1The House met, at 9 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

 2Passing of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC—STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to the passing of Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC.

 3SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS MOVED

Mr Gee moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member from Calare moving the following motion—That this House:

(1)notes that:

(a)all the major parties have let the residents and communities of Central Western New South Wales down with broken promises, empty announcements and funding cuts with respect to the Bells Line of Road and Great Western Highway;

(b)the people of the Central West see expressways and tunnels being built all over Sydney, the north coast and south coast, yet are told to make do with a bridge built by a convict chain gang in 1832 as their main access road in and out of Sydney; and

(c)the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway demonstrates that the people of the Central West are being short-changed and ripped off when it comes to the funding of a decent access road to Sydney; and

(2)calls on:

(a)the Australian and New South Wales governments to introduce a support package for businesses in the Central West being devastated by the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway; and

(b)the Australian Government to commit significant and substantial funding in the upcoming budget for improved road access between the Central West and Sydney.

 4MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—ASSENT TO BILLS

Messages from Her Excellency the Governor-General were announced informing the House that Her Excellency, in the name of His Majesty, had assented to the following bills:

 5MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 31 March 2026, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 99—Copyright Amendment Bill 2026.

No. 100—Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026.

No. 101—Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026.

 6BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill:

Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026; and 

Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026.

 7SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS MOVED

Ms Penfold moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:

(1)the Member for Lyne presenting a Bill for an Act to establish a commission of inquiry into the behaviour, practices and performance of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, and for related purposes;

(2)debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and

(3)any questions required to complete passage of the bill then being put without delay.

 8Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026

Mr Burke (Minister for the Arts), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to provide support for Australian creators and publishers of books available in Australian public and educational lending libraries, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Burke presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 9Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026

Mr Burke (Minister for the Arts), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Burke presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 10NOTICE CALLED ON

Ordered—That notice No. 6, government business, be called on immediately.

 11Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation in relation to secrecy provisions, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 12Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026

Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 13Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026

Mr Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to defence, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Keogh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 14Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Leigh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 15Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish a framework to protect aviation consumers and to establish an independent Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to this bill and the Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026.

Bill read a first time.

 16Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) presented a Bill for an Act to impose levy on regulated entities under the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 17Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the collection of levy imposed on regulated entities under the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms C King presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 18Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026

Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Aviation Consumer Protection Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Bill read a first time.

 19Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

 20Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

 21Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), by leave, moved—That, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948, Mr Violi be discharged as a trustee serving on the Parliamentary Retiring Allowances Trust, and that Mr Caldwell be appointed a trustee to serve on the Trust.

 22Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated a Member to be a participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.

Mr Rae (Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), by leave, moved—That Mr Burnell be appointed a participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for the purpose of the committee’s inquiry into the 2025 federal election.

Question—put and passed.

 23Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Zappia (Chair) presented the following document:

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—Referral made in September 2025 (2nd report of 2026)—Report, March 2026.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

 24Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Chesters (Chair) presented the following document:

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 232: Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty)—Report, March 2026.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

 25National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2026

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—And on the amendment moved thereto by Mrs McIntosh, viz.—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that:

(1)the Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have been unable to clearly quantify the scale of fraud within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);

(2)the NDIA Fraud Fusion Taskforce estimates that up to 10 per cent of NDIS claims are inappropriate, mischievous or outright criminal;

(3)the Government must do more to prevent the fraud and rorting that is rife within the NDIS;

(4)the changes in the bill will do little to remove bad actors from defrauding participants and taxpayers;

(5)the changes in the bill provide no direct regulation or fraud controls for the 94 per cent of NDIS providers who are not registered; and

(6)robust integrity systems are critical to not only protect taxpayer funds but also to protect NDIS participants from exploitation by unscrupulous providers”—

Debate resumed.

 26Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Quorum called, Ms J Ryan.

Quorum formed.

 27Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Mascarenhas (Chair) presented the following document:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Human rights scrutiny report: Report 4 of 2026—Report, April 2026.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

 28AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Dr Reid presented the following document:

Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the MIKTA Speakers’ Consultation 2025 and bilateral visit to Seoul, Republic of Korea, 10 to 13 November 2025—Report, April 2026.

 29Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—And on the amendment moved thereto by Mrs McIntosh, viz.—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes the Government’s telecommunications failure:

(1)on the botched closure of the 3G network that has left many Australians without telephone services in peri-urban, regional, rural and remote Australia;

(2)to respond to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee Report which was tabled in December last year to ensure regional communities have access to reliable telecommunications; and

(3)to release the consultation paper on the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation, despite committing to legislate this by the end of 2025”—

Debate resumed.

 30MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

 31QUESTIONS

 32Farrer ELECTORAL DIVISION—ISSUE OF WRIT

The Speaker informed the House that he had issued a writ today for the election of a Member to serve for the Electoral Division of Farrer, and the dates fixed were those announced to the House on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

 33Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 28 of 2025-26—Performance audit—Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Services program: Department of Home Affairs; Department of Social Services.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

 34Leave of absence to all Members

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting.

 35DOCUMENTS 

The following documents were presented: 

Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples—Joint Select Committee—Final report—Government response, April 2026.

Employment, Education and Training—Standing Committee—

Shared vision, equal pathways: Inquiry into the perceptions and status of vocational education and training—Government response, March 2026.

Study buddy or influencer: Inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system—Government response, April 2026.

The future of work: Inquiry into the digital transformation of workplaces—Government response, March 2026.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

2016 Review of Stronger Futures measures—Government response, April 2026.

Examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011: Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Act 2012 and related legislation—Government response, April 2026.

Northern Australia—Joint Standing Committee—The engagement of traditional owners in the economic development of northern Australia—Government response, April 2026.

 36DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Leadership

The House was informed that Mr Taylor (Leader of the Opposition) had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Prime Minister’s failure to lead during times of crisis”.

 37DEFENCE—Parliamentary Joint Committee—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Prime Minister had nominated Members to be members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence.

 38MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 1 April 2026, were reported returning the following bills without amendments or requests:

No. 102—Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026.

No. 103—Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 (without requests).

No. 104—Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026.

No. 105—Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2026.

No. 107—Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.

No. 108—Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025.

No. 109—National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026.

No. 110—Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025.

No. 111—Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025.

No. 112—Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025.

No. 113—Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025.

No. 114—Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025.

 39MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025

Message No. 106, 1 April 2026, from the Senate was reported returning the Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025 with amendments.

 40ADJOURNMENT

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

DOCUMENTS 

 The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 1 April 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk): 

Australian Citizenship Act 2007—Report under section 51B for the period 8 December 2024 to 7 December 2025. 

Corporations Act 2001— 

ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2026/246 [F2026L00389].  

ASIC Corporations (Exchange-Traded Warrants) Instrument 2026/247 [F2026L00390].  

Federal Financial Relations Act 2009—Federal Financial Relations (National Partnership Payments—2025-26 Payment No. 10) Determination 2026 [F2026L00399]. 

Legislation Act 2003—List of legislative instruments due to sunset on 1 October 2027. 

My Health Records Act 2012—My Health Records Rules 2026 [F2026L00392]. 

National Health Act 1953— 

National Health (Listed Drugs on F1 or F2) Amendment Determination (No. 3) 2026—PB 40 of 2026 [F2026L00398].  

National Health (Originator Brand) Amendment Determination (April Update) 2026—PB 41 of 2026 [F2026L00400].  

National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Early Supply) Specification 2026—PB 32 of 2026 [F2026L00396].  

National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—Exempt items—Section 84AH) Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2026—PB 42 of 2026 [F2026L00402].  

National Health (Price and Special Patient Contribution) Amendment Determination (No. 3) 2026—PB 43 of 2026 [F2026L00401].  

Social Security Act 1991—Social Security (Youth Allowance) (Special Circumstances—Family) Instrument 2026 [F2026L00394]. 

Social Security Act 1991 and Student Assistance Act 1973—Social Security and Student Assistance (Student Start-up Loan Debts and ABSTUDY Student Start-up Loan Overpayments) Determination 2026 [F2026L00397]. 

Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995—Dispensation report—06/26. 

Telecommunications Act 1997—Telecommunications (Mobile Network Coverage Maps) Industry Standard 2026 [F2026L00381]. 

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr Burns, Dr Haines, Mr Hamilton, Ms Le, Mr Leeser, Mrs Phillips, Ms Price, Ms Stanley, Mr Thompson, Ms Thwaites and Mr Young.

* On leave