No. 11
- 9:00:15 AM
1The House met, at 9 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.
- 9:01:25 AM
2Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025
Ms Wells (Minister for Communications), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Telecommunications Act 1997, and for related purposes.
Document
Ms Wells presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.
Bill read a first time.
- 9:01:49 AM
Ms Wells moved—That the bill be now read a second time.
- 9:10:23 AM
Debate adjourned (Dr Webster), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 9:10:41 AM
3Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025
Mr Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Defence Act 1903, and for related purposes.
Document
Mr Keogh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.
Bill read a first time.
- 9:11:12 AM
Mr Keogh moved—That the bill be now read a second time.
- 9:25:32 AM
Debate adjourned (Dr Webster), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 9:25:51 AM
4CUSTOMS TARIFF PROPOSAL
Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs) moved Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2025.
- 9:27:31 AM
Debate adjourned (Dr Webster), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 9:27:51 AM
5National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) 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—And on the amendment moved thereto by Mrs McIntosh, viz.—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1)notes with concern the Government’s continuing delays in implementing the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment review; and
(2)condemns the Prime Minister’s failure to secure a meeting with the President of the United States to advance Australia’s interests in relation to possible pharmaceutical tariffs and other issues”—
Debate resumed.
Mr Butler, 9:28:19 AM.
- 9:28:19 AM
Document
Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing) presented a replacement explanatory memorandum to the bill.
- 9:32:12 AM
Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.
- 9:32:18 AM
Division 9
The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—
AYES, 43
Ms Aldred | Mr Hastie | Mr Pasin | Mr Thompson |
Mr Batt | Mr Hawke | Ms Penfold | Mr Venning |
Ms Bell | Mr Hogan | Mr Pike* | Mr Violi |
Mr Birrell | Mr Joyce | Ms Price | Mr Wallace |
Mr Boyce | Mr Kennedy | Mr Rebello | Dr Webster |
Mr Buchholz | Ms Landry* | Dr M Ryan | Mr Willcox |
Mr Caldwell | Mr Leeser | Dr Scamps | Mr R Wilson |
Mr Chaffey | Mr McCormack | Mr Small | Mr T Wilson |
Ms Chaney | Mrs McIntosh | Ms Spender | Mr Wood |
Mr Chester | Ms McKenzie | Mr Taylor | Mr Young |
Mr Conaghan | Mr L O’Brien | Mr Tehan |
NOES, 90
Mr Abdo | Ms Comer | Ms C King | Ms Roberts |
Mr Albanese | Mr Conroy | Ms M M H King | Ms J Ryan |
Dr Aly | Ms K Cook | Ms Lawrence | Ms Scrymgour |
Ms Ambihaipahar | Ms T Cook | Mr Laxale | Ms Sitou |
Ms Belyea | Ms Doyle | Dr Leigh | Mr D Smith* |
Ms Berry | Mr Dreyfus | Mr Lim | Mr M Smith |
Ms Boele | Mrs Elliot | Ms McBain | Mr Soon |
Mr Bowen | Ms France | Ms McBride | Ms Stanley* |
Ms Briskey | Dr Freelander | Ms Mascarenhas | Ms Steggall |
Mr Burnell | Mr French | Ms Miller-Frost | Ms Teesdale |
Mr Burns | Mr Georganas | Mr Mitchell | Ms Templeman |
Mr Butler | Mr Giles | Mr Moncrieff | Mr Thistlethwaite |
Ms Byrnes | Mr Gosling | Dr Mulino | Ms Thwaites |
Ms Campbell | Mr Gregg | Mr Neumann | Ms Urquhart |
Dr Chalmers | Dr Haines | Mr Ng | Ms Watson-Brown |
Dr Charlton | Mr Hill | Ms O’Neil | Mr Watts |
Ms Chesters | Mr Holzberger | Ms Payne | Ms Wells |
Mr Clare | Mr Husic | Mrs Phillips | Ms White |
Ms Claydon | Ms Jarrett | Ms Plibersek | Mr Wilkie |
Ms Clutterham | Ms Jordan-Baird | Mr Rae | Mr J Wilson |
Ms Coffey | Ms Kearney | Mr Repacholi | Ms Witty |
Ms Coker | Mr Keogh | Ms Rishworth | Mr Zappia |
Ms Collins | Mr Khalil |
* Tellers
And so it was negatived.
- 9:41:55 AM
Question—That the bill be now read a second time—put and passed—bill read a second time.
- 9:42:29 AM
Message from the Governor-General
Message No. 9, 20 July 2025, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.
- 9:42:51 AM
Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.
On the motion of Mr Butler, the bill was read a third time.
- 9:43:16 AM
6Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders 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—
Debate resumed.
Ms Penfold, 9:43:29 AM. Mr Neumann, 9:57:39 AM. Mr McCormack, 10:10:14 AM. Mr M Smith, 10:25:20 AM. Mr Gregg, 10:34:44 AM.
- 10:46:57 AM
Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.
- 10:47:46 AM
Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.
On the motion of Mr Thistlethwaite (Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade), the bill was read a third time.
- 10:48:06 AM
7POSTPONEMENT OF ORDER OF THE DAY
Ordered—That order of the day No. 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
- 10:48:31 AM
8Housing Australia Act 2018—Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT
In accordance with the resolution agreed to on 27 August 2025—
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence)—That the House take note of the document (presented on 27 August 2025), viz.—
Housing Australia Act 2018—Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025—
Debate resumed.
Ms Berry, 10:48:46 AM. Ms Sharkie, 10:57:26 AM. Mr Khalil, 11:07:15 AM. Mr Rebello, 11:16:09 AM. Ms J Ryan, 11:25:10 AM. Ms Watson-Brown, 11:33:01 AM. Mr M Smith, 11:40:30 AM. Mr T Wilson, 11:46:29 AM. Ms Jordan-Baird, 11:56:36 AM.
- 12:05:04 PM
Debate adjourned (Ms M M H King—Minister for Northern Australia), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.
- 12:05:27 PM
9Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility—MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER
Ms M M H King (Minister for Northern Australia), by leave, made a ministerial statement relating to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, and presented the following document:
- 12:05:48 PM
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility—Statement by the Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King MP, 28 August 2025.
- 12:15:30 PM
Mr Littleproud (Leader of The Nationals) addressed the House in reply.
- 12:23:31 PM
Ms M M H King moved—That the House take note of the document.
- 12:23:59 PM
Debate adjourned (Ms Bell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 12:24:24 PM
Ms M M H King, by leave, moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
- 12:24:51 PM
10Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—MEMBERSHIP
The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated Ms Lawrence to be a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works in place of Mr Burns.
Ms McBride (Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health), by leave, moved—That Mr Burns be discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that, in his place, Ms Lawrence be appointed a member of the committee.
- 12:25:30 PM
11Housing Australia Act 2018—Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT
In accordance with the resolution agreed to on 27 August 2025—
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence) (see item No. 8, page XX)—
Debate resumed.
Ms Aldred, 12:25:30 PM. Ms Clutterham, 12:35:57 PM. Mr Violi, 12:45:42 PM. Mr Abdo, 12:55:53 PM. Mr Caldwell, 1:04:49 PM. Mr Neumann, 1:15:05 PM.
- 1:25:15 PM
Mr McCormack addressing the House—
- 1:29:59 PM
It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr McCormack 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.
- 1:30:10 PM
12MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS
Members’ statements were made.
Ms Price, 1:30:16 PM. Ms Mascarenhas, 1:31:41 PM. Mr Thompson, 1:33:12 PM. Ms Berry, 1:34:40 PM. Dr Haines, 1:36:11 PM. Ms Miller-Frost, 1:37:40 PM. Mr Birrell, 1:39:10 PM. Mr Abdo, 1:40:40 PM. Mr Venning, 1:42:09 PM. Ms Clutterham, 1:43:41 PM. Mr Violi, 1:45:14 PM. Ms Jordan-Baird, 1:46:50 PM. Mr Wallace, 1:48:22 PM. Ms Briskey, 1:49:57 PM. Mr Caldwell, 1:51:24 PM. Mr Gosling, 1:53:04 PM. Dr Webster, 1:54:41 PM. Mr Laxale, 1:56:15 PM. Mr T Wilson, 1:57:42 PM.
- 1:59:25 PM
Mr T Wilson sought leave to table documents. Leave not granted.
Mr Burnell, 1:59:33 PM.
- 2:00:57 PM
13Deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart—STATEMENTS
Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement in relation to the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart.
Ms Ley, 2:06:03 PM. Dr Haines, 2:10:13 PM.
- 2:14:19 PM
Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition) and Dr Haines, by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.
- 2:14:19 PM
As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, all Members present stood, in silence.
- 2:15:00 PM
Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement welcoming United States Congressman Jason Smith.
- 2:17:12 PM
Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition), by indulgence, made a statement on the same matter.
- 2:18:31 PM
- 2:18:35 PM
(1)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
Point of order, Ms Ley. 2:20:44 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:21:17 PM. Point of order, Ms Ley. 2:22:39 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:23:22 PM.
- 2:24:24 PM
(2)Ms K Cook to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 2:27:07 PM
(3)Mr Tehan to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)
Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:29:27 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:30:13 PM.
- 2:31:10 PM
(4)Dr Freelander to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)
- 2:34:27 PM
Distinguished visitor announced.
- 2:35:00 PM
(5)Ms Chaney to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 2:37:39 PM
(6)Ms Ambihaipahar to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)
- 2:40:55 PM
(7)Mr Taylor to Mr Marles (Deputy Prime Minister)
Point of order, Mr Taylor. 2:43:59 PM. Mr Marles, 2:44:25 PM. Point of order, Mr Hawke. 2:44:52 PM. Point of order, Mr Burke. 2:45:10 PM. Mr Marles, 2:45:56 PM.
- 2:47:05 PM
Member directed to leave
At 2.47 pm the Member for O’Connor (Mr R Wilson) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.
- 2:47:05 PM
Questions without notice continued.
- 2:47:48 PM
(8)Mr Abdo to Ms O’Neil (Minister for Housing)
- 2:50:53 PM
(9)Mr Hogan to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
Point of order, Mr Hawke. 2:53:20 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:54:04 PM.
- 2:55:42 PM
(10)Ms Urquhart to Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government)
- 2:58:56 PM
(11)Ms Bell to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
Point of order, Mr Tehan. 3:02:22 PM. Mr Albanese, 3:02:57 PM.
- 3:04:01 PM
(12)Mr French to Mr Conroy (Minister for Defence Industry)
- 3:07:33 PM
(13)Mr Gee to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:10:23 PM
15DOCUMENT
The following document was presented:
Defence Act 1903—Independent review of Part IIIAAA of the Act—Final report, 20 December 2024.
- 3:10:43 PM
16DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Government spending
The House was informed that Mr Ted O’Brien (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The impact of the Government’s spending spree on Australian households”.
- 3:11:02 PM
The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—
- 3:11:04 PM
Mr Ted O’Brien addressed the House.
Dr Leigh, 3:21:14 PM. Point of order, Mr Conaghan. 3:22:09 PM. Dr Leigh, 3:22:41 PM. Mr Conaghan, 3:31:17 PM. Mr M Smith, 3:36:18 PM. Mr T Wilson, 3:41:08 PM.
- 3:46:35 PM
Documents
Mr T Wilson, by leave, presented the following documents:
Australian LGBTIQ+ politicians were hit with vile online abuse at the last federal election. The coming campaign could be even worse—The Conversation—Elise Stephenson, Blair Williams, Gosia Mikolajczak and Jack Hayes, posted 19 February 2025.
‘Risky visibility’: the online harassment of queer politicians—European Journal of Politics and Gender—Research article by Elise Stephenson, Blair Williams, Gosia Mikolajczak and Jack Hayes, 10 February 2025.
Text message to Tim Wilson MP, 29 April 2025.
Ms Teesdale, 3:46:42 PM. Mr Caldwell, 3:51:43 PM. Ms Jarrett, 3:56:49 PM. Mr McCormack, 4:01:35 PM. Ms Witty, 4:06:36 PM.
- 4:12:16 PM
18Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER
Mr Wallace (Deputy Chair) presented the following document:
Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025—Report, 27 August 2025.
In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.
- 4:12:35 PM
Mr Wallace, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.
- 4:14:23 PM
19Housing Australia Act 2018—Housing Australia Investment Mandate Amendment (Delivering on Our 2025 Election Commitment) Direction 2025—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT
In accordance with the resolution agreed to on 27 August 2025—
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence) (see item No. 8, page XX)—
Debate resumed.
Mr McCormack, 4:14:44 PM. Ms Mascarenhas, 4:19:49 PM.
- 4:29:50 PM
20ADJOURNMENT
It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Mr Wilkie, 4:30:00 PM. Dr Freelander, 4:35:10 PM. Mr Chaffey, 4:40:16 PM. Mr Georganas, 4:45:23 PM. Mr Pike, 4:50:41 PM. Ms Clutterham, 4:55:47 PM.
- 5:00:38 PM
The House continuing to sit until 5 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 10 am on Monday, 1 September 2025.
- 5:00:42 PM
DOCUMENTS
The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 28 August 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):
A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999—A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) (Simplified Accounting Methods—Government Entities Selling Food in Prisons and Detention Institutions) Determination 2025 [F2025L00997].
Australian Education Act 2013—Australian Education Amendment (2025 Capital Funding Indexation) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00986].
Biosecurity Act 2015—Biosecurity Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00995].
Corporations Act 2001—ASIC Corporations (Repeal) Instrument 2025/522 [F2025L00993].
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—List of Exempt Native Specimens Amendment (Queensland Commercial Crayfish and Rock Lobster Fishery) Instrument, August 2025 [F2025L01001].
Lands Acquisition Act 1989—Statement under section 125—August 2025.
Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986—
Amendment Statement of Principles concerning sensorineural hearing loss (Balance of Probabilities)—No. 76 of 2025 [F2025L00978].
Amendment Statement of Principles concerning sensorineural hearing loss (Reasonable Hypothesis)—No. 75 of 2025 [F2025L00977].
- 5:00:44 PM
ATTENDANCE
All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Ms Fernando, Dr Garland, Mr Hamilton, Mr Katter and Ms Swanson.
* On leave