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Last updated: Tuesday, 10 February 2026 at 6:30 PMNo updates available
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Draft House Minutes

No. 37

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

- 12:00:09 PM

1The House met, at 12 noon, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

- 12:01:03 PM

2Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025—DEFERRED DIVISION

The order of the day having been read for the further consideration in detail of the bill—

- 12:01:15 PM

Bill, as a whole—

- 12:01:21 PM

The following question, on which a division had been called for and deferred in accordance with standing order 133, was put—

Question—That the Opposition amendment be agreed to (see item No. 15, Votes and Proceedings, 9 February 2026).

- 12:01:34 PM

Division 110

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—

AYES, 39

Ms Aldred	Mr Conaghan	Ms McKenzie	Mr Venning
Mr Batt	Mr Gee	Mr Pasin	Mr Violi
Ms Bell	Mr Hamilton	Ms Penfold	Mr Wallace
Mr Birrell	Mr Hastie	Mr Pike*	Dr Webster
Mr Boyce	Mr Hawke	Ms Price	Mr Willcox
Mr Buchholz	Mr Joyce	Mr Rebello	Mr R Wilson
Mr Caldwell	Ms Landry*	Mr Small	Mr T Wilson
Mr Chaffey	Mr Leeser	Ms Spender	Mr Wood
Ms Chaney	Mr McCormack	Mr Taylor	Mr Young
Mr Chester	Mrs McIntosh	Mr Thompson

NOES, 96

Mr Abdo	Mr Conroy	Mr Keogh	Ms Rowland
Mr Albanese	Ms K Cook	Mr Khalil	Ms J Ryan
Dr Aly	Ms T Cook	Ms C King	Dr M Ryan
Ms Ambihaipahar	Ms Doyle	Ms M M H King	Dr Scamps
Ms Belyea	Mr Dreyfus	Ms Lawrence	Ms Scrymgour
Ms Berry	Mrs Elliot	Mr Laxale	Ms Sitou
Ms Boele	Ms Fernando	Dr Leigh	Mr D Smith*
Mr Bowen	Ms France	Mr Lim	Mr M Smith
Ms Briskey	Dr Freelander	Ms McBain	Mr Soon
Mr Burke	Mr French	Ms McBride	Ms Stanley*
Mr Burnell	Dr Garland	Mr Marles	Ms Steggall
Mr Butler	Mr Georganas	Ms Mascarenhas	Ms Swanson
Ms Byrnes	Mr Giles	Ms Miller-Frost	Ms Teesdale
Ms Campbell	Mr Gorman	Mr Mitchell	Ms Templeman
Dr Chalmers	Mr Gosling	Mr Moncrieff	Mr Thistlethwaite
Dr Charlton	Mr Gregg	Dr Mulino	Ms Thwaites
Ms Chesters	Dr Haines	Mr Ng	Ms Urquhart
Mr Clare	Mr Hill	Ms O’Neil	Ms Watson-Brown
Ms Claydon	Mr Holzberger	Mrs Phillips	Mr Watts
Ms Clutterham	Mr Husic	Ms Plibersek	Ms Wells
Ms Coffey	Ms Jarrett	Mr Rae	Mr Wilkie
Ms Coker	Ms Jordan-Baird	Mr Repacholi	Mr J Wilson
Ms Collins	Mr Katter	Ms Rishworth	Ms Witty
Ms Comer	Ms Kearney	Ms Roberts	Mr Zappia

* Tellers

And so it was negatived.

- 12:09:12 PM

Bill agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

- 12:09:40 PM

On the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

- 12:10:06 PM

3Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

- 12:10:28 PM

Question—put.

- 12:10:37 PM

Division 111

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—

AYES, 97

Mr Abdo	Ms K Cook	Mr Khalil	Ms Rowland
Mr Albanese	Ms T Cook	Ms C King	Ms J Ryan
Dr Aly	Ms Doyle	Ms M M H King	Dr M Ryan
Ms Ambihaipahar	Mr Dreyfus	Ms Lawrence	Dr Scamps
Ms Belyea	Mrs Elliot	Mr Laxale	Ms Scrymgour
Ms Berry	Ms Fernando	Ms Le	Ms Sitou
Ms Boele	Ms France	Dr Leigh	Mr D Smith*
Mr Bowen	Dr Freelander	Mr Lim	Mr M Smith
Ms Briskey	Mr French	Ms McBain	Mr Soon
Mr Burke	Dr Garland	Ms McBride	Ms Spender
Mr Burnell	Mr Gee	Mr Marles	Ms Stanley*
Mr Butler	Mr Georganas	Ms Mascarenhas	Ms Steggall
Ms Byrnes	Mr Giles	Ms Miller-Frost	Ms Swanson
Ms Campbell	Mr Gorman	Mr Mitchell	Ms Teesdale
Dr Chalmers	Mr Gosling	Mr Moncrieff	Ms Templeman
Dr Charlton	Mr Gregg	Dr Mulino	Mr Thistlethwaite
Ms Chesters	Dr Haines	Mr Ng	Ms Thwaites
Mr Clare	Mr Hill	Ms O’Neil	Ms Urquhart
Ms Claydon	Mr Holzberger	Mrs Phillips	Mr Watts
Ms Clutterham	Mr Husic	Ms Plibersek	Ms Wells
Ms Coffey	Ms Jarrett	Mr Rae	Mr Wilkie
Ms Coker	Ms Jordan-Baird	Mr Repacholi	Mr J Wilson
Ms Collins	Ms Kearney	Ms Rishworth	Ms Witty
Ms Comer	Mr Keogh	Ms Roberts	Mr Zappia
Mr Conroy

NOES, 38

Ms Aldred	Mr Conaghan	Ms McKenzie	Mr Venning
Mr Batt	Mr Hamilton	Mr Pasin	Mr Violi
Ms Bell	Mr Hastie	Ms Penfold	Mr Wallace
Mr Birrell	Mr Hawke	Mr Pike*	Dr Webster
Mr Boyce	Mr Joyce	Ms Price	Mr Willcox
Mr Buchholz	Mr Kennedy	Mr Rebello	Mr R Wilson
Mr Caldwell	Ms Landry*	Mr Small	Mr T Wilson
Mr Chaffey	Mr Leeser	Mr Taylor	Mr Wood
Ms Chaney	Mr McCormack	Mr Thompson	Mr Young
Mr Chester	Mrs McIntosh

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

- 12:17:16 PM

—bill read a second time.

- 12:17:47 PM

Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.

On the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education), the bill was read a third time.

- 12:18:48 PM

4BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill:

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026;

National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026; and

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026.

- 12:18:54 PM

5Order of the day returned to the House

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared Federation Chamber order of the day No. 2, government business, relating to the death of the Honourable Nick Bolkus returned to the House for further consideration.

- 12:18:54 PM

Resumption of the debate was made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 12:19:16 PM

6Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Mr Wallace, 12:19:31 PM.

- 12:23:57 PM

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 12:24:17 PM

7National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Ms Price, 12:24:37 PM.

- 12:34:27 PM

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 12:34:42 PM

8Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Ms Bell, 12:34:53 PM.

- 12:50:14 PM

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 12:50:43 PM

9National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Ms Bell, 12:50:56 PM.

- 1:09:30 PM

Cognate debate with National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026.

Ms Campbell, 1:09:56 PM. Point of order, Mr Leeser. 1:10:56 PM. Point of order, Mr Mitchell. 1:11:20 PM. Ms Campbell, 1:11:41 PM.

- 1:25:06 PM

Mr T Wilson addressing the House—

- 1:30:03 PM

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr T Wilson was granted leave to continue his speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 1:30:12 PM

10MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Ms Watson-Brown, 1:30:15 PM. Ms Berry, 1:31:35 PM. Mr Hamilton, 1:33:04 PM. Ms Sitou, 1:34:37 PM. Mr Wilkie, 1:36:08 PM. Mr D Smith, 1:36:59 PM. Mr Hastie, 1:38:20 PM. Mr Gosling, 1:39:52 PM. Ms Penfold, 1:41:26 PM. Mr M Smith, 1:43:00 PM. Mr Kennedy, 1:44:32 PM. Ms Chesters, 1:46:06 PM. Dr Webster, 1:47:41 PM. Mr Repacholi, 1:49:11 PM. Mr Caldwell, 1:50:45 PM. Ms Fernando, 1:52:07 PM. Mr Willcox, 1:53:35 PM. Ms K Cook, 1:55:02 PM. Ms Ley, 1:56:32 PM. Mr French, 1:58:07 PM.

- 2:00:40 PM

11DEATH OF FORMER Senator (the Honourable Nick Bolkus)—CONDOLENCE MOTION

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 25 December 2025, of the Honourable Nick Bolkus, a former Minister and Senator for the State of South Australia from 1981 to 2005, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

- 2:00:47 PM

All Members present having risen, in silence—Motion agreed to.

- 2:00:58 PM

12QUESTIONS

- 2:01:02 PM

(1)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 2:03:04 PM

(2)Mr Watts to Ms Wells (Minister for Communications)

- 2:06:15 PM

(3)Ms Watson-Brown to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

Point of order, Ms Chaney. 2:08:07 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:08:56 PM.

- 2:15:13 PM

(4)Ms Scrymgour to Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services)

- 2:18:39 PM

Distinguished visitor announced.

- 2:19:19 PM

(5)Mr Ted O’Brien to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:23:12 PM

(6)Ms Teesdale to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:26:28 PM

(7)Ms Landry to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)

Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:27:57 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:29:07 PM.

- 2:30:41 PM

(8)Ms Sitou to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)

- 2:34:14 PM

(9)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 2:37:57 PM

(10)Ms Templeman to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)

- 2:41:23 PM

(11)Mr Boyce to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)

- 2:43:12 PM

(12)Ms Coker to Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors)

- 2:46:46 PM

(13)Ms Spender to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:48:58 PM

(14)Mr M Smith to Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs)

- 2:52:17 PM

(15)Mrs McIntosh to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 2:53:36 PM

(16)Ms Swanson to Ms McBain (Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories)

Point of order, Mr Hawke. 2:55:08 PM. Ms McBain, 2:55:49 PM.

- 2:58:49 PM

The Speaker made a statement reminding Members to use moderate and respectful language throughout the course of proceedings.

- 2:59:44 PM

13DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Administrative Review Council—Report for 2024-25.

Australian Signals Directorate—Commonwealth Cyber Security Posture in 2025—Report, November 2025.

Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018—Report on the operation of the scheme for 2024-25.

*High Speed Rail Authority—Report for 2024-25.

Independent National Security Legislation Monitor—Data disruption, network activity and account takeover powers—Review of Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021—Government response, November 2025.

Law Enforcement—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

COVID-19, criminal activity and law enforcement—Government response, November 2025.

Examination of the Australian Federal Police annual report 2015-16—Government response, November 2025.

Inquiry into crystal methamphetamine (ice)—First report and final report—Government response, November 2025.

Inquiry into financial related crime—Government response, November 2025.

National Anti-Corruption Commission—Report for 2024-25—Addendum.

Snowy Hydro Limited—Report for 2024-25—Correction.

*Workplace Gender Equality Agency—Report for 2024-25.

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

- 2:59:59 PM

14DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Migration

The House was informed that Mr Katter had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The urgent need for the government to immediately address the unsustainably high level of migration and its serious impact on the state of the nation, and to urgently implement a policy of ‘no migration without integration’”.

- 3:00:24 PM

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

- 3:00:26 PM

Mr Katter addressed the House.

- 3:10:29 PM

Discussion ensued.

Mr Hill, 3:10:31 PM. Point of order, Mr Katter. 3:15:24 PM. Mr Hill, 3:15:34 PM. Ms Sharkie, 3:21:24 PM. Ms J Ryan, 3:26:13 PM. Point of order, Ms Steggall. 3:31:40 PM. Ms Spender, 3:32:38 PM. Mr Abdo, 3:37:40 PM.

- 3:38:15 PM

Member directed to leave

At 3.38 pm the Member for Kennedy (Mr Katter) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given by the Chair and he accordingly left the Chamber.

- 3:38:24 PM

Discussion continued.

Mr Abdo, 3:38:24 PM. Ms Steggall, 3:42:42 PM. Ms Campbell, 3:47:47 PM. Ms Watson-Brown, 3:52:54 PM. Mr M Smith, 3:57:51 PM.

- 4:02:55 PM

Discussion concluded.

- 4:03:11 PM

15Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—REPORTS—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Zappia (Chair) presented the following documents:

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—

Eighty ninth annual report—Report, February 2026.

Referrals made in September and October 2025 (1st report of 2026)—Report, February 2026.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the reports were made Parliamentary Papers.

Mr Zappia, 4:03:33 PM. Mr Willcox, 4:14:46 PM.

- 4:18:41 PM

Mr Zappia and Mr Willcox, by leave, made statements in connection with the reports.

- 4:18:43 PM

Mr Zappia moved—That the House take note of the following document:

Eighty ninth annual report—Report, February 2026.

- 4:18:49 PM

In accordance with standing order 39, the debate was adjourned, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 4:18:56 PM

Mr Zappia moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

- 4:19:05 PM

Question—put and passed.

- 4:19:10 PM

16MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—ASSENT TO BILL

A message from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced informing the House that Her Excellency, in the name of His Majesty, had assented to the following bill:

9 February 2026—Message No. 47—Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment 2026.

- 4:19:29 PM

17National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

- 4:19:39 PM

Cognate debate with National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026.

Ms Coffey, 4:20:00 PM. Mr McCormack, 4:30:02 PM. Ms Berry, 4:45:08 PM. Ms Spender, 4:58:37 PM. Ms K Cook, 5:08:34 PM. Ms Chaney, 5:18:47 PM. Ms Scrymgour, 5:23:23 PM. Mr Katter, 5:38:13 PM. Ms Jarrett, 5:53:39 PM. Ms Price, 6:06:50 PM. Ms Claydon, 6:15:15 PM. Mr Joyce, 6:29:55 PM.