Australia's Parliament House in 2023: a Chronology

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Introduction

Parliament House, which was officially opened in May 1988, is the home of the Parliament of Australia. It is located on a 32-hectare site on Capital Hill in Canberra.

In 2013 the Parliamentary Library published a chronology of events, Australia’s Parliament House—More Than 25 Years in the Making!, in recognition of the building’s 25th anniversary. In May 2018 and May 2023, the chronology was updated and reissued to mark the 30th (The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House) and 35th anniversaries of Parliament House (The 35th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House). The Library has also published chronologies to cover non‑anniversary years, commencing in 2014.[1] This chronology continues the story.

The Chronology has been compiled from published sources. Appendix 1 lists notable legislation passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in 2023.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication contains names of people who are deceased.

Milestones	Details

6 February	Death of Senator Jim Molan Following Senator Jim Molan’s (Lib, NSW) death on 16 January, the Senate and the House of Representatives move condolence motions.[2] Senator Molan was twice chosen to fill vacancies in the Senate. Prior to entering politics, Senator Molan served a 40-year military career and rose to Major General.
6 February	Matter of privilege not referred The Speaker finds no prima facie evidence to refer Scott Morrison (Lib, Cook, NSW) to the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests for deliberately misleading the House.[3] Adam Bandt (AG, Melbourne, Vic) asked the Speaker to consider if the Bell inquiry report and Mr Morrison’s statement raised a matter of privilege.[4]
7 February	Visit by New Zealand Prime Minister New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) participate in a joint press conference. This is Hipkins’ first international visit since being appointed Prime Minister.[5]
8 February	Visit by Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) welcomes the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, to Parliament as a guest of Government.[6]
14 to 16 February	Visit by Prime Minister of Vanuatu Prime Minister of Vanuatu Ishmael Kalsakau meets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) for bilateral talks.
17 February	Suspicious package leads to partial evacuation At approximately 12:45 pm, ACT Policing receive a call about a suspicious package at Parliament House. The matter is resolved without incident.[7]
8 March	National Apology to the Stolen Generations The Senate acknowledges the 15th anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s (ALP, Griffith, Qld) National Apology to the Stolen Generations on 13 February 2008.[8]
8 March	Unveiling of Lyons and Tangney statues A commemorative sculpture of Dame Enid Lyons and Dame Dorothy Tangney is unveiled in the National Triangle (Parliamentary Triangle). It is the first statue of Australian women displayed in this iconic area.[9]
8 March	Australian flag at Parliament House The Presiding Officers release a joint statement about the ‘unacceptable condition’ of the Australian flag flying above Parliament House. Usually the flag is changed every 4 weeks, however poor weather conditions and scheduled maintenance had caused delays.[10] On 11 March, industrial climbers complete an 8-hour climb to replace the flag.[11]
21 March	Condolence motion for John Williams Sattler The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion for former rugby league great John Sattler, who died on 20 March.[12]
22 March	Visit by Prime Minister of Samoa Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) participate in bilateral talks.[13]
23 March	Voice referendum wording announced The Government announces the wording of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum question: ’A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’[14]
28 March	House attendant injured during a division A House attendant is injured as seven MPs try to exit the chamber as the doors are being locked during a division. The following day, the Speaker notes he ‘will not tolerate’ this behaviour and the MPs involved apologise.[15]
28–29 March	Senate sits until 4:14 am The Senate stays back well into the next morning debating the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022. The Senate adjourns at 4:14 am and resumes less than five hours later at 9:00 am.[16]
30 March	Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 introduced The Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus (ALP, Isaacs, Vic) introduces the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023.[17]
1 April	Aston by-election ALP candidate, Mary Doyle, wins the Aston by-election, caused by Alan Tudge’s (Lib, Aston, Vic) resignation.[18] It is the first time in more than a century that a government has won a seat from the opposition at a by-election.[19]
5 April	Liberal Party to oppose Voice Referendum Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (Lib, Dickson, Qld), announces the Liberal Party position in opposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.[20] The Nationals announced their opposition to the proposal on 28 November 2022.[21]
11 April	Julian Leeser resigns from frontbench Following the Liberal Party’s decision to oppose an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser (Lib, Berowra, NSW) resigns from the Liberal frontbench.[22]
17 April	Evacuation in Parliament House The Senate side of Parliament House is evacuated due to smoke detected in some press gallery offices.[23]
18 April	Coalition Shadow Ministry Changes Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton (Lib, Dickson, Qld), announces a Shadow Ministry reshuffle, following Julian Leeser’s (Lib, Berowra, NSW) resignation from the shadow frontbench. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (Nats, NT) becomes Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator Michaelia Cash (LP, WA) becomes Shadow Attorney-General. [24]
6–7 May	Parliament House celebrates King Charles III and the Queen Consort Coronation Australia’s Federation Guard conducts a 21-gun salute on the Parliament House Forecourt on 7 May, and Parliament House is lit with Royal purple.[25]
8 May	Parliament House celebrates 35th anniversary A new exhibition, ‘Turning the Key: Opening Australia’s Parliament House’, marks 35 years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Australia’s permanent Parliament House.[26]
9 May	Address of Congratulation to King Charles III The Prime Minister presents an Address of Congratulation to His Majesty King Charles III.[27]
9 May	Condolence motion for John Kerin The House of Representatives and the Senate move condolence motions for former Member John Kerin (ALP, Macarthur/Werriwa, NSW) who died on 28 March. Kerin was a former Cabinet Minister and Minister for Primary Industries for much of the 1980s.
9 May	Student protest Approximately 150 students protest outside of Parliament House before the Federal Budget.[28]
9 May	2023 Budget The Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers (ALP, Rankin, Qld), delivers the 2023 Budget, his second.[29] The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton (Lib, Dickson, Qld) gives his budget reply speech two days later on 11 May.[30]
10 May	Condolence motions moved The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion to Indigenous leader and land rights advocate Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Allan Gyngell, John Olsen, Barry Humphries, and Robert Maguire.
10 May	Regional budget statement The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King (ALP, Ballarat, Vic), makes a ministerial statement regarding rural and regional budget outcomes.[31]
11 May	Mary Doyle’s first speech Mary Doyle (ALP, Aston, Vic) delivers her first speech in the House of Representatives.[32] She is the first woman to represent Aston and the first MP sworn-in pledging allegiance to King Charles III and his heirs.
11 May	Question Time extended Question time runs longer than usual in the House of Representatives, with 30 questions asked over 1 hour and 53 minutes.[33]
12 May	Joint Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum Advisory Report The Joint Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum delivers its Advisory Report on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023. The report recommends that ‘the [Bill] be passed unamended’.[34]
18 May	Stuart Robert resigns Stuart Robert (Lib, Fadden, Qld) announces his resignation from parliament, triggering a by-election in Fadden.[35] Mr Robert was a Minister in various portfolios, including Human Services, Government Services, and Assistant Treasurer.
22 May	Condolence motions for Tony Staley Condolence motions in the House of Representatives and the Senate pay tribute to former Minister Tony Staley (Lib, Chisholm, Vic), who died on 3 May.
23 May	Ministry changes The Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry.[36]
25 May	Condolence motion for Frank McGovern The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion for Frank McGovern, who died on 24 May.[37] McGovern was the last surviving crew member of HMAS Perth, which was sunk at the Battle of Sunda Strait in 1942.[38]
26 May to 3 June	National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags fly at Parliament House to mark National Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June).[39] Parliament House is illuminated with artwork inspired by Central Australia on 29–31 May, special ‘Yeribee’ Indigenous Experience tours are run, and there is a stargazing event on the forecourt.[40]
31 May	Condolence motion for Bruce Child The Speaker informs the House of Representatives of the passing of former Senator Bruce Childs (ALP, NSW) on 4 May. The Senate moves a condolence motion on 13 June.
12 June	Writs issued for Fadden by-election The Speaker issues writs for the Fadden by-election, to be held on Saturday 15 July. This is required to replace Stuart Robert (Lib, Fadden, Qld), who resigned from parliament.[41]
13 June	Statements on Hunter Valley bus crash The Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Dan Repacholi (ALP, Hunter, NSW) pay tribute to the victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash at Greta.[42]
14 June	Condolence motion for Joy McKean The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion for Joy McKean, ‘the queen of Australian country music’, who died on 25 May. Along with her husband Slim Dusty, MccKean created more than 100 albums and won 45 Golden Guitars.[43]
15 June	Home Affairs Bill 2023 A Bill to terminate the lease for a potential Russian embassy site in Canberra passes both houses of Parliament, Governor-General David Hurley issues Royal Assent on the same day.[44]
16 June	Senate sits into the morning The Senate stays back until 4:16 am the next morning debating the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023.[45]
19 June	David Van resigns from Liberal Party Senator David Van (Ind, Vic) resigns from the Liberal Party and moves to the crossbench, after Senator Lidia Thorpe (Ind, Vic) and former Senator Amanda Stoker (Lib, Qld) made allegations against him.[46]
19 June	Constitution Alteration Bill passes The Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 passes the Senate. The referendum proposing this Constitutional amendment is planned for later in the year.
21 June	Condolence motion for Anthony Woods The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion for Western Australia Police Force Constable Anthony Woods, who was killed in the line of duty.[47]
22 June	Condolence motion for Alfred Neal The House of Representatives moves a condolence motion for respected Aboriginal elder Alfred Neal.[48]
22 June	Critical Minerals Strategy Minister for Resources, Madeleine King (ALP, Brand, WA) makes a ministerial statement on the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030.[49]
22 June	Canadian bushfires The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition make statements addressing the Canadian bushfires and thanking the hundreds of Australians assisting in the effort.[50]
3–9 July	NAIDOC Week: For Our Elders Parliament House is illuminated with the imagery of Central Australia while numerous tours and public events are also held. Parliament House flew the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from 2–9 July.[51]
7 July	Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme report tabled The Government receives the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme final report and moves to consider its recommendations.[52]
15 July	Fadden by-election Following Stuart Robert’s (Lib, Fadden, Qld) resignation, a by-election is held for the electorate of Fadden, where Cameron Caldwell is elected.[53]
31 July	Condolence motions for Simon Crean and Ewen Jones The House of Representatives and Senate move condolence motions for former ALP leader and Cabinet Minister Simon Crean (ALP, Hotham, Vic) who died on 25 June.[54] The Senate and House of Representatives also move condolence motions for former MP Ewen Jones (Lib, Herbert, Qld), who died on 13 July.
1–2 August	Condolence motions for Arthur Dean The House of Representatives and the Senate move condolence motions for former member Arthur Gordon Dean (Lib, Herbert, Qld), who died on 27 July.
3 August	Bridget Archer crosses the floor Bridget Archer (Lib, Bass, Tas) crosses the floor to oppose a Coalition motion regarding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
6–7 August	Parliament House shows Matildas support Parliament House is illuminated in green and gold recognising Australia’s match against Denmark in the women’s football World Cup.[55]
8 August	Protest outside Parliament House More than 100 people gather to protest the potential health and climate impacts of Middle Arm development in the Northern Territory.[56] Parliamentarians David Pocock (Ind, ACT), Monique Ryan (Ind, Kooyong, Vic), and Zali Steggall (Ind, Warringah, NSW) also attend.[57]
8 August	Matter of Privileges Following the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme releasing its report, Stephen Bates (AG, Brisbane, Qld) unsuccessfully moves that Scott Morrison (Lib, Cook, NSW) be referred to the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests.[58]
10 August	Portrait of Kevin Rudd unveiled Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s (ALP, Griffith, Qld) official portrait is unveiled at Parliament House, becoming the newest addition to the Historic Memorials Collection.[59]
10 August	Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Facility Minister for Resources, Madeleine King (ALP, Brand, WA), announces that the Government will no longer pursue Napandee (near Kimba) as a potential site for the proposed Commonwealth radioactive waste facility.[60]
10 August	Apology to Robodebt victims The Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten (ALP, Maribyrnong, Vic) moves a motion accepting the findings of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme report, including an apology to the victims.[61]
30 August	Referendum date announced The Prime Minister announces the referendum proposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will take place on 14 October.[62]
4 September	Protest at Parliament House More than 100 pharmacists protest outside Parliament House against the 60-day dispensing rule changes.[63] The Speaker also ejects a group of pharmacists from the public gallery during Question Time due to multiple interjections.[64]
4 September	Cameron Caldwell’s first speech Cameron Caldwell (Lib, Fadden, Qld) delivers his first speech in the House of Representatives following his recent by-election victory.[65]
5 September	Maria Kovacic’s first speech Maria Kovacic (Lib, NSW) delivers her first speech in the Senate, having filled the casual vacancy caused by Senator Jim Molan’s death.[66]
6 September	Golden wattle planted at Parliament House The Presiding Officers plant the first golden wattles in the Parliament House native gardens to celebrate the building’s 35th anniversary.[67]
6 September	Question Time In a departure from usual Question Time procedures, an unsuccessful dissent motion is moved against the Speaker’s ruling.[68]
8 September	Marise Payne announces her retirement Senator Marise Payne (Lib, NSW) announces she will retire on 30 September.[69] Having commenced in 1997, she is Australia’s longest-serving female senator.[70] She will deliver her valedictory speech on 13 September.[71]
11 September	Anniversary of September 11 Attacks The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition both acknowledge the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks.[72]
11 September	Protest at Parliament House A protest occurs outside of Parliament House in response to Senator Alex Antic (Lib, SA) hosting a forum against trans-gender rights.[73]
11 September	Housing Australia Future Fund Agreement After months of negotiations, the Australian Greens agree to support the Government’s social and affordable housing package, allowing the Bill to pass the Senate.[74]
11 September	Referendum Writs Issued The Governor-General issues the writs for the Voice to Parliament referendum, following a request by the Prime Minister.[75]
13 September	National Flag Day The Speaker hosts a National Flag Day event, incorporating a display of the Parliament House Australian flag in the Great Hall.[76]
13 September	Parliament House Gift Shop Reopens The Parliament House Gift Shop reopens after its first refurbishment in 27 years.[77]
13 September	Vocational Education Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor (ALP, Gorton, Vic) makes a ministerial statement regarding vocational education and training reforms.[78]
17 September	Parliamentary Librarian Dr Dianne Heriot concludes her term as the 10th Parliamentary Librarian, after 11 years in the role.[79] Steven Fox commences as the new Parliamentary Librarian on 18 September.[80]
8 October	Parliament House Open Day Parliament House hosts an Open Day to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The event includes music, performances, crafts, and a RAAF aerobatic demonstration.[81]
9 October	Parliament House support of Israel In support of Israel, Parliament House is illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag.[82]
14 October	Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum The referendum proposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is held, resulting in a majority ‘no’ vote. The ACT is the only jurisdiction to return a majority ‘yes’ result.[83]
16 October	Return of Native Bees to Parliament House The native stingless beehives return to Parliament House. During the autumn and winter months the bees temporarily move to NSW Government House.
17 October	My First Speech Winners Visit Parliament House The three winners from the ‘My First Speech’ competition visit Parliament to deliver their speeches. The Speaker hosts the event in the Presiding Officers Exhibition Area.[84]
17–18 October	Leaders of Malta and Fiji visit Parliament Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) receives Maltese President George Vella[85] and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka[86] at Parliament House for bilateral talks with the respective leaders.
19 October	Bridget Archer crosses the floor Bridget Archer (Lib, Bass, Tas) crosses the floor to oppose a Coalition motion regarding a Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities.[87]
19 October	Visit by President of Lithuania Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW) meets with Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda in Canberra. This is the first visit by a Lithuanian President to Australia in 17 years.[88]
22 October	Passing of Bill Hayden Australia mourns the passing of former Governor-General Bill Hayden on 21 October, with the Parliament House flag flown at half-mast. A State Funeral is held on 3 November, with a condolence motion moved in the Senate on 28 November.[89]
25 October	ANIP 30th Anniversary Showcase The Australian National Internships Program 30th Anniversary Showcase is held at Parliament House, bringing together over 2,700 participating students.[90]
30 October	Faith-Based Higher Education Summit The inaugural Faith-based Higher Education Summit is held at Parliament House, sponsored by the Minister for Education, Jason Clare (ALP, Blaxland, NSW).[91]
30 October	Michelle Grattan gives Speaker’s Lecture Distinguished political journalist Michelle Grattan delivers the 2023 Speaker’s Lecture at Parliament House. Ms Grattan’s speech explores challenges and opportunities for Australia’s current political system.[92]
6 November	Greens senators stage Question Time walkout During Question Time, Senator Mehreen Faruqi (AG, NSW) leads her party colleagues in a walkout, protesting the Government’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.[93]
8 November	Senate President Issues Gag Order The Senate President temporarily prohibits Senator Pauline Hanson (PHON, Qld) from speaking in the Senate after her refusal to withdraw comments made to Senator Mehreen Faruqi (AG, NSW). Senator Hanson withdraws her comments at the end of the day.[94]
11 November	Remembrance Day To commemorate Australians killed in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations, the Parliament House flags fly at half-mast from 10:30 am until the conclusion of the one minute silence at 11 am.
13 November	Electric Vehicle Charging Station Launch The Presiding Officers switch on the first electric vehicle charging stations at Australian Parliament House during a launch event. Michael Milton, one of Australia’s best-known athletes, is a guest speaker at the launch.[95]
13 November	ARIA Awards Pop-Up Performance ARIA award-nominated artist G FLIP performs in a Senate Courtyard.[96]
14 November	Russell Broadbent quits Liberal Party Russell Broadbent (Ind, Monash, Vic) moves to the crossbench after losing Liberal party preselection for his seat.[97]
15 November	Christmas Giving Tree Launch At the Christmas Giving Tree launch, the Presiding Officers light the 6m tall tree and announce this year’s nominated charities. The Canberra Grammar School Choir also perform.[98]
27 November	Parliament House Illuminated in Orange Parliament House is illuminated orange to support the United Nations campaign 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based violence.[99]
28 November	Dual chamber ‘conference’ requested The Senate agrees to a motion requesting a ‘conference’ with the House of Representatives on four private senators’ Bills that had been agreed to by the Senate on 9 November 2023.[100] This specific procedure has largely fallen into disuse, with the last similar request from the Senate being made in 1950.
29 November	National Apology for Thalidomide tragedy The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition make statements on behalf of the parliament apologising to the survivors of those given thalidomide. Thalidomide was historically prescribed to pregnant women to treat anxiety, insomnia, and morning sickness, but resulted in infant death or deformity.[101]
30 November	Delegation from Nepal Parliament House hosts a delegation from the National Assembly of Nepal, led by Ganesh Prashad Timilsina.[102]
4 December	Peta Murphy dies The Prime Minister announces that Peta Murphy (ALP, Dunkley, Vic) passed away after a lengthy battle with breast cancer, aged 50.[103]

Appendix 1: Notable Commonwealth Acts passed in 2023

Milestones	Details	Source Documents

*Administrative Law*
Ministers of State Amendment Act 2023	The Act introduces ‘a requirement for the Official Secretary to the Governor-General to publish a notification as soon as practicable after the Governor-General appoints a person to the Federal Executive Council or to administer a department of State, or directs a Minister of State to hold an office’ or revokes the same. ‘These changes are intended to ensure greater transparency for such executive appointments. The notification requirements have been introduced in response to the multiple portfolio appointments of the then Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, which were made in 2020 and 2021 but were only publicly disclosed by media reporting in late 2022.’[104]	Act no. 104 of 2023 Bills Digest, J. Mills

*Aged Care*
Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023	Creates a new Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care which will provide informed and independent oversight of the aged care system.	Act no. 55 of 2023. Bills Digest, R. Storen.

*Citizenship*
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Repudiation) Act 2023	This Act ‘repealed and replaced the relevant provisions to now provide that the Minister may make an application to a court to make a citizenship cessation order in certain circumstances, as part of sentencing on conviction of a person for certain serious offences. On receiving such an application, the court may, as part of sentencing the person to a period or periods of imprisonment, also order that they cease to be an Australian citizen.’[105]	Act no. 109 of 2023. Bills Digest, L. Ferris.

*Climate Change*
Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Act 2023	The Act is to amend several existing Commonwealth climate change laws, and to, among other things, place obligations on Australia’s largest greenhouse gas emitters to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with newly legislated targets introduced by the Climate Change Act 2022.	Act no. 14 of 2023. Bills Digest: Emily Gibson.

*Constitutional Law*
Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023	Proposes an alteration to the Constitution to recognise First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [The bill was passed by an absolute majority of each House of the Parliament. The proposal was not approved at the subsequent referendum on 14 October 2023.][106]	Passed both Houses on 19 June 2023. Bills Digest, J. Mills, S. McNicol and J. Haughton.

*Corruption*
Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Act 2023	‘The primary purpose of the PID Amendment Act was to implement a series of reforms arising from the PID Act review conducted by Mr Philip Moss AM, various other Parliamentary Inquiries, as well as to better align the PID Act with the private sector whistleblowing scheme in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and improve the operation of the PID Act.’[107]	Act no. 23 of 2023. Bills Digest, Dr J. Prest.

*Criminal law*
Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023	This Act, among other things, amends the Crimes Act 1914 to extend the sunset date for certain police powers in relation to terrorism, and the Criminal Code Act 1995 to extend the sunset date for the control order and preventative detention order regimes.[108]	Act no. 96 of 2023. Bills Digest, L. Ferris.

Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Act 2023	This Act ‘criminalises the Nazi salute and the public display of and trade in Nazi hate symbols’ and ‘ensures that glorifying and praising acts of terrorism are criminal offences under Commonwealth law.’[109]	Act no. 113 of 2023. Bills Digest, J. Mills.

*Defence*
Defence Legislation Amendment (Naval Nuclear Propulsion) Act 2023	‘The Minister for Defence has described the Bill as only the first legislative step in the acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear powered submarines (SSNs), with the legal architecture supporting the acquisition to ‘involve multiple tranches of legislation’.[110]	Act no. 48 of 2023. Bills Digest, Dr E. Gibson and Dr A. Broinowski.

*Employment Law*
Workplace Gender Equality Amendment (Closing the Gender Pay Gap) Act 2023	‘Together with the remade Legislative Instruments, which took effect on 6 February 2023, these legislative reforms are a significant step forward to help accelerate employer action to close the gender pay gap.’[111]	Act no. 18 of 2023. Bills Digest, J. Murphy.

Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Improvements for Families and Gender Equality) Act 2023	The most significant changes are to the amount of paid parental leave, and that fathers or non-birth parents now have access to it equally.[112]	Act no. 4 of 2023. Bills Digest, D. Arthur.

Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023	This Act contained a large number of discrete measures which, among other things, criminalises intentional wage and superannuation theft, provides for applications to the Fair Work Commission for same job, same pay orders for labour hire workers, and introduces a new criminal offence of industrial manslaughter for Commonwealth Government bodies and employers insured under the Comcover scheme.	Act no. 120 of 2023. Bills Digest, J. Murphy and D. Greiss. This Bill was divided into 2 Bills on 7 December 2023.

*Environmental Law*
Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023	‘These … reforms provide more time, more options, more funding and more accountability to deliver the Basin Plan and remaining water recovery targets, including the 450 GL of additional environmental water, in full.’ The reforms also address … ‘regulatory gaps to ensure that water market participants have access to relevant data and the same protections as in other markets.’[113]	Act no. 111 of 2023 Bills Digest, Dr E. Gibson.

*Family Law*
Family Law Amendment Act 2023	The Bill will amend the Family Law Act 1975, the stated purpose being to make the family law system safer and simper, and ensure the best interests of children are placed at its centre.[114]	Act no. 87 of 2023. Bills Digest, M. A. Neilsen.

*Gambling*
Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Act 2023	This Act prohibits the use of credit cards, credit‑related products and digital currency as payment methods for interactive wagering services.	Act no. 114 of 2023. Bills Digest, M. Thomas.

*Housing*
Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023	This Act created the Housing Australia Future Fund which ‘is a dedicated investment vehicle to provide additional funding to support and increase social and affordable housing, as well as other acute housing needs including, but not limited to, the particular needs of Indigenous communities and housing services for women, children and veterans. On establishment the HAFF was credited with $10 billion.’[115]	Act no. 79 of 2023. Bills Digest, L. Schatz, A. Makeham-Kirchner, M. Thomas, P. Hamilton and P. McDonald.

*Migration*
Migration Amendment (Aggregate Sentences) Act 2023	This Act amends the Migration Act ‘to specify that an aggregate sentence is considered a sentence throughout the Migration Act. This means a person who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a period of 12 months or longer, whether imposed as a sentence in respect of one or more offences, has a ‘substantial criminal record’ and fails the character test in s501 of the Migration Act.’[116]	Act no. 1 of 2023. Bills Digest, L Ferris.

Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Bridging Visas, Serious Offenders and Other Measures) Act 2023	An Act to amend the law relating to migration, and to protect the Australian community from serious offenders, and for related purposes.	Act no. 110 of 2023. Bills Digest, L. Ferris and S. Love.

*National Security*
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Act 2023	Among other things this Act provides ASIO ‘with a new security vetting and clearance related function for both ASIO and non-ASIO personnel seeking to hold, or currently holding, a security clearance.’[117]	Act no. 33 of 2023. Bills Digest, L Ferris.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Act 2023	An Act to amend the law relating to the oversight of intelligence services. The Bill was to, among other things, amend the Inspector‑General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 to enhance the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security's (IGIS) oversight functions and powers and to streamline reporting and information sharing procedures.[118]	Act no. 73 of 2023. Bills Digest, Dr S. Torrens and J. Murphy.

*Social Security*
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management Reform) Act 2023	The Act was designed to, among other things, ‘expand access to the enhanced income management regime’ and to ‘enable people subject to the existing income management regime to move to the enhanced income management regime, thereby allowing them access to the BasicsCard bank account and superior SmartCard.[119]	Act no. 47 of 2023. Bills Digest, D. Arthur and M. Klapdor.

Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023	Introduced with the Disability Services and Inclusion (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023, the Act replaces the Disability Services Act 1986 by establishing a framework for the funding and regulation of programs for the benefit of people with disability, and their families and carers.[120]	Acts nos. 103 and 107 of 2023. Bills Digest, S. Pennings

*Therapeutic Goods*
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Act 2023	Among other things, this Act establishes a framework for the mandatory reporting of medical device adverse events by healthcare facilities (principally public and private hospitals) in specified circumstances (e.g. where the use of a reportable device in a hospital has resulted in a person’s death or serious health deterioration), and to enhance patient safety and improve the safe use of devices.[121]	Act no. 10 of 2023. Bills Digest: R. Storen and L. Ferris.

References

[1]. Australia’s Parliament House in 2014 and 2015: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2016: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2017: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2018: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2019: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2020: a Chronology of Events and Australia’s Parliament House in 2021: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s Parliament House in 2022: a Chronology of Parliament.

[2].    Australia, Senate, ‘Death of Senator Andrew James (Jim) Molan AO DSC’, Journals, 29, 2022–23, 6 February 2023, 872; Australia, House of Representatives, ‘Death of Senator Andrew James (Jim) Molan’, Votes and Proceedings, HVP, 2022–23, 6 February 2023, 438.

[3].    Milton Dick, Statement by the Speaker: Member for Cook, House of Representatives, Debates, 6 February 2022, 88–89.

[4].    Adam Bandt, Privilege: Member for Cook, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 December 2022, 4019.

[5].    Anthony Albanese and Chris Hipkins, ‘Humanitarian support for Türkiye and Syria; Prime Minister Hipkins' visit to Australia; Australia-New Zealand relationship; AUKUS; Voice to Parliament referendum; China relationships; Defence policy; Section 501’, transcript, 7 February 2023.

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