This sitting period consisted of two sitting days, not scheduled in the sitting pattern, to enable the moving of a condolence motion relating to the Bondi terror attack and for the consideration of two government bills. The Federation Chamber did not meet.
Additional sittings to respond to Bondi terror attack
The House had been scheduled to meet for the first time this year on 3 February 2026. However, following the Bondi terror attack, the Prime Minister announced on 12 January that he would ask the Speaker to recall Parliament early. In accordance with standing order 30(c), the Acting Speaker set 19 January as the date for the next meeting of the House.
The House met at 9.30 am on Monday, 19 January. The Speaker acknowledged the presence of the victims’ family members and community leaders in the galleries.
The Leader of the House then moved to suspend standing orders to arrange business for 19 and 20 January. The motion provided for a condolence motion (see below) to be moved and debated on 19 January and the House to then stand adjourned until 20 January. The motion also provided for two government bills to be introduced on 20 January and set the arrangements for debate on the bills (see below). The motion provided for Question Time to take place on 20 January, for no business other than that specified in the motion to take place, and for the Federation Chamber not to meet. The motion was carried on the voices.
Condolence motion for victims of the Bondi antisemitic terror attack
In accordance with the resolution of the House, the Prime Minister moved that the House tender the nation’s condolences to families of the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach, condemn the attack and antisemitism, honour the first responders and those who intervened, and affirm the right of Jewish Australians to live in peace and safety. As a mark of respect, all Members present stood in silence.
The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition. A further 126 members spoke to the condolence motion. All members again rose in silence, the motion was agreed to and the House adjourned at 9.25 pm in accordance with the earlier resolution.
Parliamentary committees
On 20 January, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security report Review of the Exposure Draft Legislation: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 was presented, incorporating a dissenting report. The committee noted in its report that, following referral of the exposure draft to the committee, the government had decided to separate the proposed legislation into two bills—one on firearms and the other on hate crimes and migration—and not to proceed with the proposed racial vilification provisions.
Legislation
Two government bills were introduced and passed all stages on 20 January. This occurred in accordance with the resolution agreed the previous day to suspend standing orders to allow the bills to proceed through all stages without interruption, with specified finish times for the second reading debates.
The Minister for Home Affairs introduced the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 and made his second reading speech. Debate continued until 10.30 am when the Speaker put the question in accordance with the resolution. The second reading was agreed on division.
After the Speaker announced a message from the Governor-General recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill, the House then proceeded to consider the bill in detail. Three crossbench members moved detail amendments, all of which were negatived. The bill was agreed to and the question on the third reading was then immediately moved by the Minister and agreed on division.
The Attorney-General then introduced the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 and gave her second reading speech. Debate ensued before the question on the second reading was put at 1pm, and agreed on the voices. The House then considered the bill in detail. A number of opposition and crossbench amendments were negatived, and two government amendments were agreed. The bill, as amended, was agreed on division, and read a third time.
House suspends twice before adjourning the following morning
After the two government bills passed the House on Tuesday, 20 January, the House suspended at 1.57 pm, in accordance with the resolution, and resumed at 2.11 pm for Question Time.
The House suspended again at 3.30 pm and resumed at 8 am the following morning. After the Speaker reported messages from the Senate regarding the two bills (see below), three members were granted leave of absence for parental leave. As the House had resolved that no further business be considered, it adjourned at 8.12 am.
Communication with the Senate
Following passage by the House, the two government bills were transmitted to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate fully considered the bills that afternoon and evening, and made no amendments.
When the House resumed at 8 am the following morning, the Speaker reported messages from the Senate returning the bills without amendment.
The House is scheduled to meet next on 3 February 2026.