The sitting fortnight featured: debate on a disallowance motion moved by a private Member, the resumption of debate on a private Member’s bill and the presentation of an order of the High Court of Australia relating to an election petition.
Disallowance motion
Certain legislative instruments are subject to disallowance. Within 15 sitting days of a disallowable instrument being tabled, any Member may give notice of a motion to disallow it. If the motion has not been withdrawn or otherwise considered by the House within 15 sitting days of the notice, the instrument is taken to be disallowed and ceases to have effect at that time.
Given disallowance will occur unless a notice is called on and dealt with within the specified time, the general practice is for the government to move that standing orders be suspended to permit a private Member’s motion to be moved and debated during government business time.
On 26 August, during government business time, the Leader of the House’s motion to suspend standing and sessional orders was agreed. This allowed a private Member’s motion relating to the disallowance of certain regulations made under the Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 to be called on immediately. The private Member then moved the disallowance motion. Debate ensued and the motion was defeated on division.
Legislation
Introductions
During the fortnight, 18 bills were presented, including five bills introduced by private Members.
Resumption of debate on a private Member’s bill
On 25 August and 1 September, during the period for private Members’ business, debate resumed on the question for the second reading of the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025. The bill was introduced by the Member for New England on 28 July.
The allocation of time for the resumption of the debate on a private Members’ bill, in a subsequent period within the time allocated for private Members’ business, is determined by the Selection Committee. In the last two Parliaments, debate resumed on the second reading of private Members’ bills on three occasions—two bills in the 46th Parliament and one bill in the 47th Parliament.
Election petition remitted to the Federal Court of Australia
After prayers on 4 September, the Clerk presented a copy of the order made by the High Court of Australia sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, regarding the election of a member of the House of Representatives for the Division of Bradfield. Among other matters, the order remits the election petition to the Federal Court of Australia.
The validity of any election or return may be disputed by petition addressed to the High Court acting as the Court of Disputed Returns. A person whose election has been challenged continues to serve pending the outcome of the hearing. It has been the practice for the Clerk to present copies of election petitions, orders and related documents for the information of the House. In this case, a copy of the election petition was presented by the Clerk to the House on 22 July.
Parliamentary committees
In the first sitting fortnight of the 48th Parliament, the House agreed to amend standing order 215 so that each House general purpose standing committee would consist of 10 members (six government Members, three opposition Members and one crossbench Member). On 26 August, the House agreed to a motion to amend standing order 215 to alter the composition of two standing committees—the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water; and the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability. These two committees will now each comprise of six government Members, two opposition Members and two crossbench Members. Accordingly, on 27 August, an additional crossbench Member was appointed to each committee.
Also on 26 August, the House agreed to amend the resolution of appointment for the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission and send a message to the Seante for its concurrence. The Senate considered the message and concurred with the resolution later that day. As joint committees are established by a resolution of appointment of both the House and the Senate, any amendments to the resolution must also be agreed by both houses.
Statements by indulgence
Just before Question Time on 28 August, the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and the Member for Indi each made statements by indulgence relating to the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart. Following the statements, the Speaker asked that all Members rise in their places as a mark of respect.
Throughout the fortnight, statements by indulgence were also made during Question Time regarding visitors in the galleries including—2025 Australian of the Year, Mr Neale Daniher AO (26 August); US Congressman Jason Smith (28 August); parents of children who have experienced social media harms (2 September); and the retiring Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw (4 September).
Marking the deaths of a former Member and a former Senator
On 25 August, the Speaker informed the House of the deaths of Graeme Campbell, the Member for Kalgoorlie from 1980 to 1998, and John Odin Wentworth Watson AM, a Senator for Tasmania from 1977 to 2008. Following the announcement by the Speaker, Members rose in silence as a mark of respect.
National Youth Parliament
On 25 August, the Speaker informed the House about the launch of the National Youth Parliament, to be held at Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy in 2026.
Question Time
During Question Time on 27 August, the Prime Minister was granted an extension of time to continue his response. Under the standing orders, after the maximum time for a speech has expired, any Member may move (without notice) that the Member’s time be extended. The standing orders provide that the motion must be resolved without debate, and a Member can continue for a period of up to 10 minutes (however, the extension may not exceed half of the original period allotted).
Communication with the Senate
Message traffic with the Senate this fortnight related to the passage of legislation (including amendments and requested amendments to bills) and committee membership.
The House is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, 7 October 2025.