No. 39
- 9:00:07 AM
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.
- 9:00:58 AM
Mr Albanese, by indulgence, made a statement relating to the death of Jon Kudelka.
- 9:01:49 AM
2AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION—REPORT—STATEMENT BY SPEAKER
The Speaker presented the following document:
Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Zambia and Mauritius, 21 to 27 September 2025—Report, February 2026.
- 9:02:02 AM
The Speaker made a statement in connection with the report.
- 9:14:20 AM
4Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026
Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to corporations, financial services and the financial reporting system, and for related purposes.
Document
Dr Mulino presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.
Bill read a first time.
- 9:14:51 AM
Dr Mulino moved—That the bill be now read a second time.
- 9:22:27 AM
Debate adjourned (Mr Wood), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 9:23:12 AM
6Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER
The Speaker reported that the Federation Chamber had been unable to complete its consideration of the bill and had returned the bill with an unresolved question (see item No. 3, Minutes of Proceedings of the Federation Chamber, 11 February 2026), and presented a certified copy of the bill together with a schedule of the unresolved question.
- 9:23:35 AM
Unresolved question—That the bill be now read a second time—
- 9:23:52 AM
Division 115
The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—
AYES, 106
Mr Abdo | Ms T Cook | Mr Leeser | Mr D Smith* |
Ms Aldred | Ms Doyle | Dr Leigh | Mr M Smith |
Ms Ambihaipahar | Mr Dreyfus | Mr Lim | Mr Soon |
Mr Batt | Mrs Elliot | Ms McBride | Ms Spender |
Ms Bell | Ms Fernando | Mr McCormack | Ms Stanley* |
Ms Belyea | Ms France | Mrs McIntosh | Ms Swanson |
Ms Berry | Dr Freelander | Ms McKenzie | Mr Taylor |
Mr Birrell | Mr French | Ms Mascarenhas | Ms Teesdale |
Mr Boyce | Dr Garland | Ms Miller-Frost | Mr Tehan |
Ms Briskey | Mr Georganas | Mr Mitchell | Ms Templeman |
Mr Buchholz | Mr Gorman | Mr Moncrieff | Mr Thompson |
Mr Burke | Mr Gosling | Dr Mulino | Ms Thwaites |
Mr Burnell | Mr Gregg | Mr Ng | Ms Urquhart |
Ms Byrnes | Mr Hamilton | Mr Pasin | Mr Venning |
Mr Caldwell | Mr Hastie | Ms Penfold | Mr Violi |
Ms Campbell | Mr Hawke | Mrs Phillips | Mr Wallace |
Mr Chaffey | Mr Hill | Mr Pike | Mr Watts |
Dr Charlton | Mr Holzberger | Ms Price | Dr Webster |
Mr Chester | Mr Husic | Mr Rae | Ms White |
Ms Chesters | Ms Jarrett | Mr Rebello | Mr Willcox |
Ms Claydon | Ms Jordan-Baird | Mr Repacholi | Mr R Wilson |
Ms Clutterham | Ms Kearney | Ms Roberts | Mr T Wilson |
Ms Coffey | Mr Kennedy | Ms J Ryan | Ms Witty |
Ms Coker | Mr Khalil | Ms Scrymgour | Mr Wood |
Ms Comer | Ms Landry | Ms Sitou | Mr Young |
Mr Conaghan | Ms Lawrence | Mr Small | Mr Zappia |
Ms K Cook | Mr Laxale |
NOES, 8
Ms Boele* | Ms Le | Dr Scamps | Ms Watson-Brown |
Ms Chaney | Dr M Ryan* | Ms Steggall | Mr Wilkie |
* Tellers
And so it was resolved in the affirmative.
- 9:35:27 AM
—bill read a second time.
- 9:35:51 AM
Message from the Governor-General
Message No. 48, 20 July 2025, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.
- 9:36:00 AM
Consideration in detail
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
- 9:36:24 AM
Ms Chaney, by leave, moved amendments (1) and (2) together.
Mr Burke, 9:41:36 AM.
- 9:43:32 AM
Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put.
- 9:43:42 AM
Division 116
The House divided (the Deputy Speaker, Ms Claydon, in the Chair)—
AYES, 10
Ms Boele | Ms Le | Ms Spender | Ms Watson-Brown* |
Ms Chaney* | Dr M Ryan | Ms Steggall | Mr Wilkie |
Mr Gee | Dr Scamps |
NOES, 67
Mr Abdo | Ms T Cook | Ms Jordan-Baird | Ms Scrymgour |
Ms Ambihaipahar | Ms Doyle | Ms Kearney | Ms Sitou |
Ms Belyea | Mr Dreyfus | Mr Khalil | Mr D Smith* |
Ms Berry | Mrs Elliot | Ms Lawrence | Mr M Smith |
Mr Boyce | Ms Fernando | Mr Laxale | Mr Soon |
Ms Briskey | Ms France | Mr Lim | Ms Stanley* |
Mr Burke | Dr Freelander | Ms McBride | Ms Swanson |
Mr Burnell | Mr French | Ms Mascarenhas | Ms Teesdale |
Ms Byrnes | Dr Garland | Ms Miller-Frost | Ms Templeman |
Ms Campbell | Mr Georganas | Mr Mitchell | Ms Thwaites |
Dr Charlton | Mr Gorman | Mr Moncrieff | Ms Urquhart |
Ms Chesters | Mr Gosling | Dr Mulino | Mr Watts |
Ms Clutterham | Mr Gregg | Mr Ng | Ms White |
Ms Coffey | Mr Hill | Ms Penfold | Ms Witty |
Ms Coker | Mr Holzberger | Mr Rae | Mr Wood |
Ms Comer | Mr Husic | Mr Repacholi | Mr Zappia |
Ms K Cook | Ms Jarrett | Ms J Ryan |
* Tellers
And so it was negatived.
- 9:53:00 AM
Ms Steggall moved an amendment.
Mr Burke, 9:58:29 AM.
- 10:03:05 AM
Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.
- 10:03:11 AM
Division 117
The House divided (the Deputy Speaker, Ms Claydon, in the Chair)—
AYES, 9
Ms Boele | Dr M Ryan | Ms Spender | Ms Watson-Brown |
Ms Chaney | Dr Scamps | Ms Steggall* | Mr Wilkie* |
Ms Le |
NOES, 60
Mr Abdo | Ms T Cook | Ms Lawrence | Mr M Smith |
Ms Ambihaipahar | Mr Dreyfus | Mr Laxale | Mr Soon |
Ms Belyea | Mrs Elliot | Dr Leigh | Ms Stanley* |
Ms Berry | Ms France | Mr Lim | Ms Swanson |
Mr Bowen | Mr French | Ms McBride | Ms Teesdale |
Ms Briskey | Dr Garland | Ms Miller-Frost | Ms Templeman |
Mr Burke | Mr Georganas | Mr Mitchell | Ms Thwaites |
Mr Burnell | Mr Gorman | Mr Moncrieff | Ms Urquhart |
Ms Byrnes | Mr Gosling | Mr Ng | Mr Watts |
Ms Campbell | Mr Gregg | Mrs Phillips | Ms White |
Ms Chesters | Mr Hill | Mr Repacholi | Mr J Wilson |
Ms Clutterham | Mr Holzberger | Ms J Ryan | Mr T Wilson |
Ms Coffey | Mr Husic | Ms Scrymgour | Ms Witty |
Ms Comer | Ms Kearney | Ms Sitou | Mr Wood |
Ms K Cook | Mr Khalil | Mr D Smith* | Mr Zappia |
* Tellers
And so it was negatived.
- 10:09:44 AM
Bill agreed to.
Consideration in detail concluded.
- 10:10:14 AM
On the motion of Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs), by leave, the bill was read a third time.
- 10:10:51 AM
7National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER
The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber, a Governor-General’s message recommending an appropriation had been reported, and the bill had been agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.
- 10:11:36 AM
On the motion of Ms White (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), by leave, the bill was read a third time.
- 10:12:07 AM
8Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER
The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber, a Governor-General’s message recommending an appropriation had been reported, and the bill had been agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.
- 10:12:46 AM
On the motion of Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for Social Services), by leave, the bill was read a third time.
- 10:13:23 AM
9Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests—REPORT
Mrs Elliot (Chair) presented the following document:
Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests—Report concerning the registration and declaration of Members’ interests during 2025—Report, February 2026.
In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.
- 10:13:44 AM
10Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER
Mr Laxale presented the following document:
Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Annual report of committee activities 2024-2025—Report, February 2026.
In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.
- 10:13:58 AM
Mr Laxale, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.
- 10:16:47 AM
11Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026
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.
Mr Ted O’Brien, 10:17:02 AM.
Ms Campbell, 10:47:21 AM. Point of order, Mr Bowen. 10:48:21 AM. Ms Campbell, 10:48:43 AM. Mr T Wilson, 11:02:29 AM. Mr French, 11:17:36 AM. Ms Aldred, 11:31:35 AM. Ms Clutterham, 11:46:18 AM.
- 12:01:05 PM
Debate adjourned (Mr Rae—Minister for Aged Care and Seniors), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.
- 12:01:29 PM
12Eighteenth Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and the Closing the Gap Annual Report and Implementation Plan—MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER
Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by leave, made a ministerial statement relating to the eighteenth anniversary of the national apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and the Closing the Gap annual report and implementation plan, and presented the following documents:
- 12:01:51 PM
Closing the Gap—
Statement by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP, 12 February 2026.
Commonwealth 2025 Annual Report and Commonwealth 2026 Implementation Plan.
Coalition of Peaks—Closing the Gap—
Implementation Plan 2026.
Report for 2024-25.
- 12:23:07 PM
Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition) addressed the House in reply.
- 12:35:52 PM
Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the House take note of the following document:
Closing the Gap—Commonwealth 2025 Annual Report and Commonwealth 2026 Implementation Plan.
- 12:36:23 PM
Debate adjourned (Mr Hawke—Manager of Opposition Business), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- 12:36:35 PM
Mr Burke declared the order of the day referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
- 12:37:59 PM
13Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026
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.
Ms Penfold, 12:38:34 PM. Mr Hill, 12:53:44 PM. Point of order, Mr Tehan. 1:04:33 PM. Mr Hill, 1:04:40 PM. Mr McCormack, 1:09:04 PM. Ms K Cook, 1:24:14 PM.
- 1:29:22 PM
It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.
- 1:29:30 PM
14MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS
Members’ statements were made.
Ms Le, 1:29:35 PM. Mr Burnell, 1:31:12 PM. Mr Small, 1:32:45 PM. Ms Fernando, 1:34:12 PM. Dr M Ryan, 1:35:46 PM. Mr Lim, 1:37:02 PM. Mr Rebello, 1:38:35 PM. Ms France, 1:40:06 PM. Mr Boyce, 1:41:42 PM. Mr Gosling, 1:43:17 PM. Mr Taylor, 1:44:43 PM. Ms Briskey, 1:46:16 PM. Mr Chaffey, 1:47:53 PM. Mr Moncrieff, 1:49:24 PM. Mr Caldwell, 1:50:45 PM. Mr Repacholi, 1:52:18 PM. Mr Chester, 1:53:50 PM. Ms Jordan-Baird, 1:56:03 PM. Mr Tehan, 1:57:24 PM. Ms Clutterham, 1:58:54 PM.
- 2:00:33 PM
Mr Albanese notified the House of ministerial arrangements.
- 2:01:28 PM
- 2:01:31 PM
(1)Ms Ley to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)
- 2:03:11 PM
(2)Ms Briskey to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
Point of order, Ms Bell. 2:06:12 PM. Point of order, Mr Burke. 2:06:34 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:07:02 PM.
- 2:07:25 PM
(3)Ms Steggall to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)
- 2:08:56 PM
(4)Ms Scrymgour to Ms Rishworth (Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians)
- 2:12:30 PM
Distinguished visitor announced.
- 2:12:48 PM
(5)Mr T Wilson to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 2:14:12 PM
(6)Mr Gosling to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)
- 2:17:43 PM
(7)Mr Birrell to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)
Point of order, Mr Chester. 2:20:08 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:21:24 PM.
- 2:23:20 PM
(8)Ms Stanley to Ms Rishworth (Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations)
- 2:26:35 PM
(9)Mr Ted O’Brien to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)
Point of order, Mr Hogan. 2:27:59 PM. Point of order, Mr Burke. 2:28:25 PM. Dr Chalmers, 2:29:23 PM.
- 2:31:58 PM
(10)Mr French to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)
- 2:35:19 PM
(11)Mr McCormack to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)
Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:36:51 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:37:53 PM. Point of order, Mr Chester. 2:39:19 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:39:50 PM.
- 2:40:59 PM
(12)Ms Doyle to Mr Conroy (Minister for Defence Industry)
Point of order, Mr Hawke. 2:43:57 PM. Mr Conroy, 2:44:34 PM.
- 2:45:37 PM
(13)Ms Aldred to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 2:49:27 PM
Member directed to leave
At 2.50 pm the Member for Herbert (Mr Thompson) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.
- 2:49:42 PM
Questions without notice continuing—
- 2:49:42 PM
(14)Dr Garland to Ms C King (Minister representing the Minister for Women)
- 2:53:14 PM
(15)Ms Boele to Mr Burke (Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water)
- 2:55:36 PM
(16)Ms Ambihaipahar to Ms McBain (Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories)
- 2:58:56 PM
(17)Ms Chaney to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:03:02 PM
(18)Ms Coffey to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)
- 3:06:24 PM
(19)Ms Price to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:10:02 PM
(20)Mr Burnell to Mr Clare (Minister for Education)
- 3:13:18 PM
(21)Mr Batt to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:14:45 PM
Member directed to leave
At 3.15 pm the Member for Cowper (Mr Conaghan) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given by the Chair and he accordingly left the Chamber.
- 3:15:01 PM
Questions without notice continued.
- 3:15:01 PM
(22)Ms Belyea to Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services)
- 3:17:57 PM
(23)Mrs McIntosh to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:21:28 PM
(24)Ms Berry to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)
- 3:25:42 PM
16DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Cost of living
The House was informed that Mr Hogan had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s betrayal of Australians due to higher energy costs and other cost of living pressures”.
- 3:26:00 PM
The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—
- 3:26:04 PM
Mr Hogan addressed the House.
Ms McBride, 3:36:08 PM. Dr Webster, 3:46:16 PM. Ms Briskey, 3:51:22 PM. Mr Birrell, 3:56:06 PM. Mr Burnell, 4:01:09 PM. Mr McCormack, 4:06:03 PM. Mr French, 4:11:05 PM. Mr Batt, 4:16:18 PM. Ms Witty, 4:21:23 PM.
- 4:26:23 PM
17Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026
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.
- 4:26:43 PM
Ms Landry addressing the House—
- 4:30:08 PM
18ADJOURNMENT
It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.
Debate ensued.
Dr Scamps, 4:30:18 PM. Ms Stanley, 4:35:25 PM. Mr Hawke, 4:40:26 PM. Mr Soon, 4:45:31 PM. Mr Kennedy, 4:50:33 PM. Mr M Smith, 4:55:40 PM.
- 5:00:44 PM
The House continuing to sit until 5 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 10 am on Monday, 2 March 2026.
- 5:00:53 PM
DOCUMENTS
The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 12 February 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):
Australian Citizenship Act 2007—Exercise of ministerial discretion under subsection 22B(1A)—5 February 2026.
Defence Act 1903—Defence (Individual benefits) Determination (No. 2) 2026 [F2026L00099].
Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995—Dispensation report—02/26.
- 5:00:55 PM
ATTENDANCE
All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr Burns, Dr Haines, Mr Katter, Mr Marles, *Mr Neumann, Mr L O’Brien, *Ms Payne and *Dr Reid.
* On leave