1The House met, at 10 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

 2PETITIONS—STANDING COMMITTEE—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Belyea (Chair) presented the following documents:

Petitions—Standing Committee—Report 6: Petitions and Ministerial responses—

Report, 9 February 2026.

Petitions.

Ministers’ responses to petitions previously presented to the House.

Ms Belyea made a statement in connection with petitions.

 3Economics—Standing Committee—REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr Husic (Chair) presented the following documents:

Economics—Standing Committee—Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia annual report 2024—

Report, January 2026.

Minutes of proceedings.

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

 4Flags Amendment (Protection of Australian National Flags) Bill 2026

Mr Conaghan, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Conaghan presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 5Criminal Code Amendment (Flag Protection) Bill 2026

Ms Sharkie, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Sharkie presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 6Medicare

Ms Templeman, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)notes:

(a)that on 1 January 2026:

(i)the pharmaceutical benefits scheme co-payment for general patients was reduced to $25, the lowest price since 2004;

(ii)1800 Medicare was launched, giving Australians access to free 24 hours a day, seven days a week quality health advice over the phone; and

(iii)Medicare Mental Health Check-In commenced, providing a new free digital mental health service offering self-help tools; and

(b)the Government’s record investment in bulk billing which has resulted in:

(i)more than 3,300 fully bulk billing general practitioner practices across Australia, with almost 1,250 of these practices previously mixed billing; and

(ii)rising bulk billing rates and a stronger Medicare; and

(2)acknowledges that only this Government can be trusted to strengthen Medicare.

 7Migration policy

Ms Steggall, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)notes that:

(a)immigration has been, and continues to be, a fundamental contributor to Australia's economic strength, social fabric, and national resilience; and

(b)migrants play a vital role in sustaining small businesses across Australia, including by filling skills and labour shortages, starting new enterprises, supporting regional economies and contributing to local employment growth; and

(2)calls on all Members of the House to engage in respectful, evidence-based debate on migration policy, and to reject rhetoric that inflames division or undermines the dignity and contribution of migrant communities.

 8Government spending

Mr Ted O’Brien, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1)condemns the Treasurer for refusing to take responsibility for the Government’s out-of-control spending, which is fuelling inflation and interest rates;

(2)notes the:

(a)Treasurer’s own budget papers show he has added $50 billion of new discretionary spending in the current financial year alone; and

(b)average mortgage holder is already paying around $21,000 a year more in interest than under the previous Government and that burden could rise even further; and

(3)calls on the Treasurer to adopt measurable budget rules to bring discipline back to the management of our nation’s finances.

 9MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 73, 5 February 2026, from the Senate was reported informing the House that Senator Thorpe had been appointed a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.

 10Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) 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 Mr Leeser, 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:

(1)notes with concern that:

(a)Australia’s tertiary education sector is significantly over-regulated;

(b)providers report to multiple competing and overlapping bodies; and

(c)some providers are required by law to deal with more than 300 different pieces of legislation and regulation;

(2)affirms that the objective of tertiary education in Australia must focus on teaching, learning and research, and should otherwise be aimed at promoting a dynamic and innovative sector that provides a positive student experience, delivers value for money, improves Australia’s productivity and supports Australian values;

(3)further notes widespread concern among the tertiary sector and expert stakeholders about the drafting of this legislation; and

(4)calls for this legislation to be the subject of proper and thorough scrutiny”—

Debate resumed.

 11MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement on Australian athletes at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

 12QUESTIONS

 13COMMITTEES—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Opposition Whip had nominated Members to be members of certain committees.

Mr Burke (Leader of the House), by leave, moved—That:

 (1)Mr Boyce be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water;

 (2)Ms Penfold be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport;

 (3)Mr Birrell be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Education and the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability;

 (4)Ms Landry and Mr McCormack be appointed members of the Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science;

 (5)Mr Chaffey and Ms Landry be appointed members of the Standing Committee on Primary Industries;

 (6)Mr McCormack be appointed a member of the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests, the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards;

 (7)Ms Landry and Ms Penfold be appointed members of the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport;

 (8)Ms Landry be appointed a member of the Selection Committee; and

 (9)Mr Conaghan be appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

 14SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS MOVED

Mr T Wilson moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Goldstein moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1)notes that:

(a)during the matter of public importance discussion on 5 February 2026, the Minister for Small Business suggested that the 33,426 small businesses which have closed under the Government did so because “maybe they were dodgy”; and

(b)the Minister for Small Business told the House she would take the opportunity to correct the record about these disgraceful comments but that she is yet to do so; and

(2)therefore, requires the Minister for Small Business to present a formal apology in the House, apologising to the thousands of small business owners and their staff whom she slandered, before the House rises today.

Ms Collins (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) added to an answer given earlier today.

 15Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) 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 Mr Leeser (see item No. 10, page XX)—

Debate resumed.