The sitting week featured: further consideration and passage of the appropriation bills, a division not proceeded with and a statement on the appointment of Commissioners of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
Appropriation bills
In March 2025, appropriation bills were presented but were not passed before the dissolution of the 47th Parliament. To facilitate the continuation of normal government and parliamentary activity for the first five months of the 2025-2026 financial year, three supply bills were passed. This is a common occurrence when an election interrupts the Budget cycle.
In the first sitting fortnight of the 48th Parliament, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 (the main appropriation bill), Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 were presented to the House. These bills provide appropriations for the remaining seven months of the financial year.
Suspension of standing orders to facilitate further consideration of the appropriation bills
On 7 October, the Leader of the House, pursuant to notice, moved to suspend standing orders to facilitate further consideration of the 2025-2026 appropriation bills. The motion provided that, when the main appropriation bill was called on, the questions were to be put without delay or debate on any amendments moved to the motion for the second reading and on the second reading. All the bills would then stand referred to the Federation Chamber. The motion also provided for the consideration of the schedule to the bill, with prescribed timing for consideration in detail for each portfolio (to occur on 7, 8 and 9 October) and timing for the completion of the remaining stages of the bills.
Statement by the Deputy Speaker in the Federation Chamber
Later that day, the Deputy Speaker made a statement in the Federation Chamber reminding Members of the purpose of the consideration in detail stage and the resolution agreed by the House. The Deputy Speaker also reminded advisers about the required conduct in the Federation Chamber galleries.
Further consideration
On 7, 8 and 9 October the bill was considered in detail, with the question on the proposed expenditure for each portfolio considered in accordance with the resolution. On 9 October, once expenditure for the final portfolio was considered, the remainder of the main appropriation bill was taken as a whole and agreed to, and the question that the bill be reported to the House without amendment was agreed. The remaining questions on the second reading and that the bill be reported to the House were put, in turn, on the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026.
In the House, the Deputy Speaker reported that the bills had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment. The bills were each agreed to by the House and read a third time. The bills will now be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.
Legislation
Introductions
During the week, 14 bills were presented. As the House did not sit on Monday, no private Members’ bills were introduced.
Attempted introduction of a non-government bill
On 9 October, the Shadow Attorney-General sought leave to move a motion. Leave was not granted. The Member then immediately moved to suspend standing and sessional orders to allow the Member to introduce a bill, without notice. Debate on the motion was adjourned on division.
Passing the House
Eight bills passed the House during the week, including the appropriation bills and the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025 which was introduced and passed this week. The second reading debate on this bill was shorter than expected as debate was closured (see below). Detail amendments to the bill were not agreed.
Divisions
The House divided on seven occasions this week.
There was also one occasion when a division was called for and not proceeded with. On 8 October, during the second reading debate on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025, an Opposition Member moved closure of question, and a division was called for. Before the doors were locked, the Leader of the House sought the call and indicated that the Government did not wish to proceed with the division. By leave, the division did not proceed. The closure motion was agreed to on the voices.
Parliamentary committees
On 8 October, the Shadow Minister for Communications moved to suspend standing and sessional orders to allow the Member to move a motion to appoint a select committee to inquire into and report on the health of the triple zero ecosystem. The motion was negatived on division.
On 9 October, in accordance with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 (PWSS Act), the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards (PJCPS) made a statement concerning the committee’s decision on the appointment of Commissioners of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC). By leave, the Chair presented a copy of the statement. Under the PWSS Act, the PJCPS must approve or reject proposed recommendations for the appointment of IPSC Commissioners and advise the minister. It must report its decision to both houses as soon as practical.
Statements by indulgence
Just before Question Time on 7 October, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition made statements by indulgence on the anniversary of the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas.
Following Question Time on 8 October, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition made statements by indulgence welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Lawrence Wong.
Before Question Time on 9 October, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition each made statements by indulgence congratulating Professor Richard Robson, joint winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Marking the death of a former Member
On 7 October, the Speaker informed the House of the death of James (Jim) Henry Snow, the Member for Eden-Monaro from 1983 to 1996. Following the announcement by the Speaker, Members rose in silence in their places as a mark of respect. Later in the week, during the adjournment debate in the Federation Chamber, the current Member for Eden-Monaro made remarks reflecting on the life of Mr Snow.
Question Time
Following Question Time on 7 October, an Opposition Member asked the Speaker about overdue questions in writing. The Speaker responded that he would write to the relevant ministers. Under the standing orders, if a reply to a written question has not been received 60 days after a question first appeared on the Notice Paper, at the conclusion of Question Time the Member may ask the Speaker to write to the Minister concerned seeking reasons for the delay.
Communication with the Senate
Only the House sat this week while Senate estimates committees held hearings into the 2025-26 supplementary budget estimates.
The House is scheduled to meet next on 27 October.