The last sitting week for the year featured: a motion of dissent, agreement to the program of sittings for 2026 and a sitting that extended over two days.
Motion of dissent
On 25 November, during the discussion on the matter of public importance, the Manager of Opposition Business moved a motion of dissent from the Chair’s ruling. The motion of dissent related to the Deputy Speaker’s ruling about referring to Members by their correct titles. After debate, the dissent motion was defeated, on division.
Sittings in 2026
On 26 November the Leader of the House presented the proposed parliamentary sittings for 2026. The Manager of Opposition Business had been in the process of moving an amendment when the Leader of the House moved closure of question. The amendment had not been seconded, nor the question stated, so the question on the amendment was not in the possession of the House. On division, the question was put and then the original question, that the proposed sittings be agreed, was agreed to on the voices.
Suspension of standing orders to extend the sitting
On 27 November, standing orders 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) and 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) were suspended. The Leader of the House explained that this was to enable the House to consider amendments to legislation made by the Senate. The House sat until 5.38 pm and was suspended until the ringing of the bells, at 9.07 am the following morning, when the amendments to various bills were considered. The House then adjourned at 9.45 am. For the purposes of the Votes and Proceedings, this is considered a single sitting day of the House.
Marking the death of former Senator
On 25 November, the Prime Minister moved a condolence motion in relation to the death of the Honourable Graham Frederick Richardson AO, Senator for New South Wales from 1983 to 1994 and a former Minister. The Leader of the Opposition seconded the motion. The motion was referred to the Federation Chamber, where several Members contributed to the debate, before it was returned to the House on 27 November. The motion was agreed to and all Members rose in their places as a mark of respect.
Divisions with six or fewer Members on a side
On 26 November, there were two occasions where a division was called for and after the doors were locked there were six or fewer Members on one side. On each occasion, the Speaker, in accordance with standing order 127, declared the decision of the House immediately without completing the count, and the names of the Members who were in the minority were recorded in the Votes and Proceedings (see items 5 and 25 of 26 November). This is the first occurrence of a division with six or fewer Members on one side since standing order 127 was amended at the start of the 48th Parliament. Previously, the standing order provided that the decision could be declared without completing the count if there were four or fewer Members on one side.
Legislation
Introductions
During the week, 13 bills were presented, including 12 government bills and one private Member’s bill.
Passing the House
Seven bills passed the House during the week.
Incorporation of speech in Hansard
On two occasions (25 and 27 November), during debate on government bills, a Member presented a copy of their speech for incorporation in Hansard. This was done in accordance with the resolution agreed to by the House on 6 November, which provides that a Member who is present in the House or Federation Chamber but unable to address it by reason of chronic illness or disability be permitted to present a copy of their speech for incorporation in Hansard.
Question Time
On 24 November, the Member for Ryan asked the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, the Member for Boothby, about a government response to a report of the committee from the 47th Parliament. The Speaker required that the question be rephrased, and the Member then directed the question to the responsible Minister. Under the standing orders, during Question Time a Member may ask a question to another Member, who is not a Minister, about a bill, motion or other business of the House or of a committee for which the Member asked is responsible.
Communication with the Senate
Eighteen messages were received from the Senate this week, with one message relating to committee membership and the others relating to legislation.
One message was received on 26 November, returning the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025 with amendments. A minister moved that the amendments be considered immediately. Following a division with six or fewer Members on one side, the amendments were considered and agreed by the House.
The remaining seventeen messages were reported when the House resumed on Friday, 28 November, following its suspension the night before. Two bills were returned with amendments. In each case, a Minister moved that the amendments be considered immediately and, following debate: amendments to the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 were agreed, on division; and amendments to the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025) were agreed on the voices. A further, 14 messages were returned relating to bills without amendments or requests, and one message reported a membership change to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
The House is scheduled to meet next on 3 February 2026.