiness Requirements—AD/ENG/5 Amdt 10 [F2026L00328].  

Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984—Electoral and Referendum Regulations 2026 [F2026L00295]—Replacement explanatory statement. 

Corporations Act 2001—ASIC Corporations (Employee Entitlement Schemes) Instrument 2026/199 [F2026L00391]. 

Defence Act 1903—Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014—Woomera Prohibited Area (Exclusion Periods for Amber Zone 1 and Amber Zone 2 for 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026) Determination 2026 [F2026L00386]. 

Higher Education Support Act 2003—Higher Education Support (VET) Guidelines 2026 [F2026L00388]. 

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988—Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) (Rate of Interest—Permanent Impairment Compensation) Instrument 2026 [F2026L00377]. 

Social Security Act 1991—Social Security (Fares Allowance for Private Transport) Determination 2026 [F2026L00358]. 

Social Security (Administration) Act 1999—Social Security (Administration) (Queensland Commission—Family Responsibilities Commission) Instrument 2026 [F2026L00376]. 

Telecommunications Act 1997—Telecommunications (Customer Communications for Outages) Industry Standard Variation 2026 (No. 1) [F2026L00382]. 

 


- 8:00:44 PM

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr BurnsDr HainesMr KatterMrs PhillipsMs PriceMr ThistlethwaiteMr ThompsonMs ThwaitesMr J WilsonMr Wood and Mr Young.

* On leave