Week beginning 19 June 2023

This page provides an overview of the key events of the last sitting week in the House of Representatives. It includes all bills presented and debated, and selected statements, debates and committee business. For the official record of proceedings, see the Votes and Proceedings. For a detailed procedural account of events, see the Procedural Digest and House Review.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this web page may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

Key events

• Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023, passed by an absolute majority of each House of the Parliament (19 June). Section 128 of the Constitution details the manner by which the Constitution may be altered.
• Statement on a significant matter—Constable Anthony Woods (21 June)
• Statement on a significant matter—Alfred Neal OAM (22 June)
• The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition made statements, by indulgence, relating to Australian assistance with current bushfires in Canada (22 June)

Legislation

12 bills were presented, and 3 bills were passed by the House

Ministerial statement

Critical minerals strategy—Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia (22 June)

Matters of Public Importance

• Government Policies (20 June)
• Renewable energy (21 June)
• The Voice (22 June)

Committee and delegation business

Committee reports presented    

Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity

• Final report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (22 June)

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters

• Conduct of the 2022 federal election and other matters: Interim report (19 June)

Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

• The Defence Industry Security Program: Review of Auditor-General report 4 of 2021-22 (19 June)  

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

• Annual report 2022 (21 June)
• Human rights scrutiny report: Report 7 of 2023 (21 June)

Standing Committee on Petitions

• Report 11: Petitions and Ministerial responses (19 June)

Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee

• Report concerning an application from Mr Andrew Dettmer for the publication of a response to a reference made in the House of Representatives, June 2023 (22 June)

Selection Committee

• Report No. 14 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 19 June 2023 (21 June)

Government responses

Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities

• Government procurement: A sovereign security imperative (22 June)

Delegation report presented 

No delegation reports were presented 

Private Members' business

The following private members' bills were introduced on Monday, 19 June

• Broadcasting Services Amendment (Healthy Kids Advertising) 2023
• Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban on Gambling Advertisements) 2023

The following private members' motions were moved and debated on Monday, 19 June

• Artificial intelligence—Mr Hill (Bruce, Vic)
• Australian Space Agency—Mrs Andrews (McPherson, Qld)
• Energy generation—Mr T. O'Brien (Fairfax, Qld)
• Higher education—Dr Garland (Chisholm, Vic)
• Multicultural communities—Ms Le (Fowler, NSW)
• National Cultural Policy—Ms Templeman (Macquarie, NSW)
• Regional print media—Ms Sharkie (Mayo, SA)
• Support for veterans—Mr Wallace (Fisher, Qld)
• TAFE—Ms Fernando (Holt, Vic)

Debate resumed on the following private members' motions on Monday, 19 June

• Aged care sector—Ms Thwaites (Jagajaga, Vic)
• Community pharmacies—Mr Wallace (Fisher, Qld)
• Superannuation tax—Ms Bell (Moncrieff, Qld)
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day—Ms Stanley (Werriwa, NSW)