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Last updated: Wednesday, 1 April 2026 at 11:42 AMNo updates available
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Draft House Minutes

No. 53

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

- 9:00:06 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.


- 9:01:15 AM

 2Passing of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC—STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTERReference to Federation Chamber

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to the passing of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC.


- 9:05:11 AM

Mr Ted O’Brien addressed the House in reply.


- 9:07:51 AM

Ms Rowland moved—That further statements on the passing of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC be permitted in the Federation Chamber.


- 9:08:05 AM

Question—put and passed.


- 9:08:13 AM

 3SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS MOVED

Mr Gee moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member from Calare moving the following motion—That this House:

(1)notes that:

(a)all the major parties have let the residents and communities of Central Western New South Wales down with broken promises, empty announcements and funding cuts with respect to the Bells Line of Road and Great Western Highway;

(b)the people of the Central West see expressways and tunnels being built all over Sydney, the north coast and south coast, yet are told to make do with a bridge built by a convict chain gang in 1832 as their main access road in and out of Sydney; and

(c)the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway demonstrates that the people of the Central West are being short-changed and ripped off when it comes to the funding of a decent access road to Sydney; and

(2)calls on:

(a)the Australian and New South Wales governments to introduce a support package for businesses in the Central West being devastated by the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway; and

(b)the Australian Government to commit significant and substantial funding in the upcoming budget for improved road access between the Central West and Sydney.


Mr Katter 9:17:42 AM.
- 9:22:59 AM

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the debate be adjourned.


- 9:23:12 AM

Question—put.


- 9:23:16 AM

Division 145

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

AYES, 81

Mr Abdo

Ms T Cook

Mr Khalil

Dr Reid

Mr Albanese

Ms Doyle

Ms C King

Mr Repacholi

Ms Ambihaipahar

Mr Dreyfus

Ms Lawrence

Ms Roberts

Ms Belyea

Mrs Elliot

Mr Laxale

Ms Rowland

Ms Berry

Ms Fernando

Dr Leigh

Ms J Ryan

Ms Briskey

Ms France

Mr Lim

Ms Scrymgour

Mr Burke

Dr Freelander

Ms McBain

Ms Sitou

Mr Burnell

Mr French

Ms McBride

Mr D Smith*

Mr Butler

Dr Garland

Mr Marles

Mr M Smith

Ms Byrnes

Mr Georganas

Ms Mascarenhas

Mr Soon

Ms Campbell

Mr Giles

Ms Miller-Frost

Ms Swanson

Ms Chesters

Mr Gorman

Mr Mitchell

Ms Teesdale

Mr Clare

Mr Gregg

Mr Moncrieff

Ms Templeman

Ms Claydon

Mr Hill

Dr Mulino

Mr Thistlethwaite

Ms Clutterham

Mr Holzberger

Mr Neumann

Ms Urquhart*

Ms Coffey

Mr Husic

Mr Ng

Mr Watts

Ms Coker

Ms Jarrett

Ms O’Neil

Ms White

Ms Collins

Ms Jordan-Baird

Ms Payne

Mr J Wilson

Ms Comer

Ms Kearney

Ms Plibersek

Ms Witty

Mr Conroy

Mr Keogh

Mr Rae

Mr Zappia

Ms K Cook

NOES, 16

Ms Boele

Mr Kennedy

Ms Penfold

Ms Steggall

Ms Chaney

Mr McCormack

Dr Scamps

Ms Watson-Brown

Mr Gee*

Mr L O’Brien

Ms Sharkie

Mr Wilkie

Mr Katter

Mr Pasin

Ms Spender*

Mr R Wilson

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.


- 9:34:30 AM

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


- 9:34:31 AM

 4MESSAGES 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:


- 9:34:31 AM

26 March 2026—Message No. 63


- 9:34:31 AM

27 March 2026—Message No. 64


- 9:34:40 AM

 5MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 31 March 2026, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 99Copyright Amendment Bill 2026.

No. 100Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026.

No. 101Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026.


- 9:35:04 AM

 6BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill:

Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026; and 

Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026.


- 9:35:39 AM

 7SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS MOVED

Ms Penfold moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:

(1)the Member for Lyne presenting a Bill for an Act to establish a commission of inquiry into the behaviour, practices and performance of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and for related purposes;

(2)debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and

(3)any questions required to complete passage of the bill then being put without delay.


Mr Pasin 9:45:12 AM.
- 9:50:24 AM

Debate ensued.


Mr Burke 9:50:25 AM.
- 10:00:45 AM

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


- 10:01:09 AM

Question—put.


- 10:01:14 AM

Division 146

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

AYES, 41

Ms Aldred*

Mr Gee

Mr Ted O’Brien

Mr Taylor

Mr Batt

Mr Hawke

Mr L O’Brien

Mr Tehan

Ms Bell

Mr Hogan

Mr Pasin

Mr Venning

Mr Birrell

Mr Joyce

Ms Penfold

Mr Violi

Ms Boele

Mr Kennedy

Mr Pike

Mr Wallace

Mr Boyce

Ms Landry*

Mr Rebello

Dr Webster

Mr Buchholz

Mr Littleproud

Dr M Ryan

Mr Willcox

Mr Caldwell

Mr McCormack

Dr Scamps

Mr R Wilson

Mr Chaffey

Mrs McIntosh

Mr Small

Mr T Wilson

Mr Chester

Ms McKenzie

Ms Steggall

Mr Wood

Mr Conaghan

NOES, 88

Mr Abdo

Ms K Cook

Mr Khalil

Mr Repacholi

Mr Albanese

Ms T Cook

Ms C King

Ms Rishworth

Ms Ambihaipahar

Ms Doyle

Ms M M H King

Ms Roberts

Ms Belyea

Mr Dreyfus

Ms Lawrence

Ms Rowland

Ms Berry

Mrs Elliot

Mr Laxale

Ms J Ryan

Mr Bowen

Ms Fernando

Dr Leigh

Ms Scrymgour

Ms Briskey

Ms France

Mr Lim

Ms Sitou

Mr Burke

Dr Freelander

Ms McBain

Mr D Smith*

Mr Burnell

Mr French

Ms McBride

Mr M Smith

Mr Burns

Dr Garland

Mr Marles

Mr Soon

Mr Butler

Mr Georganas

Ms Mascarenhas

Ms Swanson

Ms Byrnes

Mr Giles

Ms Miller-Frost

Ms Teesdale

Ms Campbell

Mr Gorman

Mr Mitchell

Ms Templeman

Dr Charlton

Mr Gosling

Mr Moncrieff

Mr Thistlethwaite

Ms Chesters

Mr Gregg

Dr Mulino

Ms Urquhart*

Mr Clare

Mr Hill

Mr Neumann

Ms Watson-Brown

Ms Clutterham

Mr Holzberger

Mr Ng

Mr Watts

Ms Coffey

Mr Husic

Ms O’Neil

Ms Wells

Ms Coker

Ms Jarrett

Ms Payne

Ms White

Ms Collins

Ms Jordan-Baird

Ms Plibersek

Mr J Wilson

Ms Comer

Ms Kearney

Mr Rae

Ms Witty

Mr Conroy

Mr Keogh

Dr Reid

Mr Zappia

* Tellers

And so it was negatived.


- 10:12:59 AM

 8Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026

Mr Burke (Minister for the Arts), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide support for Australian creators and publishers of books available in Australian public and educational lending libraries, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Burke presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:13:31 AM

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


- 10:17:00 AM

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


- 10:17:24 AM

 9Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026

Mr Burke (Minister for the Arts), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Burke presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:18:05 AM

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


- 10:19:14 AM

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


- 10:19:41 AM

 10NOTICE CALLED ON

Ordered—That notice No. 6, government business, be called on immediately.


- 10:20:20 AM

 11Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation in relation to secrecy provisions, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:20:47 AM

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


- 10:29:15 AM

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


- 10:29:30 AM

 12Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:29:58 AM

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


- 10:31:24 AM

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


- 10:31:53 AM

 13Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026

Mr Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to defence, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Keogh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:32:18 AM

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


- 10:45:25 AM

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


- 10:45:48 AM

 14Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Leigh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 10:46:11 AM

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


- 11:04:12 AM

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


- 11:04:40 AM

 15Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish a framework to protect aviation consumers and to establish an independent Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to this bill and the Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026.

Bill read a first time.


- 11:05:24 AM

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


- 11:15:12 AM

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


- 11:15:32 AM

 16Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) presented a Bill for an Act to impose levy on regulated entities under the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 11:16:04 AM

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


- 11:17:10 AM

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


- 11:17:23 AM

 17Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the collection of levy imposed on regulated entities under the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.


- 11:17:49 AM

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


- 11:18:48 AM

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


- 11:19:11 AM

 18Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Bill read a first time.


- 11:19:48 AM

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


- 11:20:29 AM

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


- 11:20:49 AM

 19Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) 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 Hastie 11:21:09 AM.
- 11:27:22 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr RaeMinister for Aged Care and Seniors), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.


- 11:27:51 AM

 20Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) 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 Hogan 11:28:12 AM.
- 11:33:10 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr RaeMinister for Aged Care and Seniors), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.


- 11:34:05 AM

 21Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), by leave, movedThat, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948, Mr Violi be discharged as a trustee serving on the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust, and that Mr Caldwell be appointed a trustee to serve on the Trust.


- 11:34:14 AM

Question—put and passed.


- 11:34:25 AM

 22Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated Member to be participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for the purpose of the committee’s inquiry into the 2025 federal election.

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), by leave, moved—That Mr Burnell be appointed a participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for the purpose of the committee’s inquiry into the 2025 federal election.

Question—put and passed.


- 11:35:06 AM

 23Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Zappia (Chair) presented the following document:

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing CommitteeReferral made in September 2025 (2nd report of 2026)Report, March 2026.

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


- 11:35:28 AM

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


- 11:37:50 AM

 24Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Chesters (Chair) presented the following document:

Treaties—Joint Standing CommitteeReport 232: Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty)Report, April 2026.

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


- 11:38:15 AM

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


- 11:41:36 AM

 25National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) 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—And on the amendment moved thereto by Mrs McIntosh, 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 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 resumed.


Mr Pike 11:42:07 AM.