Sitting week beginning Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Sitting week beginning Tuesday, 12 May 2026 — 1st House sitting week of the 48th Parliament’s 2026 Winter sittings.

This page summarises matters expected to be considered by the House of Representatives and its Federation Chamber. It is updated weekly during sittings. For a full report of the business dealt with, including a list of documents presented, go to the Votes and Proceedings. To read the debates, including question time, go to Hansard.

For details about the proposed program of business for each sitting of the House and that sitting’s public hearings of House and joint committees go to the House Daily Program (usually available at least 1 hour before the House is scheduled to meet).

This week the House and Federation Chamber are expected to sit on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in a pattern similar to that described in the Infosheet 'A typical sitting day'. 

For details about House and Federation Chamber standard hours see the order of business diagram at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Chamber_documents/HoR/Order_of_Business.

Real time tracking of business done by the House and the Federation Chamber

You can track each item of business as it is being done in the House Chamber by using the “LiveMinutes” service.

You can see proceedings of the House Chamber via the webcasts at Watch, Read, Listen – Parliament of Australia.

Legislation

For information on how laws are made go to Making laws, for the text of each bill go to Bills and Legislation after the Bill is introduced.

Government bills are expected to be introduced into the House this week. These bills will be listed on the House Daily Program and the text of each bill will be available on ParlInfo after they are introduced.

Details of bills to be introduced are not available prior to their introduction.

In the House during the week it is planned to resume debate on the following Government bills already introduced (note – these plans may change as the week unfolds, especially if some of the bills listed below are referred to the Federation Chamber by the House):

Tuesday

• Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026
• Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026
• Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026
• Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026
• Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026
• Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026

Wednesday

• Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026
• Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026
• Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025
• Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026

Thursday

• Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026
• Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026

In the Federation Chamber debate on Government business matters and committee and delegation reports occurs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Debate may be resumed on matters previously referred or items may be referred during the week.

• See also: Infosheet 7 - Making laws

Committee and delegation reports and statements and private Members' motions

The House is not sitting on Monday.

Auditor-General’s reports

2025-26 reports of the Auditor-General may be presented after question time.

• Audit Reports on Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) website

Matters of Public Importance

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after question time, in accordance with the House's standing orders, it is possible for the House to discuss a matter of public importance (MPI). If an MPI is proposed by a Member, and is in order, the subject of the MPI will be announced shortly after midday on each of these days and published on the House's Website. If more than one MPI is proposed the Speaker will decide which MPI is the most urgent and important to be submitted to the House that day.

• See also: Infosheet 2 – A typical sitting day

Grievance debate

In accordance with standing orders Grievance Debate is held on sitting Tuesdays in the Federation Chamber. At no later than 6.30 pm debate is resumed on the question ‘That grievances be noted’ and debate ensues for one hour. Debate on the question is practically unlimited in scope, giving Members the opportunity, in 10 minute speeches, to raise matters in which they have a particular interest or to discuss complaints of constituents.

• Order of business diagrams

Petitions

This week Members' may present petitions during the time reserved for Members' Statements in the House and the Federation Chamber, during the time reserved for Members’ constituency statements in the Federation Chamber and during the Adjournment Debates of the House and the Federation Chamber.

For more details about petitioning the House of Representatives see the petitions webpage.

For details about House and Federation Chamber debate times see the order of business diagram.

See also:

• Petitioning the House of Representatives
• Standing Committee on Petitions
• House and Federation Chamber debate times (order of business diagrams)