1The Federation Chamber met at 10.30 am.

 2MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

 3Human rights in Iran

Mr Ng, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)notes that:

(a)the human rights situation in Iran remains of grave concern, including reports of the Iranian regime engaging in repression, violence against protestors, arbitrary arrests and communications blackouts;

(b)many members of the Iranian Australian community are deeply distressed by the actions of the Iranian regime; and

(c)the Australian Government condemns the actions of the Iranian regime and affirms Australia’s support for the people of Iran in their struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights;

(2)recognises that:

(a)the Australian Government has taken strong action to hold those responsible for human rights abuses in Iran to account, including targeted sanctions on more than 200 Iranian individuals and entities and more than 100 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) linked individuals and entities, as well as listing the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism;

(b)the Australian Government’s most recent sanctions target senior officials and entities linked to the IRGC complicit in oppressing the Iranian people, violently suppressing domestic protests, and threatening lives both inside and outside Iran; and

(c)Australia has taken significant diplomatic steps, including:

(i)the expulsion of the Iranian Ambassador; and

(ii)leadership in international efforts to hold Iran accountable through the United Nations; and

(3)affirms its:

(a)solidarity with the people of Iran; and

(b)ongoing commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and democratic freedoms.

 4Economy

Ms Spender, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)notes that the:

(a)Consumer Price Index rose 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to December 2025, up from a 3.4 per cent rise in the 12 months to November 2025;

(b)Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) warned last year that the Australian economy could not sustainably grow faster than 2 per cent without running into inflationary pressure;

(c)RBA has downgraded Australia’s medium term productivity growth forecasts to just 0.7 per cent, per year; and

(d)Government undertook an economic reform roundtable with progress made on areas including nuisance tariffs and environmental approvals; and

(2)calls on the Government to:

(a)introduce stronger impact assessments, scrutiny and executive accountability for identifying and discontinuing costly and ineffective regulation;

(b)rein-in Government spending, reinstate fiscal rules, reform the Charter of Budget Honesty and make ministers and departments more accountable for blowouts in budget measures;

(c)identify how technology and artificial intelligence can support better provision of public services and government effectiveness; and

(d)recalibrate Australia’s patchwork of climate and industry policies to a framework that transitions the economy at the lowest cost.

 5Education system

Ms J Ryan, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)acknowledges the start of the 2026 school year and the Government’s record investment in Australian public schools through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement;

(2)notes that this agreement represents the largest Commonwealth investment in public schools by any Australian Government ever and is tied to important reforms to lift student outcomes;

(3)recognises the importance of teachers and the steps the Government is taking to tackle the teacher shortage;

(4)further notes that new data shows more Australians are choosing to study teaching, supported by important measures to help more people start and finish teaching degrees including through:

(a)Commonwealth Paid Prac for teaching students;

(b)Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships; and

(c)reforms to strengthen teacher training;

(5)further acknowledges the national effort being undertaken with states and territories to prevent and respond to bullying in schools; and

(6)affirms that the Government continues to invest in schools, support teachers, and is committed to building a better and fairer education system.

 6Small business 

Mr T Wilson, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)condemns the Government for presiding over the insolvency of 41,749 small businesses since being elected;

(2)notes that:

(a)2025 was the worst calendar year for business insolvencies since records began in 1999, with more than 14,649 businesses collapsing; and

(b)this Prime Minister now has the worst record of any Prime Minister for business insolvencies with an average of 2,938 businesses going under each quarter;

(3)further condemns the Government for its failure to recognise the scale of the small business crisis and its lack of urgency in responding to record insolvencies;

(4)acknowledges that behind every insolvency statistic is a family, an employee and a local community bearing the cost of the Government’s policy failures; and

(5)calls on the Minister for Small Business to urgently review the Government’s policy settings that are focused on increasing costs, complexity and uncertainty for small and family businesses.

 7Australia Day Awards

Mr Hogan, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)acknowledges:

(a)the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our country or humanity at large; and

(b)community members recognised through Australia Day 2026 Local Citizen of the Year awards; and

(2)congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2026.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.31 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.