The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That further statements on Rhoda Roberts AO be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 30 March 2026, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Delegation — United Kingdom and Poland 9-15 November 2025.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.15 am.
Speech time limits —
Mr Neumann — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS CHANEY: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 , and for related purposes. (Interactive Gambling Amendment (Stop the Gambling Ads) Bill 2026 )
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 MR JOYCE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 , and for related purposes. (Australian Citizenship Amendment (Stripping Terrorists of Australian Citizenship) Bill 2026 )
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
3 MR HAMILTON: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia's fuel security remains dangerously exposed, with the nation holding among the lowest levels of sovereign fuel reserves in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development;
(b) Australia imports over 90 per cent of its refined fuel, leaving critical supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, regional instability, and global market disruptions;
(c) regional, rural and transport-dependent communities are disproportionately exposed to fuel supply disruptions, particularly in the heavy vehicle and agricultural sectors;
(d) recent volatility in global fuel markets and the Government's failure to respond has massively increased costs for households and businesses, exacerbating cost of living pressures; and
(e) the Minister for Climate Change and Energy has:
(i) failed to deliver a comprehensive, whole-of-government fuel security strategy;
(ii) prioritised the net-zero energy transition without adequately safeguarding short-term liquid fuel resilience;
(iii) provided no clear contingency plan for maintaining diesel supply in the event of major import disruption; and
(iv) failed to provide certainty or support to transport operators exposed to volatile spot market fuel pricing;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) fuel security is a matter of national security, economic stability, and community resilience; and
(b) reliable access to diesel is essential for freight, agriculture, mining, emergency services, and regional supply chains;
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) urgently develop and implement a national fuel security plan, including increased onshore storage and refining capability;
(b) provide targeted support to transport operators, particularly small and owner-driver businesses, impacted by fuel price volatility;
(c) establish clear minimum stockholding obligations to meet or exceed international benchmarks; and
(d) deliver transparent reporting to Parliament on Australia's fuel security position and preparedness; and
(4) condemns the Minister for Climate Change and Energy for:
(a) failing to ensure Australia's fuel security at a time of increasing global uncertainty;
(b) neglecting the needs of regional Australia and the transport sector;
(c) placing ideological energy priorities ahead of practical national resilience; and
(d) being absent in a time of crisis, choosing to attend Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings instead of managing the crisis facing Australia.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hamilton — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR REPACHOLI: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) the conclusion of negotiations between Australia and the European Union (EU) to secure a free trade agreement, which will:
(i) deliver significant economic benefits to Australian consumers, workers, producers and exporters by opening the doors of the EU's $30 trillion economy and 450 million consumers;
(ii) eliminate tariffs on almost all Australian exports to the EU;
(iii) guarantee new and significant market access for Australian farmers and producers, creating more well paid jobs here at home; and
(iv) reduce costs for Australian consumers and businesses by making imports from the EU cheaper by cutting tariffs; and
(b) that the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement will make EU investment in Australia easier, creating more jobs and supporting economic growth; and
(2) notes that in times of turbulence in global trade, Australia is strengthening our partnerships across the world.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Mr Repacholi — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS BOELE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) under the Fuel Tax Credits (FTC) scheme introduced in 2006, Australian consumers can claim a tax credit for certain fossil fuels used in machinery, and for certain heavy and off-road vehicles;
(b) the FTC scheme cost the Australian taxpayer $10.8 billion in 2025-26;
(c) by 2028-29, the cost of the FTC scheme is forecast to reach $13.1 billion federally, at a rate of growth higher than growth in spending on a range of social services, including disability assistance, childcare subsidies and aged care;
(d) the Government has a legislated target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050;
(e) the Department of the Treasury's 2025 modelling shows that current government emissions reductions policies are insufficient for achieving that target;
(f) Australia's economy continues to be subject to geopolitical shocks which impact the availability and cost of fuel; and
(g) the FTC scheme is one of the largest headwinds for the Australian economy to electrify, a critical aim for meeting both our net zero emissions targets and supporting Australia's energy independence and therefore national security; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) undertake an orderly phase out of the FTC scheme; and
(b) consider, for that purpose, the introduction of a transition tax incentive with the following elements:
(i) a cap of $50 million annually, per consolidated corporate entity, to the FTC scheme (so that it will not apply to small users of the FTC scheme, such as farmers and small businesses); and
(ii) permit receipts by consolidated corporate entities above $50 million to be retained for capital expenditure in eligible electrification infrastructure and technology investments and to enable an orderly phase-out of fuels eligible for the FTC scheme.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 25 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Boele — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 MS BRISKEY: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government is delivering on its commitments to ensure that more Australians have a safe and secure place to call home by:
(a) working with the states and territories to make renting easier, fairer, and more affordable;
(b) backing first home buyers with the expanded five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers and the Help to Buy scheme; and
(c) building more homes, including more social and affordable homes around the country; and
(2) acknowledges that this housing delivery is already changing the lives of Australians who otherwise may not have had an opportunity to access home ownership or put a roof over their head.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Briskey — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 HOUSING : Resumption of debate ( from 23 March 2026 ) on the motion of Mr Caldwell—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government has made Australia's housing crisis worse than ever by:
(a) expanding the 5 per cent deposit scheme from a sensible and targeted approach, to an uncapped and non-means tested free-for-all which has supercharged house prices by 3.6 per cent in just one quarter, and exposed first home buyers including young Australians to larger mortgages;
(b) creating the failing Housing Australia Future Fund which has $11.4 billion within it but has built only 895 houses in two and a half years of operation; and
(c) proposing to fiddle with the capital gains tax and negative gearing, which is dressed up as an equity measure but will not actually result in the construction of new dwellings;
(2) notes that the Government is overseeing a historic collapse of housing construction, with dwelling completions now running at around 170,000 each year, whereas 200,000 dwellings were completed annually under the previous Government, while the population has grown by more than 1.6 million since the Government came to power; and
(3) further notes that the Government is already running more than 80,000 dwellings short of the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes by mid-2029, and modelling by the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council says the Government will not reach its own target, falling more than 60,000 dwellings short.
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 EDUCATION SYSTEM: Resumption of debate ( from 9 February 2026 ) on the motion of Ms J Ryan—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the start of the 2026 school year and the Government's record investment in Australian public schools through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement;
(2) notes that this agreement represents the largest Commonwealth investment in public schools by any Australian Government ever and is tied to important reforms to lift student outcomes;
(3) recognises the importance of teachers and the steps the Government is taking to tackle the teacher shortage;
(4) further notes that new data shows more Australians are choosing to study teaching, supported by important measures to help more people start and finish teaching degrees including through:
(a) Commonwealth Paid Prac for teaching students;
(b) Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships; and
(c) reforms to strengthen teacher training;
(5) further acknowledges the national effort being undertaken with states and territories to prevent and respond to bullying in schools; and
(6) affirms that the Government continues to invest in schools, support teachers, and is committed to building a better and fairer education system.
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 MS PENFOLD: To move—That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) the vital role of neighbourhood and community centres in providing essential social services to individuals and communities in need, particularly in the regions;
(b) neighbourhood and community centres provide critical relief and emergency support where other services do not exist; and
(c) the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly and selflessly for others;
(2) expresses concern that many centres are underfunded and heavily reliant on ad hoc competitive grant funding from state and Commonwealth governments; and
(3) calls on the Government to provide long-term operational funding and dedicated infrastructure funding to secure the future of neighbourhood and community centres and the services each provide to people in desperate need of help.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Ms Penfold — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices — continued
4 MR PIKE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges increasing reports from participants, families and service providers that the Government's mismanagement of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is resulting in reduced support packages, particularly for those with complex and high needs;
(2) notes evidence provided through National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) answers to Questions on Notice from Supplementary Budget Estimates showing that:
(a) eligibility reassessments increased from 12,366 in the fourth quarter of 2024-25 to 21,189 in the first quarter of 2025-26;
(b) reassessments resulting in revoked eligibility surged from 389 to 10,202 over the same period; and
(c) plan reviews led to a reduction of $436 million from participant plans in the first quarter of 2025-26;
(3) recognises the reports that these changes are often occurring behind the scenes, with limited explanation or transparency provided to participants and their families;
(4) condemns any approach to scheme sustainability that prioritises cutting participant supports over addressing systemic issues such as waste, red tape and fraud; and
(5) calls on the Government to restore transparency, consistency and accountability in decision making, including clear communication of reasons for funding changes and a renewed focus on fixing inefficiency and safeguarding the integrity of the scheme.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 25 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Pike — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MS AMBIHAIPAHAR: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the rare convergence of Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Lent, which all commenced within 24 hours of the 17th of February 2026;
(b) this alignment has not been seen since the 19th century; and
(c) that other significant celebrations, including Holi and Passover, are also being observed by communities at this time;
(2) acknowledges and thanks the volunteers, faith leaders and community organisations who work tirelessly to mark these occasions and bring our communities together;
(3) recognises that these celebrations, across cultures and faith traditions, share common themes of reflection, generosity, renewal and hope; and
(4) affirms that Australia's diversity is one of our great national strengths, and that moments like this remind us that our many traditions together form part of the shared Australian story.
(Notice given 23 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Ambihaipahar — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
6 MR VENNING: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes reports of fuel wholesalers rationing petrol and diesel across Australia, raising serious concerns about fuel supply;
(2) condemns the Government's failure to reassure Australians that a plan is in place to protect the nation's fuel security;
(3) recognises Australia is a diesel-reliant economy, with fuel critical to transporting food, pharmaceuticals and essential goods;
(4) further notes the former Government introduced the Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Act to strengthen monitoring of Australia's fuel supplies; and
(5) calls on the Government to urgently outline its fuel security strategy and use its powers to identify and protect industries at risk of fuel shortages, including farmers, fishers, manufacturers and transport operators.
(Notice given 10 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Venning — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MR LAXALE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's work to make the super system fairer from top to bottom, helping workers earn more, keep more of what they earn, and retire with more;
(2) notes the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026, securing more super for around 1.3 million Australians, including around 750,000 women and 550,000 young people under the age of 30, through boosting the low-income superannuation tax offset and better targeting tax concessions for large balances; and
(3) notes that the superannuation system was built by a former Labor Government and this Government has fought to protect and strengthen it, including by:
(a) lifting the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent;
(b) paying super on paid parental leave; and
(c) legislating payday super.
(Notice given 24 March 2026.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Laxale — 5 minutes
Other Members — 5 minutes
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day — continued
3 COST OF LIVING: Resumption of debate ( from 23 March 2026 ) on the motion of Mr Rebello—That this House:
(1) notes that the cash rate has risen to 3.85 per cent, marking the 13th interest rate increase under the Government;
(2) recognises new data showing a record 760,100 Australians aged 65 and over are now in the workforce, the highest level since records began in 1995;
(3) expresses concern that nearly 100,000 more older Australians feel it necessary to work or delay retirement or are returning to work due to cost of living pressures;
(4) condemns the Government's economic mismanagement and unchecked debt fuelled spending, which has contributed to rising inflation and increasing household costs for power, rent, groceries and mortgages; and
(5) calls on the Government to take urgent action to address the cost of living crisis, curb spending pressures driving inflation, and ensure older Australians are not forced to delay retirement due to financial hardship.
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 APPRENTICESHIPS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: Resumption of debate ( from 2 March 2026 ) on the motion of Mr Laxale—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) is delivering real outcomes, with over 11,400 housing apprentice commencements in the first six months;
(2) commends the Government for prioritising apprentices to build more houses through providing $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in housing construction trades in instalments across the apprenticeship to support commencements and completions;
(3) recognises the Government's other measures to support apprentices, including increasing the allowance for apprentices living away from home for the first time in more than 20 years, while also doubling support for employers hiring apprentices with a disability;
(4) supports these measures as vital steps towards building a skilled workforce and addressing the worst skills shortage in 50 years which was left unaddressed by the previous Government; and
(5) further recognises that National Centre for Vocational Education Research data shows there were 22 per cent more apprentices in training within the construction sector at 30 June 2025 compared to 30 June 2019.
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
THE HON D. M. DICK MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
25 March 2026
Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026
Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (2026 Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026
Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a third time.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:
(1) the Member for Calare presenting a bill for an Act to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 , 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.
That the debate be adjourned.
The House divided. [10:35]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025
Australia's international human rights obligations require prohibition of genetic discrimination
Australia's international human rights obligations, including Article 6 of the United Nations Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights (UDHGHR) and Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) … require a prohibition on discrimination based on genetic characteristics, and …specifically refers to discrimination in the offer of life insurance.
(1) Schedule 1, item 3, page 10 (line 18), omit "each fifth anniversary", substitute "each third anniversary".
The House divided. [11:32]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. Terry Young)
(1) Schedule 1, item 3, page 5 (lines 22 and 23), omit "Regulations made for the purposes of this subsection have effect despite anything else in this section.".
(2) Schedule 1, item 3, page 6 (lines 26 to 28), omit "Regulations made for the purposes of this subsection have effect despite anything else in this section.".
Regulations made for the purposes of this subsection have effect despite anything else in this section.
The House divided. [11:47]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. Terry Young)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026
That the resumption of the debate on the motion to take note of the minister's statement on the B etter and fairer schools agreements progress report be referred to the Federation Chamber.
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a third time.
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026
The only option to see a specialist is to ring around and see how much they charge.
We know the vast majority of doctors charge reasonable and proportionate fees and disclose the costs of treatment and charges to their patients. However, some doctors do charge high fees. This website is an important step in improving understanding and transparency of medical costs.
In further warning signs for the sector, gold-tier policies are in decline as consumers face rising premiums and cost-of-living pressures. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the number of gold-tier policies have dropped by 360,000, despite the overall number of policies growing.
Across Australia, too many people are doing the same, travelling long distances or unable to travel, worried about accessing the care they need.
How much will this cost me?
What if I can't afford it?
How long will I have to wait and how far will I have to travel?
They're getting bills they didn't expect, or they're avoiding a referral altogether because they don't know what it will cost.
The Minister recently told Parliament that over 800,000 Australians delayed specialist care last year because of affordability. That is a serious problem. Australia has one of the best health systems in the world and every Australian should be able to access affordable, high-quality specialist care without risking financial hardship.
But many patients face a different barrier. They can't see a specialist at any price, because there isn't one locally. Rural Australia has 2.7 doctors per thousand people compared to Cities which have 4.3. Potentially preventable hospitalisations are 30 per cent higher in outer regional areas and 70 per cent higher in remote communities.
Thirty per cent of the country's population are too often overlooked, and for too long, our health system has been built around metropolitan centres. The consequences of that are felt every day in regional communities. The communities that grow and provide our food and much more!
Patients need two things from us: high-quality care they can afford and high-quality care they can actually access.
I'm pleased to announce that today we are publicly releasing the CPMC Professional Framework on Ethical Billing and Fee Transparency.
That unity sends an important message—that Professionalism includes how we communicate and are transparent about cost.
We have as much fuel in Australia today as we had on the day Iran was attacked.
The ATA stands today with the Government, with the union, with our employers and with our small operators in … support of this announcement.
In the middle of a national fuel crisis, the Prime Minister's broken promise to govern for all Australians.
At a time when farmers are getting smashed by devastating water buybacks, skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs, we've been hung out to dry for the sake of getting the deal done.
Australian farmers are extremely disappointed. They will now pay the price for this subpar EU deal for decades to come.
… we have been misled by an apparently disingenuous trade negotiation, with amateurs playing a game against professionals.
The deal that has been struck is simply appalling for agriculture and regional Australia …
To land a deal so far below what other suppliers have secured is genuinely bewildering.
Australia's sheep producers have been sold out.
This is a horrendous outcome for Australia's cane growers …
It's a capitulation to protectionist European sugar interests, plain and simple.
This is shaping up as a perfect storm for producers.
By any measure, the Government's report card on this deal is a failing grade, delivering one of the weakest free trade agreement outcomes for our sector to date …
It's not free trade, it's just more market access for the EU …
They dump their produce into Australia, at a cost, because of the protectionism of their domestic market.
I like fighting Tories. That's what I do.
… exactly what I thought might happen. It's trading away—
our right to farm and we, as grain growers, livestock producers will just be taxed more to meet the green economy.
At a time when farmers are getting smashed by devastating water buybacks and skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs, we've been hung out to dry for the sake of getting the deal done.
The deal that has been struck is simply appalling for agriculture and regional Australia and delivers nothing to address the trade imbalance to the EU.
The only contribution of the member for Lindsay has been to mislead the House about a statement by the Premier of New South Wales yesterday …
… demand management procedures are required—that might be rationing …
National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026
National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026
Returned from Senate
Messages received from the Senate returning the bills without amendments.
Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026
We are appalled at this current situation—
We, a retired couple, whom have worked extremely long and hard (beyond retirement age) to secure a self funded retirement, so as not to burden this country or our government by asking for financial assistance, are once more targeted by this Labour Party.
We recently received an email informing us that on April 1, our private health insurance will increase by $50 a month. This is due to price increases under Labour's policies …
We feel this next increase, will drive deserving, frail and ailing older people from private health insurance and will increase a multitude of issues in our public healthcare system and their services.
Shame on you!
without this treatment, I will not be able to see… This is the second time I have had to complain about the way our Labor Government is treating people like myself.
I am a carer for my husband. I would not be able to afford injections if the rules change. We live in regional NSW and have no other option. If I lose my sight, I will not be able to drive. Who will look after my husband?
…when you take money from young Australians and lock it up in super, they can't do other things, like afford private health insurance or homeownership.
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) while the government is advancing broader economic and health reforms, out-of-pocket costs of receiving specialist medical care continue to rise in a way that exacerbates cost-of-living pressures;
(2) consumer price indexation figures show that 'medical and hospital services' increased by 4.2 per cent in the 12 months to January 2026, outpacing headline inflation;
(3) medical and hospital services should be non-discretionary items, however costs have resulted in approximately one million Australians missing out or delaying specialist care every year; and
(4) while the measures in this Bill will improve price transparency, further reforms are needed to keep specialist healthcare affordable for all Australians, including fixing specialist billing practices, extending Medicare rebates across specialists, indexing Medicare rebates in line with inflation and reviewing gap fee limits".
After reviewing and listening to the views of older Australians, we will no longer be proceed with the change so people can continue with their existing arrangements with their existing clinician and won't see an increase in their out-of-pocket costs.
That all words after "whilst" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1) notes that:
(a) since 2008, average private health insurance premium growth has exceeded inflation, average weekly earnings and Medicare Benefits Schedule indexation;
(b) over the six years to June 2025, insurers' benefits for in-hospital treatment rose only 18.1 per cent, while sector profits grew by nearly 50 per cent in the same period;
(c) the current benefit payout ratio is still below the Federal Health Minister's 90 per cent benchmark; and
(d) there are no standard terms and conditions for private health insurers' 'no-gap' and 'known-gap' contracts with doctors; and
(2) calls on the Government to establish an independent Private Health System Authority to better regulate, review and oversee the private health system, to ensure value for consumers and that Australians' changing health needs are met".
That all words after "not" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1) acknowledges that while the bill introduces important measures to improve transparency and accountability in the private health insurance system, these reforms rely on decisions made by the Minister or a delegated authority;
(2) notes the Government, regulators and agencies have not consistently demonstrated strong accountability in decision-making timeframes in recent years, including in areas such as environmental approvals and delays within the Administrative Review Tribunal;
(3) recognises that delays in the approval or refusal of new or amended insurance products risk slowing the intended benefits of new products and may ultimately disadvantage Australians; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) establish and enforce clear timeframes within Schedule 2 of this legislation for decisions on new product applications from insurers, and to adhere to those timeframes in practice; and
(b) establish and enforce clear timeframes across other government departments, regulators, and agencies to ensure that decisions are made in a timely way to allow businesses and Australians greater certainty of timeframe on government decisions".
The widespread practice of phoenixing is a major factor in consumers struggling to access the level of cover that meets their needs …
Private Healthcare Australia has welcomed the Federal Government's legislation to upgrade the Medical Costs Finder website, saying it is a critical step toward tackling Australia's growing specialist fee crisis.
The AMA has pushed hard for Medicare rebates and insurer benefits to be included on the Medical Costs Finder, so that patients get the full picture of why they may face an out-of-pocket cost …
Private health insurance premiums have outpaced wages and inflation in recent years, all while insurers' management expenses and profits continue to soar … The widespread practice of phoenixing is a major factor in consumers struggling to access the level of cover that meets their needs, and it is eroding public confidence in the private health system.
We have delayed multiple maintenance callouts due to the cost. We are living with no lights in one room, no working aircon and plumbing issues. We have tried to grow some of our own food due to the crazy increases at the supermarket.
Raw Deal—Sugar Shortchanged in EU Deal
CANEGROWERS has slammed the outcome for sugar in the long-awaited Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement as a complete failure, saying it fails cane farming families and Australian sugar manufacturers and falls well short of what producers had been seeking.
"This is a horrendous outcome for Australia's cane growers," CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.
"For the past decade we have made our needs abundantly clear to the Australian Government … There is no meaningful commercial access for sugar in this deal.
"The market access Australia has achieved is extremely small—less than 2% of Europe's import requirement and well below what Brazil and its Mercosur partners secured last year, which was around four times larger than Australia's outcome."
"Compounding this, the deal delivers no growth, no pathway to expand access and effectively locks growers into a bad deal for the next generation.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Lawrence ) took the chair at 09:30.
They have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate.
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026
I and most Australians want our immigration policy radically reviewed and that of multiculturalism abolished. I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians.
They have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate.