The sitting fortnight featured: changes to crossbench speaking opportunities and committee memberships, introduction of the additional appropriation bills and condemnation of the attempted bombing in Perth.
Amendment to sessional order
On 3 February, the Leader of the House moved to suspend standing orders to amend sessional order 65A, which provides speaking opportunities for crossbench Members in proportion to the size of the crossbench within the non government membership of the House. The suspension motion was agreed with an absolute majority. The Leader then moved the amendment providing that crossbench members seeking the call be given priority for more questions in Question Time, and more speaking opportunities during Members’ statements, Members’ constituency statements, and grievance and adjournment debates.
The Manager of Opposition Business moved amendments to the proposed amendment, seeking to amend standing order 97 to provide that Question Time not end until at least eight questions had been asked by opposition Members. These were negatived on division. The original amendment was then agreed on the voices.
The sessional order was amended in response to recent party changes, with Nationals’ parliamentary party members leaving the Opposition on 22 January. During the sitting fortnight, Nationals Members formed part of the crossbench until 8 February, when they rejoined the Opposition.
Attempted bombing condemned
On 3 February, the House agreed to suspend standing and sessional orders to allow the Member for Curtin to move a motion condemning the attempted bombing in Perth on 26 January. Debate ensued and the motion was agreed to.
Just before Question Time on 5 February, the Prime Minister made a statement on indulgence, informing the House that a man had been charged in relation to the attack. The Leader of the Opposition made a statement by indulgence associating the Opposition with the Prime Minister’s remarks. Later that day, the Member for Perth also made statement by indulgence on the attack.
Marking the deaths of a former Member, a former Senator and a member of staff
This fortnight, the House marked the passing of a former Member, a former Senator and a long-serving staff member. The Speaker informed the house of the death of Dr Katrina (Katie) Allen, a former Member for Higgins. The Prime Minister moved a condolence motion in relation to the death of the Hon Nick Bolkus, a former minister and Senator for South Australia. The Leader of the Opposition seconded the motion and it was referred to the Federation Chamber for further speeches. Condolence motions are usually moved following the death of a sitting member or senator, or former members or senators who held certain offices. The death of a former senator or member is generally marked with a statement by the Speaker without a motion being moved.
The Speaker, Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition made statements on the death of parliamentary attendant Ljupco (Luch) Jonceski. Further statements were made in the Federation Chamber.
Legislation
Introductions
During the fortnight, 13 Government bills were presented. This included three additional appropriation bills, which were introduced on 5 February. The bills propose additional appropriations from consolidated revenue for expenditure relating to government decisions made since the 2025 26 Budget. Two private Members’ bills were introduced, both related to protecting the Australian National Flag and other flags.
Passing the House
Eighteen bills passed the House during the fortnight. These included bills establishing the Australian Tertiary Education Commission and the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission.
Ministerial statement
On 12 February, the Prime Minister made a statement on the 18th anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and the Closing the Gap annual report and implementation plan. The Leader of the Opposition spoke in reply, and the motion to take note of the annual report and implementation plan was referred to the Federation Chamber for further debate.
Parliamentary committees
For some committees, the standing order or resolution of appointment, or the legislation establishing the committee, specifies the number of opposition Members on the committee.
The Speaker informed the House on 3 February that due to recent party changes (described above), some Nationals Members (and the Member for New England, now a One Nation member) were no longer members of certain committees. The Speaker further informed the House that the Member for Wide Bay had resigned from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement.
On 9 February, the Speaker informed the House that he had received advice from the Chief Opposition Whip, nominating Nationals Members to be members of certain committees. The Leader of the House moved that the Members be so appointed, and the motion was agreed on the voices.
Communication with the Senate
One message was received from the Senate on 5 February, returning the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 with amendments. A minister moved that the amendments be considered immediately. The amendments were considered and agreed by the House. On 9 February, a Senate message (dated the previous week) reported a change in joint committee membership.
Only the House sat in the week commencing 9 February, while Senate estimates committees held hearings into the 2025 2026 additional budget estimates.
The House is scheduled to meet next on 2 March 2026.