Ministerial responses
The committee works to conclude its assessment of bills while they are still before the Parliament, and its assessment of legislative instruments within the timeframe for disallowance (usually 15 sitting days). This approach seeks to ensure that the committee's reports on the human rights compatibility of legislation are available to inform the debates of the Parliament.
The committee therefore sets its reporting date for specific items of legislation taking into account the need to report in advance of the passage of legislation, particularly where the passage of that legislation might be expedited due to urgency or other reasons.
Where the committee seeks a response from legislation proponents (usually the minister), it will specify a due date. Responses received by the requested date can be taken into account and published alongside the committee's concluding report on an item of legislation. Legislation proponents should therefore ensure that responses are provided by the dates requested.
The table below sets out the bills and legislative instruments for which the committee has requested a response and the response has either not yet been received or has been received but the committee has not yet finally reported on it.
Bills or legislative instruments listed in red indicate that the response is overdue. On an exceptional basis, extensions are occasionally granted. Responses marked with an * indicate an extension has been granted.
All ministerial and other responses are published alongside the scrutiny report after tabling.
| Legislation |
Minister |
Committee comment |
Response due |
Response received |
| Aged Care Rules 2025 |
Health, Disability, and Ageing |
Report 8 of 2025 |
9 January 2026 |
|
| Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 |
Home Affairs |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Customs (Places of Detention) Directions 2025 |
Home Affairs |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Family Assistance (Public Interest Certificate Guidelines) Determination 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Public Interest Certificates for Work Health and Safety Purposes) Rules 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 7 of 2025 |
10 December 2025 |
|
| Social Security (Public Interest Certificate Guidelines) (DSS) Determination 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Student Assistance (Public Interest Certificate Guidelines) Determination 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
14 January 2026 |
|
| Social Security (Administration) (Penalty Amount) Determination 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
20 January 2026 |
|
| Social Security (Administration) (Persistent Non-compliance) Determination 2025 |
Social Services |
Report 8 of 2025 |
20 January 2026 |
|