Ministerial responses
The committee works to conclude its assessment of bills while they are still before the Parliament, and its assessment of legislative instruments within the timeframe for disallowance (usually 15 sitting days). This approach seeks to ensure that the committee's reports on the human rights compatibility of legislation are available to inform the debates of the Parliament.
The committee therefore sets its reporting date for specific items of legislation taking into account the need to report in advance of the passage of legislation, particularly where the passage of that legislation might be expedited due to urgency or other reasons.
Where the committee seeks a response from legislation proponents (usually the minister), it will specify a due date. Responses received by the requested date can be taken into account and published alongside the committee's concluding report on an item of legislation. Legislation proponents should therefore ensure that responses are provided by the dates requested.
The table below sets out the bills and legislative instruments for which the committee has requested a response and the response has either not yet been received or has been received but the committee has not yet finally reported on it.
Bills or legislative instruments listed in red indicate that the response is overdue. On an exceptional basis, extensions are occasionally granted. Responses marked with an * indicate an extension has been granted.
All ministerial and other responses are published alongside the scrutiny report after tabling.
| Bill |
Minister |
Committee comment |
Response due |
Response received |
| Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 |
Health and Aged Care |
Report 4 of 2025 |
10 September 2025 |
|
| Appropriation Bills 2025-2026 |
Finance |
Report 4 of 2025
|
10 September 2025 |
10 September 2025 |
| Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 |
Home Affairs |
Report 4 of 2025 |
12 September 2025 |
3 September 2025 |
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025
|
Home Affairs |
Report 4 of 2025 |
*28 November 2025 |
|
| Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2025 |
Home Affairs |
Report 4 of 2025 |
*12 September 2025 |
19 September 2025 |
| Biosecurity (Entry Requirements) Determination 2025 |
Health, Disability and Ageing |
Report 4 of 2025
|
10 September 2025
|
10 September 2025 |