Live Minutes – Parliament of Australia

Draft Minutes

No. 35

Thursday, 5 February 2026

- 9:00:08 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.

- 9:01:20 AM

2National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026

Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act about the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Plibersek presented an explanatory memorandum to this bill and the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:02:16 AM

Ms Plibersek moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:14:31 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:14:51 AM

3National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026

Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with transitional matters arising from the enactment of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Act 2026, and for related purposes.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:15:44 AM

Ms Plibersek moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:16:28 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:16:45 AM

4Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

Ms Plibersek (Minister for Social Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security and child support, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Plibersek presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:17:28 AM

Ms Plibersek moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:28:49 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:29:03 AM

5MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026

Message No. 41, 2 February 2026, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending, in accordance with the requirements of section 56 of the Constitution, an appropriation for the purposes of the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026.

Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer) presented a Bill for an Act to appropriate additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the ordinary annual services of the Government, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Mulino presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:29:49 AM

Dr Mulino moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:33:08 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:33:19 AM

6MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Message No. 42, 2 February 2026, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending, in accordance with the requirements of section 56 of the Constitution, an appropriation for the purposes of the Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026.

Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer) presented a Bill for an Act to appropriate additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for certain expenditure, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Mulino presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:33:57 AM

Dr Mulino moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:35:23 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:36:18 AM

7MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Message No. 43, 2 February 2026, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending, in accordance with the requirements of section 56 of the Constitution, an appropriation for the purposes of the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026.

Dr Mulino (Assistant Treasurer) presented a Bill for an Act to appropriate additional money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund for expenditure in relation to the Parliamentary Departments, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Mulino presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:37:10 AM

Dr Mulino moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:37:56 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:38:14 AM

8National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026

Ms White (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the National Health Act 1953, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms White presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

- 9:38:45 AM

Ms White moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

- 9:41:17 AM

Debate adjourned (Mr Caldwell), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

- 9:41:44 AM

9Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025—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.

- 9:42:04 AM

Bill agreed to.

- 9:42:17 AM

On the motion of Dr Aly (Minister for Multicultural Affairs), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

- 9:43:03 AM

10Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) 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—

Debate resumed.

Mr Soon, 9:43:12 AM. Mr Abdo, 9:50:37 AM. Ms Coker, 10:03:33 AM. Mr Moncrieff, 10:17:33 AM. Mrs Elliot, 10:30:54 AM. Mr Zappia, 10:44:25 AM. Mr Laxale, 10:55:30 AM. Ms Stanley, 11:07:51 AM. Mr Butler, 11:12:35 AM.

- 11:16:46 AM

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

- 11:17:00 AM

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

- 11:17:13 AM

Dr Webster moved an amendment.

- 11:21:28 AM

Debate ensued.

Mr Butler, 11:21:30 AM.

- 11:23:32 AM

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

- 11:23:37 AM

Division 106

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Dick, in the Chair)—

AYES, 17

Mr Batt*	Mr Conaghan	Mr Littleproud	Dr Scamps
Mr Birrell	Mr Hogan	Mr McCormack	Dr Webster
Mr Boyce	Mr Joyce	Mr L O’Brien	Mr Wilkie
Mr Chaffey	Ms Landry*	Ms Penfold	Mr Willcox
Mr Chester

NOES, 92

Mr Abdo	Ms K Cook	Mr Keogh	Ms J Ryan
Dr Aly	Ms T Cook	Mr Khalil	Dr M Ryan
Ms Ambihaipahar	Ms Doyle	Ms C King	Ms Scrymgour
Ms Belyea	Mr Dreyfus	Ms Lawrence	Ms Sharkie
Ms Berry	Mrs Elliot	Mr Laxale	Ms Sitou
Ms Boele	Ms Fernando	Ms Le	Mr D Smith*
Mr Bowen	Ms France	Dr Leigh	Mr M Smith
Ms Briskey	Dr Freelander	Mr Lim	Mr Soon
Mr Burnell	Mr French	Ms McBain	Ms Spender
Mr Butler	Dr Garland	Ms McBride	Ms Stanley*
Ms Byrnes	Mr Georganas	Ms Mascarenhas	Ms Steggall
Ms Campbell	Mr Giles	Ms Miller-Frost	Ms Swanson
Ms Chaney	Mr Gorman	Mr Mitchell	Ms Teesdale
Dr Charlton	Mr Gosling	Mr Moncrieff	Ms Templeman
Ms Chesters	Mr Gregg	Dr Mulino	Mr Thistlethwaite
Mr Clare	Dr Haines	Mr Ng	Ms Thwaites
Ms Claydon	Mr Hill	Ms O’Neil	Ms Urquhart
Ms Clutterham	Mr Holzberger	Mrs Phillips	Ms Watson-Brown
Ms Coffey	Mr Husic	Ms Plibersek	Mr Watts
Ms Coker	Ms Jarrett	Mr Rae	Ms White
Ms Collins	Ms Jordan-Baird	Mr Repacholi	Mr J Wilson
Ms Comer	Mr Katter	Ms Rishworth	Ms Witty
Mr Conroy	Ms Kearney	Ms Rowland	Mr Zappia

* Tellers

And so it was negatived.

- 11:38:27 AM

Dr Scamps, by leave, moved amendments (1) to (4) together.

- 11:43:21 AM

Debate ensued.

Mr Butler, 11:43:26 AM.

- 11:47:09 AM

Amendments negatived.

- 11:47:22 AM

Bill agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

- 11:47:35 AM

On the motion of Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

- 11:48:03 AM

11Universities 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—

- 11:48:15 AM

Cognate debate with Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.

- 11:48:17 AM

Debate resumed by Mr Leeser who moved, as an amendment—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 ensued.

Mr Giles, 12:15:03 PM. Mr T Wilson, 12:23:32 PM. Ms Campbell, 12:31:00 PM. Dr M Ryan, 12:46:09 PM. Dr Garland, 12:57:42 PM. Ms Le, 1:09:54 PM.

- 1:16:31 PM

Ms Clutterham addressing the House—

- 1:30:00 PM

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Ms Clutterham was granted leave to continue her speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 1:30:10 PM

12MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Ms Chaney, 1:30:15 PM. Mr D Smith, 1:31:51 PM. Mr Venning, 1:33:15 PM. Mr Soon, 1:34:48 PM. Ms Landry, 1:36:10 PM. Ms K Cook, 1:37:27 PM. Mr R Wilson, 1:39:00 PM. Ms Jarrett, 1:40:47 PM. Mr Conaghan, 1:42:20 PM. Ms Miller-Frost, 1:43:53 PM. Mr Wallace, 1:45:17 PM. Mr Laxale, 1:46:55 PM. Ms Sharkie, 1:48:22 PM. Mr Repacholi, 1:49:54 PM. Mr T Wilson, 1:51:19 PM. Ms Briskey, 1:52:51 PM. Mr Hogan, 1:54:26 PM. Ms Jordan-Baird, 1:56:00 PM. Ms Bell, 1:57:30 PM. Ms Coffey, 1:59:08 PM.

- 2:00:58 PM

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, made a statement relating to the terrorism charge laid over the alleged attempted bombing at an Australia Day rally in Perth.

- 2:04:52 PM

Ms Ley (Leader of the Opposition), by indulgence, made a statement on the same matter.

- 2:06:00 PM

13QUESTIONS

- 2:06:05 PM

(1)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

Point of order, Mr Tehan. 2:09:33 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:10:17 PM.

- 2:10:55 PM

(2)Mrs Elliot to Mr Marles (Deputy Prime Minister)

- 2:14:16 PM

Distinguished visitor announced.

- 2:14:29 PM

(3)Dr Haines to Ms McBain (Minister for Emergency Management)

- 2:17:51 PM

(4)Mr French to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:21:54 PM

(5)Mr Ted O’Brien to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:25:17 PM

(6)Ms Ambihaipahar to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 2:28:11 PM

(7)Mr L O’Brien to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)

Point of order, Mr L O’Brien. 2:29:06 PM. Mr Bowen, 2:29:57 PM.

- 2:31:08 PM

(8)Ms Lawrence to Mr Burke (Minister for Home Affairs)

- 2:34:55 PM

(9)Ms Ley to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 2:38:32 PM

(10)Ms Chesters to Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing)

- 2:42:06 PM

(11)Mr Chester to Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy)

- 2:43:53 PM

(12)Mr Mitchell to Mr Clare (Minister for Education)

- 2:47:19 PM

(13)Mr Ted O’Brien to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

Point of order, Mr Ted O’Brien. 2:49:57 PM. Mr Albanese, 2:50:39 PM.

- 2:52:01 PM

(14)Ms Scrymgour to Ms McBain (Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories)

- 2:54:16 PM

Member directed to leave

At 2.55 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.

- 2:54:27 PM

Questions without notice continued.

Ms McBain, 2:54:39 PM.

- 2:56:08 PM

(15)Mr Joyce to Dr Chalmers (Treasurer)

- 2:57:25 PM

(16)Mrs Phillips to Ms O’Neil (Minister for Housing)

- 3:00:49 PM

(17)Mr Gee to Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government)

- 3:02:43 PM

(18)Ms Campbell to Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)

- 3:06:05 PM

Question to Speaker, Mr Tehan, re: review of a point of order on relevance.

Point of order, Mr Burke. 3:06:35 PM.

- 3:07:26 PM

14Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 22 of 2025-26—Performance statements audit—Performance statements of major Australian Government entities—Outcomes from the 2024-25 audit program: Across entities.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

- 3:07:45 PM

15Appropriations and Administration—Standing Committee—REPORT

The Speaker presented the following document:

Appropriations and Administration—Standing Committee—Report No. 34: Additional estimates 2025-26—Report, February 2026.

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

- 3:08:01 PM

16DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Australian Law Reform Commission—Report for 2024-25.

Family Law Council—Report for 2024-25.

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority—Report for 2024-25.

National Archives of Australia—Report for 2024-25, incorporating the report of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

- 3:08:12 PM

17DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—Government spending

The House was informed that Mr T Wilson had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Government’s decision to punish Australian families and small business by failing to rein in reckless spending resulting in higher interest rates”.

- 3:08:27 PM

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

- 3:08:34 PM

Mr T Wilson addressed the House.

- 3:18:33 PM

Discussion ensued.

Dr Aly, 3:18:35 PM. Mr Violi, 3:28:52 PM. Ms K Cook, 3:33:57 PM. Mr Rebello, 3:39:00 PM. Point of order, Dr Aly. 3:40:54 PM. Mr Rebello, 3:41:11 PM. Mr Moncrieff, 3:44:03 PM. Mr Venning, 3:48:56 PM. Ms Doyle, 3:53:58 PM. Ms Bell, 3:59:02 PM. Mr D Smith, 4:04:08 PM.

- 4:09:07 PM

Discussion concluded.

- 4:09:33 PM

Mr Gorman, by indulgence, made a statement associating himself with the remarks made by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition on the terrorism charge laid over the alleged attempted bombing at an Australia Day rally in Perth.

- 4:11:42 PM

18MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE—Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Message No. 72, 5 February 2026, from the Senate was reported returning the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 with amendments.

- 4:12:03 PM

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.

- 4:12:17 PM

On the motion of Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), the amendments were agreed to.

- 4:13:31 PM

19Universities 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. 11, page XX)—

Debate resumed.

- 4:13:39 PM

Cognate debate with Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.

Ms Clutterham, 4:13:57 PM.

- 4:15:31 PM

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

- 4:15:41 PM

20Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Laxale presented the following document:

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025: Also reporting on review of Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (compulsory questioning powers)—Report, February 2026.

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

- 4:16:23 PM

Mr Laxale, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

- 4:19:45 PM

21Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

Debate resumed.

- 4:19:52 PM

Cognate debate with Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.

- 4:19:59 PM

Ms Chaney addressing the House—

- 4:30:01 PM

22ADJOURNMENT

It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Ms Spender, 4:30:18 PM. Ms Byrnes, 4:35:26 PM. Mr Young, 4:40:29 PM. Mr Burnell, 4:45:15 PM. Ms Aldred, 4:50:17 PM. Ms Briskey, 4:55:21 PM.

- 5:00:32 PM

The House continuing to sit until 5 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 10 am on Monday, 9 February 2026.

- 5:00:34 PM

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 5 February 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Corporations Act 2001—ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2026/48 [F2026L00080].

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Mogurnda adspersa) (Murray-Darling Basin population) (433) Determination 2026 [F2026L00081].

Federal Financial Relations Act 2009—Federal Financial Relations (National Partnership Payments—2025-26 Payment No. 8) Determination 2026 [F2026L00079].

Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983—Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Amendment Determination 2026 (No. 1) [F2026L00072].

- 5:00:36 PM

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except *Mr Burns, Ms M M H King, *Mr Neumann, *Ms Payne, *Dr Reid and Ms Wells.

* On leave

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