The sitting fortnight featured: an address by the Prime Minister of Canada, the resignation of a Member and changes to a sessional order.
Amendment to sessional order
On 2 March, the Leader of the House moved, by leave, to amend sessional order 65A, which provides speaking opportunities for crossbench Members in proportion to the size of the crossbench within the non-government membership of the House. The motion was agreed on the voices.
The sessional order was previously amended on 3 February, in response to members from the Nationals party having departed the Opposition and joined the crossbench. They rejoined the Opposition on 8 February. The latest amendment restores speaking opportunities for crossbench members to similar levels as those put in place at the beginning of the 48th Parliament.
Revised shadow ministry list
At the start of Question Time on 2 March, the Leader of the Opposition presented a revised shadow ministry list reflecting changes announced on 17 February. As is standard practice, the list was incorporated in the Hansard for that day.
Resignation of Member and by-election for the division of Farrer
On 27 February, the Member for Farrer submitted a letter of resignation to the Speaker. Under section 37 of the Constitution, the resignation takes effect and the seat becomes vacant as soon as the letter has been received. On 2 March the Speaker informed the House that he had received the Member’s letter and that consideration was being given to possible dates for the by-election.
When a vacancy occurs in the House, it is the Speaker’s responsibility to issue a writ for the election of a new Member. On 5 March the Speaker informed the House that it was his intention to issue a writ on 1 April for the election of a Member for Farrer. The by-election is to be held on 9 May, with the writ to be returned on or before 10 July.
Address by Prime Minister of Canada
On Thursday, 5 March, in accordance with a resolution agreed on 3 March, the House met at the later time of 10.32 am. After the acknowledgement of country and prayers, the Speaker welcomed the President of the Senate and Senators as guests before inviting the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, to the floor. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition made welcoming remarks, and Prime Minister Carney then gave his address. The Speaker expressed thanks on behalf of the House and Prime Minister Carney was escorted from the House. The sitting of the House was suspended until the ringing of the bells and the Federation Chamber did not meet that day, as provided for by the resolution.
Marking the death of a former Senator
On 3 March, the Speaker informed the House of the death of the Honourable Ronald (Ron) Leslie Doyle Boswell AO, a Senator for Queensland from 1983 to 2014. Following the announcement by the Speaker, Members rose in silence as a mark of respect.
Legislation
Introductions
Nine Government bills were presented during the fortnight. This included the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 which was introduced by leave on 10 March. Leave was granted for the second reading to continue immediately and, after a short debate, the bill was read a second time, with one Member dissenting. The following morning, the bill was considered in detail. Crossbench Members moved a number of amendments, all of which were negatived. One amendment was ruled out of order because it required the appropriation of revenue. This reflects the constitutional principle that only the government may initiate or move to increase appropriations or taxes. The bill was agreed to on division and read a third time. It passed the Senate without amendment the following day.
Three private Members’ bills were introduced during the fortnight. These related to gambling, agricultural land and public appointments.
Passing the House
Nine bills passed the House during the fortnight, including three superannuation bills.
Parliamentary committees
Committees continued their work during the fortnight with meetings, public hearings and presentation of reports. The House was advised of Opposition nominations to House and Joint committees, and agreed to appoint and discharge those Members accordingly.
The Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025 passed the Senate on 4 March, having passed the House on 5 November 2025. The bill amends the Defence Act 1903 to establish a new joint committee, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence, to have general oversight of Australian defence agencies (other than defence intelligence agencies). The new committee is modelled on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and will be authorised to receive classified information.
Also on 4 March, the Chair of the House Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests presented a report recommending that a citizen’s response to the remarks made about him in the Federation Chamber on 27 October 2025 be incorporated in Hansard, in accordance with the House’s resolution of 27 August 1997 establishing a citizen’s right of reply.
Communication with the Senate
Message traffic this fortnight related to the passage of legislation (without amendments or requests) and changes to Opposition committee membership.
The House is scheduled to meet next on 23 March.