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TOTAL RESULTS: 144

  • Date
    06 Mar 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    SHOEBRIDGE, Sen David 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Governor-General Act 1974
    to cease the payment of allowances to a former Governor-General, or a spouse of a former Governor-General, where they have engaged in serious misconduct. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    08 Feb 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    ANTIC, Sen Alex 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Criminal Code Act 1995
    to introduce three new offences relating to the incitement of trespass, property damage or theft and unlawful obstruction of traffic in central business districts and other centres of significant business or cultural activity in Australia. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    08 Feb 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    STEELE-JOHN, Sen Jordon 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
    and
    Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984
    to: lower the minimum voting age in Australian federal elections and referenda from 18 to 16 years; provide for 16 and 17 year olds to be included in the certified list of voters (but not to be given a penalty notice if they do not vote); and provide that an eligible voter, who is not yet on the electoral roll or enrolled at their correct address, is able to cast a provisional vote on election day. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    08 Feb 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    CANAVAN, Sen Matthew
    ANTIC, Sen Alex
    RENNICK, Sen Gerard 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Fair Work Act 2009
    to add COVID-19 vaccination status as an attribute protected from discrimination. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Feb 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    NAMPIJINPA PRICE, Sen Jacinta 
    Summary
    Reinstates measures that previously applied under the
    Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act 2012
    which were aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm to vulnerable communities in the Northern Territory. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    FARUQI, Sen Mehreen 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Higher Education Support Act 2003
    ,
    Social Security Act 1991
    ,
    Student Assistance Act 1973
    ,
    Trade Support Loans Act 2014
    and
    VET Student Loans Act 2016
    to remove indexation on certain education and training loans; and
    Higher Education Support Act 2003
    ,
    Social Security Act 1991
    and
    Student Assistance Act 1973
    to: define 'median wage'; and raise the minimum repayment income and amend the percentage of income a person is liable to repay the Commonwealth for certain education and training loans. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    CANAVAN, Sen Matthew
    ANTIC, Sen Alex
    BABET, Sen Ralph 
    Summary
    The bill: clarifies that children born alive are persons; requires health practitioners to provide medical care, treatment and statistics on children born alive as a result of terminations; and provides that the mother of a child born alive is not liable to prosecution for an offence in respect of that child. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Portfolio
    Treasury 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Competition and Consumer Act 2010
    to establish action initiation reforms, enabling consumer data right (CDR) consumers to direct accredited persons to instruct on actions on their behalf, such as making a payment, opening and closing an account, switching providers and updating personal details, using the CDR framework. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    29 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON, Sen Pauline 
    Summary
    Prohibits discrimination based on a person's COVID-19 vaccination status by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, statutory authorities, local governments, and private enterprises. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    24 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    WATERS, Sen Larissa 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
    to: prohibit political donations from the fossil fuel industry, property developers, the tobacco industry, the banking industry, liquor and gambling businesses, pharmaceutical companies and representative organisations for these industries; impose a cumulative limit on political donations from any source of $3,000 per election term; and extend the definition of 'gift' to include subscription and membership fees, as well as attendance at fundraising events. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    22 Nov 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    STEELE-JOHN, Sen Jordon 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Customs Act 1901
    to prohibit the importation into Australia of goods that are produced in whole or in part by forced labour. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    28 Sep 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    CANAVAN, Sen Matthew
    ANTIC, Sen Alex
    CADELL, Sen Ross
    COLBECK, Sen Richard
    FAWCETT, Sen David
    PRICE, Sen Jacinta Nampijinpa
    O'SULLIVAN, Sen Matt
    RENNICK, Sen Gerard
    VAN, Sen David 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998
    to remove the prohibition on the construction or operation of certain nuclear installations; and
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    to remove the prohibition on the Minister for Environment and Water declaring, approving or considering actions relating to the construction or operation of certain nuclear installations. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    27 Sep 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    ALLMAN-PAYNE, Sen Penny 
    Summary
    Establishes the National Energy Transition Authority as a statutory authority to plan, coordinate and provide advice on the transition to renewable energy, focusing on the facilitation of new economic opportunities for workers and communities who are currently involved in fossil fuel production and associated industries. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Sep 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    LAMBIE, Sen Jacqui
    TYRRELL, Sen Tammy 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987
    to implement a recommendation of the interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to allow a royal commission, whose terms of reference require an examination of government, to analyse and draw inferences or conclusions from evidence that is subject to parliamentary privilege. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    05 Sep 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON-YOUNG, Sen Sarah 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    to: require actions that would emit between 25,000 to 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions in any one year to be assessed for approval under Part 9 of the Act; require the minister, when approving any such action or when considering whether to enter into a conservation agreement, to consider Australia’s national carbon budget and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; require the minister to reject the approval of actions that would emit over 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent scope 1 emissions; require the Climate Change Authority to develop a national carbon budget to 2050 and to annually assess the budget; prohibit the minister, subject to certain exceptions, from using alternative approval processes for certain emissions intensive actions; and introduce penalties for undertaking certain emissions intensive actions without approval if the action has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    04 Aug 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    WHISH-WILSON, Sen Peter 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
    to: cancel Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, and Petroleum Exploration Permit/T/49P (King Island, Tasmania); prevent any petroleum exploration leases for the Otway Basin/12 Apostles being granted; and prohibit any further petroleum exploration in the three areas. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    03 Aug 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    SMITH, Sen Dean 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
    and
    Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
    to enable age pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients to have their payment suspended for up to two years, instead of cancelled, if their income, which includes some income from the recipient's own employment, precludes payment; and provide for the same suspension period for partners of the age pension, disability support pension and certain veterans' entitlements recipients, where the partner is receiving a social security pension or certain veterans' entitlements;
    Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
    to make minor amendments to the existing suspension provisions for disability support pensioners; and
    Social Security Act 1991
    and
    Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
    to: provide that working age pensioners, disability support pensioners and certain veterans' entitlements recipients, and their pensioner partners, can retain their pensioner concession card for up to two years after their payment ceases; and increase to $600 the amount of income age pensioners and certain veterans' entitlement recipients can earn each fortnight while still receiving maximum pension payments and provide for a review, and sunsetting, of these amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    10 Feb 2022 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    ROBERTS, Sen Malcolm 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Fair Work Act 2009
    to require that labour hire workers covered by certain modern awards receive at least the same rate of pay as other employees performing the same work. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    01 Sep 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    FARUQI, Sen Mehreen 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958
    and
    Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
    to prohibit the export and import of greyhounds for racing, breeding and commercial purposes. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    31 Aug 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON-YOUNG, Sen Sarah 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    to: establish the Commonwealth Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to exercise the routine administrative regulatory functions currently undertaken by the Commonwealth in relation to the Act and other Commonwealth legislation relating to the environment and undertake certain functions relating to communities; establish an Office of Monitoring, Compliance, Enforcement and Assurance within the EPA; and establish the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Environment and Energy; and
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    and
    Water Act 2007
    to make consequential amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    25 Aug 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON-YOUNG, Sen Sarah 
    Summary
    Requires the Treasurer to establish a Live Performance Federal Insurance Guarantee Fund to underwrite insurance for the live performance industry to enable future live performance events. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    16 Jun 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    RICE, Sen Janet 
    Summary
    The bill: requires the Minister for Energy and Emission Reduction to table in each House of Parliament an annual statement outlining Australia's strategy on electric vehicles; and provides for the reference of matters to the Productivity Commission, including Australia’s support for the manufacture, purchase and use of electric vehicles. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    13 May 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    WATERS, Sen Larissa 
    Summary
    Amends the
    ]Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997
    to prohibit the Snowy Hydro Company and Snowy hydro-group companies from being involved in creating or investing in new fossil fuel-based electricity generation capacity. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    04 Feb 2021 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON-YOUNG, Sen Sarah 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    to: prevent the minister from approving an action which involves the clearing of koala habitat; and remove the exemption of regional forest agreements from requirements of the Act where there is, may, or is likely to have significant impacts on koalas. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    09 Dec 2020 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    MCKENZIE, Sen Bridget 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    and
    Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002
    to provide that forestry operations covered by a regional forest agreement are exempted from Part 3 of the
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    10 Feb 2020 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    HANSON, Sen Pauline 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Act 2008
    to require the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority to ensure that school education provides a balanced presentation of opposing views on political, historical and scientific issues; and
    Australian Education Act 2013
    to make financial assistance to a state or territory conditional on the state or territory having certain laws in force. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    12 Feb 2019 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    STEELE-JOHN, Sen Jordon 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Broadcasting Services Act 1992
    to: require national broadcasters, commercial television broadcasting licensees and subscription television licensees to provide a minimum number of hours of television audio description per week; and provide for the Australian Communications and Media Authority to enforce and review the new requirement. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    04 Mar 2015 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    WATERS, Sen Larissa 
    Summary
    The bill: provides that Australian landholders have the right to refuse the undertaking of gas and coal mining activities by corporations on their land without prior written authorisation; sets out the requirements of a prior written authorisation; provides for relief which a court may grant a land owner when prior written authorisation is not provided; prohibits hydraulic fracturing for coal seam gas, shale gas and tight gas by corporations; and provides for civil penalties. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    27 Mar 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts 
    Summary
    Introduced with the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Bill 2024, the bill amends the
    Clean Energy Regulator Act 2018
    and
    Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018
    to make amendments consequential on the establishment of the new vehicle efficiency standard. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    27 Mar 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts 
    Summary
    Introduced with the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2024, the bill establishes a vehicle efficiency standard to regulate the carbon dioxide emissions of certain road vehicles. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    27 Mar 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Special Minister of State 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017
    ,
    Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017
    and two related instruments to respond to certain recommendations of the
    Independent Review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017
    in relation to parliamentary business resources and special purpose aircraft travel;
    National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022
    to make consequential and technical amendments; and
    Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017
    and two other Acts to provide that members’ remuneration is payable on a fortnightly rather than monthly basis. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    21 Mar 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Health 
    Summary
    Amends the
    National Cancer Screening Register Act 2016
    to add lung cancer in the definition of ‘designated cancer’ and in the coverage of the National Cancer Screening Register. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    20 Mar 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Health and Aged Care 
    Summary
    Amends the
    National Health Act 1953
    and
    Health Insurance Act 1973
    to remove the requirement for a collaborative arrangement between an eligible nurse practitioner or eligible midwife and a medical practitioner to enable that midwife or practitioner to prescribe Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines or provide services under Medicare. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    28 Feb 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989
    to amend administrative processes in relation to governance and appointments; and
    Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997
    to make consequential and technical amendments. Also repeals the
    Rural Adjustment Act 1992
    and provides for the transfer of records and documents of the National Rural Advisory Council. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    15 Feb 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Employment and Workplace Relations 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Fair Work Act 2009
    to provide that contravening a Fair Work Commission order which deals with the employee right to disconnect would not expose a person to a criminal penalty. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    15 Feb 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Social Services 
    Summary
    Responds to the Federal Court decision in
    Commissioner of Taxation v Douglas
    [2020] FCAFC 220 by amending the
    Social Security Act 1991
    and
    Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
    to provide a clear legal basis for the assessment of income from certain military invalidity pensions. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Feb 2024 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Attorney-General 
    Summary
    Consequential on the Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2023 and Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Bill 2023, the bill amends 110 Acts to update certain references. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Feb 2024 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Finance 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997
    to remove certain limiting words from section 32B (which confers power on the Commonwealth to make, vary or administer an arrangement or grant) and section 39B (which confers power on the Commonwealth to form a company, participate in the formation of a company, acquire shares in a company or become a member of a company). Also makes consequential amendments to 7 Acts and contingent amendments to 2 Acts. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Dec 2023 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Attorney-General 
    Summary
    Introduced with the Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2023, the bill: abolishes the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by repealing the
    Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975
    ; and makes amendments to 138 Acts consequential on the establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    07 Dec 2023 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Competition and Consumer Act 2010
    ,
    Telecommunications Act 1997
    and
    Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards Act 1999
    to amend the operation of the statutory infrastructure provider regime;
    Telecommunications Act 1997
    to enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to issue remedial notices to developers who do not install functional fibre-ready facilities in proximity to a development;
    Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005
    to enable the disclosure by the ACMA of certain information;
    Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999
    to enable the minister to determine service areas that relate to a primary universal service provider; and
    Telecommunications Act 1997
    and
    Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999
    to make technical amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Nov 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Finance 
    Summary
    Introduced with the Digital ID Bill 2023, the bill makes consequential amendments to 6 Acts; and provides for transitional arrangements. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Nov 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Finance 
    Summary
    Introduced with the Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023, the bill: establishes an accreditation scheme for entities providing digital ID services; expands the Australian Government Digital ID System; and provides for privacy safeguards and a range of governance arrangements, including establishing the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as the Digital ID Regulator and expanding the role of the Information Commissioner to regulate privacy protections for digital IDs. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    16 Nov 2023 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Treasury 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Tax Agent Services Act 2009
    and
    Taxation Administration Act 1953
    : to expand the operation of the promoter penalty provisions; and enable the sharing of certain protected information;
    Taxation Administration Act 1953
    to extend whistleblower protections to eligible whistleblowers who make disclosures to the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB); and reverse the burden of proof for certain claims of protection;
    Tax Agent Services Act 2009
    in relation to the TPB Register and the TPB’s delegation powers; and
    Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987
    to limit the proportion of petroleum resource rent tax assessable income that can be offset by deductions to 90 per cent. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Date
    30 Mar 2023 
    Chamber
    House of Representatives 
    Status
    Passed Both Houses 
    Portfolio
    Attorney-General 
    Summary
    Proposes an alteration to the Constitution to recognise First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [
    The bill was passed by an absolute majority of each House of the Parliament. The proposal was not approved at the subsequent referendum on 14 October 2023
    .] 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

What is a bill?

A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A bill becomes law (an Act) when agreed to in identical form by both houses of Parliament and assented to by the Governor-General.