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.

Bills introduced to Parliament are scrutinised to make sure they meet certain standards and to consider whether they should be referred to a committee for further investigation. This can include feedback from stakeholders and the general public, and a report recommending potential improvements to the bill.

Current Parliament

99

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92

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TOTAL RESULTS: 141

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  • Defence Amendment (Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission) Bill 2025

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    27 Nov 2025 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    LAMBIE, Sen Jacqui 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to establish the Sexual Assault Prevention, Intervention and Response Commission as a statutory authority. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Trade Controls Amendment (Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity) Bill 2024

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    28 Nov 2024 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    THORPE, Sen Lidia
    PAYMAN, Sen Fatima 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Customs Act 1901
    and
    Defence Trade Controls Act 2012
    to ensure that Australia aligns with international obligations in relation to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically relating to the use of Australian made defence technology. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Digital ID Repeal Bill 2024

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    26 Jun 2024 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    ANTIC, Sen Alex
    BABET, Sen Ralph
    CANAVAN, Sen Matthew
    HANSON, Sen Pauline
    RENNICK, Sen Gerard
    ROBERTS, Sen Malcolm 
    Summary
    Repeals the
    Digital ID Act 2024
    and
    Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2024
    . Also makes consequential amendments to 6 Acts. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    30 Nov 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    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

  • Digital ID Bill 2024

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    30 Nov 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    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

  • Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight Bill 2024

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    10 May 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    FAWCETT, Sen David 
    Summary
    The bill: establishes the Defence Capability Assurance Agency as an statutory authority to conduct capability assurance of defence materiel programs and establish a qualified workforce to conduct test and evaluation and risk assessments for defence materiel programs; establishes the Inspector-General of Defence Capability Assurance to provide oversight of the Defence Department, the Defence Force and the Defence Capability Assurance Agency; and establishes the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence to provide oversight of the performance of the Defence Capability Assurance Agency and the Inspector-General and review and report on matters relating to the defence of Australia and defence agencies. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    29 Mar 2023 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    BRAGG, Sen Andrew 
    Summary
    Implements certain recommendations of the final report of the Senate Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre by: providing for a framework for digital asset exchanges, digital asset custody services and the issuing of stablecoins; requiring authorised deposit-taking institutions to comply with certain reporting requirements in relation to designated central bank digital currency; and providing for additional duties of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services in relation to the regulation of activities relating to digital assets and designated central bank digital currency. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    07 Dec 2020 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Before Senate 
    Sponsor
    STEELE-JOHN, Sen Jordon 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to require parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Designs Amendment (Advisory Council on Intellectual Property Response) Bill 2020

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    02 Dec 2020 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    Portfolio
    Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Designs Act 2003
    to: implement recommendations of the former Advisory Council on Intellectual Property review of the designs system by: providing designers a 12-month grace period to apply for design protection after publishing or using their design to protect designers from losing their rights through inadvertent disclosure; introducing an infringement exemption for prior use; streamlining the initial steps for registering a design; correcting an anomaly to the innocent infringer defence where infringement occurs between filing and registration; providing exclusive licensees with legal standing to take infringement action through the courts; and extending the power of the Registrar of Designs to make directions about the forms of documents to 'approved forms' for designs; and make minor technical amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Service Homes Amendment Bill 2019

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    19 Sep 2019 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    Portfolio
    Veterans’ Affairs 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Service Homes Act 1918
    to expand eligibility for the Defence Service Homes Insurance Scheme to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force who have at least one day of continuous full-time service, including reservists and peacekeepers. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Discrimination Free Schools Bill 2018

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    16 Oct 2018 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    DI NATALE, Sen Richard 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Sex Discrimination Act 1984
    to remove the exemption for religious educational institutions to discriminate against students and teachers on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital or relationship status or pregnancy; and
    Fair Work Act 2009
    to ensure that religious exemptions from anti-discrimination provisions do not extend to educational institutions. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Sovereign Naval Shipbuilding) Bill 2018

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    09 May 2018 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    PATRICK, Sen Rex 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to provide that the Commonwealth may only enter into an agreement with an entity for the building of certain vessels for use by the Royal Australian Navy if the vessel is to be constructed in Australia by an Australian shipbuilder. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Fair Pay for Members of the ADF) Bill 2017

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    16 Aug 2017 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LAMBIE, Sen Jacqui 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to link annual wage increases for members of the Australian Defence Force to whichever is the higher of increases in parliamentary allowance or the consumer price index. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (First Principles) Bill 2015

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    14 Oct 2015 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    Portfolio
    Defence 
    Summary
    Implements recommendations of the First Principles Review of Defence by: amending the
    Defence Act 1903
    to: give full command of the Australian Defence Force to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF); and consolidate the statutory treatment of the components of the Defence Force Cadets; amending 27 Acts to make consequential amendments; and repealing the
    Air Force Act 1923
    and
    Naval Defence Act 1910
    and incorporating relevant provisions of these Acts into the
    Defence Act 1903
    . 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2015

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    04 Mar 2015 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LUDLAM, Sen Scott 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Defence Act 1903
    to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force; and
    Air Force Act 1923
    and
    Naval Defence Act 1910
    to make consequential amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Military Justice Enhancements—Inspector-General ADF) Bill 2014

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    03 Dec 2014 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    Portfolio
    Defence 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to: strengthen and clarify the independence, powers and privileges of the Inspector-General ADF; provide a statutory basis to support regulatory change including the re-allocation of responsibility for investigation of service-related deaths and the management of the Australian Defence Force redress of grievance process to the Inspector-General ADF; and require the Inspector-General ADF to prepare an annual report. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Fair Pay for Members of the ADF) Bill 2014

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    02 Dec 2014 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LAMBIE, Sen Jacqui 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to link annual wage increases for members of the Australian Defence Force to whichever is the higher of increases in parliamentary allowance or the consumer price index. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2014

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    17 Jul 2014 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LUDLAM, Sen Scott 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Defence Act 1903
    to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force; and
    Air Force Act 1923
    and
    Naval Defence Act 1910
    to make consequential amendments. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    27 Mar 2014 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Act 
    Portfolio
    Defence 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Defence Act 1903
    to establish a framework for the administration of access to the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) by: enabling the minister to make the Woomera Prohibited Area Rules to prescribe certain matters, including defining the WPA and the zones to be demarcated within that area; creating a permit system for access and use by non-defence users; introducing offences and penalties for entering the WPA without permission and for failing to comply with a condition of a permit; providing for compensation for any acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms; providing for a cap on compensation payable in respect of loss or damage in the WPA; and validating any declaration or past act under the regulations; and Defence Force Regulations 1952 to update terminology in relation to compensation for acquisition of property. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    12 Dec 2013 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    FARRELL, Sen Don 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to establish a framework for the administration of access to the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) by: enabling the minister to make the Woomera Prohibited Area Rules to prescribe certain matters, including defining the WPA and the zones to be demarcated within that area; creating a permit system for access and use by non-defence users; introducing offences and penalties for entering the WPA without permission and for failing to comply with a condition of a permit; providing for compensation for any acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms; and providing for a cap on compensation payable in respect of loss or damage in the WPA. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Amendment (Fair Indexation) Bill 2010

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    18 Nov 2010 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    RONALDSON, Sen Michael 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973
    to index Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits scheme and Defence Force Retirement Benefits scheme superannuation pensions. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2010 [No. 2]

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    30 Sep 2010 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LUDLAM, Sen Scott 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Drink Container Recycling Bill 2010

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    30 Sep 2010 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    FIELDING, Sen Steve 
    Summary
    The bill: requires producers, distributors and industry groups to submit to the minister a beverage container stewardship plan to manage the collection and recycling of beverage containers; sets minimum recovery rates for containers; requires public consultation on draft plans; and provides for annual reporting. 

    Bill

  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Security of Defence Premises) Bill 2010

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    24 Jun 2010 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Portfolio
    Defence 
    Summary
    Amends the:
    Defence Act 1903
    to: provide that certain members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) may use reasonable and necessary force in the event of an attack on ADF premises; establish a statutory regime of search and seizure powers to operate at ADF premises; update and relocate the trespass offence and related arrest power; authorise the ADF to use overt optical surveillance to monitor the security of ADF premises; and require the disclosure of information captured by such devices to law enforcement agencies and public prosecution authorities; and
    Australian Federal Police Act 1979
    to make a consequential amendment. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

  • Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008 [No. 2]

    Track (What's this?)

    Date
    17 Sep 2008 
    Chamber
    Senate 
    Status
    Not Proceeding 
    Sponsor
    LUDLAM, Sen Scott 
    Summary
    Amends the
    Defence Act 1903
    to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Australian Defence Force. 

    Bill | Explanatory Memorandum

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