The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Sue Lines ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to allow a motion relating to the consideration of legislation to be moved and determined immediately.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [10:06]
(The President—Senator Lines)
The Senate divided. [10:10]
(The President—Senator Lines)
That a motion relating to the consideration of legislation may be moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [10:13]
(The President—Senator Lines)
The Senate divided. [10:16]
(The President—Senator Lines)
That:
(a) the questions on all remaining stages of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025 be put following 60 minutes of consideration; and
(b) paragraph (a) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142.
The Senate divided. [10:19]
(The President—Senator Lines)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025
The committee divided. [10:27]
(The Chair—Senator Brockman)
(2) Schedules 1 and 2, page 3 (line 1) to page 6 (line 26), to be opposed.
The committee divided. [10:39]
(The Chair—Senator Brockman)
(1) Clause 2, Page 2 (at the end of the table), add:
(2) Page 18 (after line 9), at the end of the Bill, add:
Schedule 8 — Loss of deductible gift recipient status for supporting illegal occupation
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
1 At the end of subsection 30-125(1)
Add:
Note: However, the entity is not entitled to be endorsed if the entity has supported an illegal occupation (see section 30-150).
2 At the end of subsection 30-125(2)
Add:
Note: However, the entity is not entitled to be endorsed if the entity has supported an illegal occupation (see section 30-150).
3 After section 30-130
Insert:
30-150 No entitlement to endorsement for entities supporting illegal occupation
(1) An entity is not entitled to be endorsed as:
(a) a *deductible gift recipient (despite subsection 30-125(1)); or
(b) a *deductible gift recipient for the operation of a fund, authority or institution (despite subsection 30-125(2));
if the entity has supported an *illegal occupation.
(2) The *Foreign Affairs Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a declaration specifying an occupation of the whole or part of a territory as an illegal occupation .
Application in relation to non-legal persons
(3) An entity that is:
(a) a partnership; or
(b) a trust; or
(c) an unincorporated body or association;
is taken to have supported an *illegal occupation if an accountable person for the entity has supported the illegal occupation in the person's capacity as an accountable person for the entity.
Definitions
(4) For the purposes of this section, an accountable person for an entity is:
(a) in the case of a partnership—a person who is a partner in the partnership; or
(b) in the case of a trust—a person who is a trustee of the trust; or
(c) in the case of an unincorporated body or association—a person who is a member of the governing body or committee of management (however described) of the unincorporated body or association.
(5) For the purposes of this section, an entity has supported an *illegal occupation if the entity has in any way (whether directly or indirectly) advocated, prepared, planned, assisted in, financed, fostered, supported (within the ordinary meaning of that expression), participated in or contributed to the establishment, maintenance or expansion of the illegal occupation.
4 Subsection 995-1(1)
Insert:
illegal occupation : see subsection 30-150(2).
5 Application of amendments
Section 30-150 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 , as inserted by this Schedule, applies in relation to entities that have supported (within the meaning of that section) an illegal occupation after the commencement of this item, whether:
(a) that support began before or after that commencement; or
(b) the entity is endorsed, or proposed to be endorsed, before or after that commencement.
The committee divided. [10:55]
(The Temporary Chair—Senator Marielle Smith)
(1) Clause 2, Page 2 (at the end of the table), add:
(2) Page 18 (after line 9), at the end of the Bill, add:
Schedule 7 — Animal welfare gift deductibility expansion
Income Tax Assessment Act 1997
1 Subsection 30-45(1) (cell at table item 4.1.6, column headed "Fund, authority or institution")
Repeal the cell, substitute:
2 Application of amendments
The amendments of item 4.1.6 of the table in subsection 30-45(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 made by this Schedule apply in relation to gifts or contributions made on or after the first 1 July to occur after the commencement of this item.
The committee divided. [11:21]
(The Temporary Chair—Senator Kovacic)
SHEET 3681
(1) Schedule 2, item 1, page 5 (line 28) to page 6 (line 8), omit paragraphs 992AB(4)(d) and (e), substitute:
(d) the requirement in either subsection (4A) or (4B) is satisfied; and
(2) Schedule 2, item 1, page 6 (after line 13), after subsection 992AB(4), insert:
(4A) The requirement in this subsection is satisfied if:
(a) the advertisement or statement occurs after the time the employer, or the employer's agent, makes a request (the stapled fund request ) under subsection 32R(1) of theSuperannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 in relation to the employee; and
(b) if, in response to the stapled fund request, the employer is notified under subsection 32R(2) of that Act that the Commissioner is satisfied that there is a stapled fund for the employee—the advertisement or statement occurs at or after the time the employer, or the employer's agent, notifies the employee:
(i) that the Commissioner is satisfied that there is a stapled fund for the employee; and
(ii) about the details that the employer was notified about in relation to the stapled fund request under subparagraph 32R(2)(b)(ii) of that Act.
(4B) The requirement in this subsection is satisfied if:
(a) the advertisement or statement occurs after the time the employer, or the employer's agent, makes a request (the regulated fund request ) under subsection (4C) in relation to the employee; and
(b) if, in response to the regulated fund request, the employer is advised under subsection (4D) of a regulated superannuation fund of which the employee is a member—the advertisement or statement occurs at or after the time the employer, or the employer's agent, notifies the employee about the information the employer was advised about under subsection (4D) in relation to the regulated fund request.
(4C) For the purposes of subsection (4B), the employer, or the employer's agent, may request a trustee of a complying superannuation fund or scheme (within the meaning of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 ) to identify any regulated superannuation fund of which the employee is a member.
(4D) If a trustee receives a request under subsection (4C) and the trustee is aware that the employee is a member of a particular regulated superannuation fund, the trustee may advise in writing the employer or the employer's agent (as applicable) of the following information:
(a) the regulated superannuation fund of which the employee is a member;
(b) details necessary for the employer to make contributions to that fund for the benefit of the employee.
_____
SHEET 3686
(1) Schedule 2, page 6 (after line 26), at the end of the Schedule, add:
3 Review of operation of amendments
Requirement to conduct review
(1) The Minister must cause a review to be conducted of the operation, effectiveness and implications of the amendments made by this Schedule.
Matters review must consider
(2) Without limiting subitem (1), the review must consider any impact of the amendments on the following:
(a) duplicate superannuation accounts;
(b) competition between superannuation funds;
(c) member engagement;
(d) compliance costs for employers and service providers.
Timing of review
(3) The persons conducting the review must complete the review before the end of 2 years after the commencement of this item.
(4) For the purposes of subitem (3), the review is completed on the day after the day the report of the review is given to the Minister.
Minister to be given report of review
(5) The persons conducting the review must give the Minister a written report of the review.
Minister to table copy of report of review
(6) The Minister must cause a copy of the report of the review to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report.
_____
SHEET 3688
(1) Schedule 2, item 1, page 4 (line 30), omit "Note:", substitute "Note 1:"
(2) Schedule 2, item 1, page 4 (after line 30), after the note, insert:
Note 2: To avoid doubt, nothing in this subsection prohibits an advertisement or statement that would not be expected to induce an employee to choose a superannuation product, such as an advertisement or statement generally referring employees to the YourSuper comparison tool on the Australian Taxation Office website.
_____
SHEET 3689
(1) Schedule 2, item 1, page 6 (after line 23), at the end of section 992AB, add:
Date of effect of section
(6) This section takes effect on a day specified in an instrument under subsection (7).
(7) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify a day for the purposes of subsection (6).
(8) However, the Minister must not specify a day unless and until the Minister is satisfied that such arrangements and systems are in place as would ensure the Commissioner of Taxation is able to respond to all requests under subsection 32R(1) of the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 with sufficient certainty as to:
(a) whether there is a stapled fund for an employee; and
(b) any details required to be notified under subparagraph 32R(2)(b)(ii) of that Act.
(9) The specified day must not be later than 3 months after the day the Minister is first satisfied as required by subsection (8).
_____
SHEET 3691
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 3), omit "Schedule 2", substitute "Schedules 2 and 2A".
(2) Page 6 (after line 26), after Schedule 2, insert:
Schedule 2A — Annual performance reporting for stapled fund requests
Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992
1 At the end of section 32R
Add:
Annual reporting
(4) The Commissioner must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, prepare a report on the Commissioner's activities under this section during the financial year.
(5) The report must (without limitation):
(a) include statistics of the following:
(i) requests received by the Commissioner under subsection (1) to identify stapled funds for employees;
(ii) notifications given by the Commissioner under subsection (2) in response to such requests and the time taken to provide such responses;
(iii) changes made by the Commissioner under subsection (3) to earlier notifications; and
(b) consider whether, and to what extent, the Commissioner was able to accurately:
(i) identify stapled funds for employees in response to requests under subsection (1); and
(ii) notify the details required by subparagraph (2)(b)(ii) in relation to such requests; and
(c) consider the effectiveness of requests and responses under this section for the purposes of the operation of subsection 992AB(4) (about exceptions for certain MySuper products to the ban on advertising superannuation products during onboarding) of the Corporations Act 2001 ; and
(d) any other matters the Minister directs the report to consider.
(6) The Commissioner must give a copy of the report to the Minister by no later than 30 September after the end of the financial year to which the report relates.
(7) The Minister must cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report.
_____
SHEET 3693
(1) Schedule 2, item 1, page 6 (after line 23), after section 992AB, insert:
992AC Guidance for ban on superannuation product advertising during onboarding
(1) ASIC must develop and publish guidance about compliance with section 992AB, including the operation of the prohibition in subsection (1), and the exceptions in subsections (2) to (5), of that section.
(2) The guidance must (without limitation):
(a) set out an intended approach to the administration of that section in both the short and long term; and
(b) include examples of:
(i) conduct that may contravene the prohibition; and
(ii) circumstances that may be covered by the exceptions.
(3) The first guidance under subsection (1) must be published before the end of 30 days after the commencement of this section.
The committee divided. [11:30]
(The Chair—Senator Brockman)
High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026
This achievement reflects years of dedication from global leaders and the unwavering advocacy of partners—
like the High Seas Alliance. While we—
celebrate this moment, we also recognize the immense work still ahead to translate this agreement into real protections for marine biodiversity.
This book outlines the great natural wealth of the Australian continent in landscape and in flora and in fauna.
This wealth is part of our heritage. It belongs to the Australian people and it is a source of wonder and interest to all who visit us. We must protect it for future generations, for it is a legacy man cannot replace and must not destroy.
"Australia's National Parks" makes a valuable contribution to conservation, to the efforts of our conservationists and to the sum of our knowledge of the unique features of our environment. It will help towards a greater understanding and enjoyment of the land in which we are privileged to live.
(1) Clause 4, page 4 (line 9), after "measures", insert ", such as the establishment of a marine protected area,".
(2) Clause 5, page 9 (after line 30), after the definition of marine genetic resource , insert:
marine protected area has the same meaning as in the BBNJ Agreement.
(3) Clause 54, page 49 (line 6), after "area-based management tool", insert ", including a marine protected area,".
(4) Clause 58, page 52 (line 5), after "area-based management tool", insert ", including a marine protected area,".
(1) Clause 62, page 55 (line 20), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(2) Clause 63, page 56 (line 14), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(3) Clause 98, page 87 (line 21), omit "1,000", substitute "5,000".
(4) Clause 99, page 89 (line 4), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(5) Clause 100, page 89 (line 22), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(6) Clause 101, page 90 (line 15), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(7) Clause 102, page 91 (line 9), omit "1,000", substitute "5,000".
(8) Clause 103, page 92 (line 20), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(9) Clause 104, page 93 (line 12), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(10) Clause 105, page 94 (line 5), omit "500", substitute "5,000".
(11) Clause 116, page 109 (after line 22), at the end of the clause, add:
Maximum penalty — certain contraventions by a body corporate
(4) Despite subsection 82(5) of the Regulatory Powers Act, the pecuniary penalty that a relevant court may order a body corporate to pay for a contravention of a civil penalty provision in Part 3 or 4 of this Act must not be more than 10 times the pecuniary penalty specified for the civil penalty provision.
Note: Under subsection 82(5) of the Regulatory Powers Act, for a contravention of any other civil penalty provision of this Act by a body corporate, the pecuniary penalty imposed for the contravention must not be more than 5 times that specified for the provision.
That this bill be now read a third time.
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
What will it take for the Commonwealth to intervene in state and territory youth justice systems? Is the torture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the standard to compel Commonwealth intervention, as we witnessed with the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre? Is the removal of detention as a last resort and the introduction of 20-year mandatory minimum sentences in Queensland's legislation grounds for Commonwealth government intervention?
We have all the evidence we need to know that what we are doing right now is not the solution. … Each state and territory is taking a different approach, but it is clear that none of these have the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people at heart. In the words of a child incarcerated who I sat with, 'The only way you get heard is to yell and scream.' So here we are as commissioners, guardians and advocates for all the children across this country, yelling and screaming—figuratively of course—on behalf of all children incarcerated.
Agreements without meaningful action and without accountability for inaction are nothing more than an exercise in appeasement.
Each box represents a portfolio. Shadow cabinet ministers are shown in bold type
There is not a supply problem … there is some unusual demand behaviour.
… we've got our refineries working full pelt and not exporting any diesel or petrol … we are continuing to see our fuel supply being strong.
Australia is exporting fuel because of regulation brought forward by him—
because of his emissions obsession …
That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by opposition senators today.
Despite the messaging that there is enough supply in the system, this is not the lived experience of many across rural and regional NSW who are facing daily decisions about how to use their remaining supplies.
That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Australian Greens senators today.
That business of the Senate No. 2 be postponed to the next sitting day.
That leave of absence to be granted to myself from 12 May to 7 September 2026, for personal reasons.
That leave of absence be granted to the following senators:
(a) Senators Gallagher and O'Neill for today, for personal reasons;
(b) Senator Farrell for today, on account of ministerial business; and
(c) Senator McCarthy for today and tomorrow, on account of ministerial business.
That general business notice of motion No. 421 be postponed until the next sitting day.
That the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Regulations 2026 be referred to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 April 2026.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report as expeditiously as is practicable:
Australian Federal Police—Proposed fitout of leased premises, 949 Ann Street, Brisbane.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the Minister representing the Minister for Communications has failed to comply with order for the production of documents no. 37, agreed to on 28 July 2025, relating to the development of legislative instruments for the social media ban,
(ii) in a letter relating to a subsequent order requiring the tabling of an explanation of the basis for the minister's public interest immunity claim, the Minister for Communications advised that no further information is available regarding the claim, and
(iii) no further information has been provided since the Minister representing the Minister for Communications' attendance of the Senate on 29 October 2025; and
(b) requires that there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, by 5 pm on 17 April 2026, any documents that would have been within the scope of the order and that were created between the initial response to the order on 13 August 2025 and 10 March 2026, inclusive.
The Senate divided. [15:44]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That, to enable senators to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives for an address by Her Excellency the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday, 24 March 2026—
(a) the hours of meeting be 1 pm till adjournment;
(b) items in the routine of business specified to commence at a particular time commence one hour later; and
(c) divisions may take place between 1 pm and 2.30 pm and between 3 pm and 6.30 pm, and if a division is called for between 2.30 pm and 3 pm during senators' statements, it shall be taken at a later hour of the day.
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 23 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation, letters, briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes, meeting minutes, emails and instant/electronic messages, created between 14 December 2025 and 20 January 2026 inclusive, between the Minister for Home Affairs and/or his office and the Department of Home Affairs in relation to the development of the:
(a) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026;
(b) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 ; and
(c) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 .
The Senate divided. [15:49]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 23 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation, letters, briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes, meeting minutes, emails and instant/electronic messages, created between 14 December 2025 and 20 January 2026 inclusive, between the Attorney-General and/or her office and the Attorney-General's Department in relation to the development of the:
(a) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026;
(b) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Act 2026 ; and
(c) Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 .
The Senate divided. [15:54]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than midday on 26 March 2026, all written or digital documents, correspondence, briefing notes, file notes, meeting notes, meeting agendas or minutes or other records of interaction from 5 to 11 March 2026, between the Treasurer or their office and the Treasury relating to the roundtables with economists attended by the Treasurer on 6 March 2026.
That—
(a) the Senate notes that order for production of documents no. 304, relating to the distribution of the goods and services tax, has not been complied with; and
(b) if the order is not fully complied with by midday on Wednesday, 25 March 2026:
(i) the Minister representing the Treasurer attend the Senate on Thursday, 26 March 2026, immediately before government business is called on, to provide an explanation, of no more than 5 minutes, of the failure to fully comply with the order, and
(ii) any senator may move to take note of the explanation (5 minutes per speaker; 30 minutes overall).
That—
(a) the Senate notes that order for production of documents no. 383, relating to under-16 social media accounts, has not been complied with; and
(b) if the order is not fully complied with by midday on Wednesday, 25 March 2026:
(i) the Minister representing the Minister for Communications attend the Senate on Thursday, 26 March 2026, immediately before government business is called on, to provide an explanation, of no more than 5 minutes, of the failure to fully comply with the order, and
(ii) any senator may move to take note of the explanation (5 minutes per speaker; 30 minutes overall).
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education, by no later than 27 March 2026, the medium term Budget estimates in dollars to 2025-26 for the Child Care Subsidy by year, on the basis of mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education, by no later than 27 March 2026, a document setting out the latest available tertiary admission data for the 2026 academic year, including disaggregation by university of admission, field of education and course, state or territory of admission and domestic or international student status.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 20 April 2026:
(a) all current and historical terms of reference, workplans, designation agreements and any amendments or renewals for the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centres for drug quality assurance and for the quality assurance of vaccines and other biologicals;
(b) all correspondence, emails, meeting minutes, reports and briefings between the TGA (or Department of Health) and the WHO relating to these collaborating centre designations, including annual progress reports submitted to WHO, invitations for input on WHO standards/guidance and any discussions on regulatory alignment or influence since 2015;
(c) any documents, including internal advice and memos, assessing the implications of these WHO collaborating centre affiliations for TGA's independence, decision-making on therapeutic goods approvals or Australian sovereignty in medicines/vaccines regulation; and
(d) a list of any WHO-requested activities, technical support provided or changes to TGA processes resulting from these affiliations.
The Senate divided. [16:00]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) on 27 August 2025, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 119, relating to the Home Guarantee Scheme, requiring the Minister representing the Treasurer to comply with the order by no later than midday on Tuesday, 2 September 2025,
(ii) since that order was agreed to, the Senate has agreed to a further 3 motions concerning the minister's failure to comply with the order, rejected the public interest immunity claim raised by the Minister for Housing and required the Minister representing the Minister for Housing to attend the Senate to provide an explanation of the failure to comply with the order,
(iii) on 5 March 2026, pursuant to an order agreed to by the Senate on 4 March 2026, the Minister representing the Minister for Housing attended the Senate to provide an explanation of the failure to comply with the order,
(iv) the explanation provided by the minister was not satisfactory and did not address the minister's failure to comply with the order, and
(v) the order has still not been complied with; and
(b) requires that the Minister representing the Minister for Housing attend the Senate after the consideration of private senators' bills on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, to provide a further explanation, of no more than 5 minutes, of the failure to comply with the order or to respond in full to the order, and that:
(i) any senator may move to take note of the explanation, and
(ii) any such motion may be debated for no longer than 30 minutes and shall have precedence over all other business until determined, and senators may speak to the motion for not more than 5 minutes each.
The Senate divided. [16:09]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That the Senate—
(a) notes the Minister representing the Minister for Education has failed to comply with order for production of documents no. 370, agreed on 4 March 2026; and
(b) requires the Minister representing the Minister for Education to comply with the order by no later than midday on 25 March 2026.
The Senate divided. [16:13]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by no later than 26 March 2026, the following documents relating to the Integrated Assessment Tool and Support at Home classification system:
(a) any documents relating to changes or modifications made to the Integrated Assessment Tool following the 2023 live trial and prior to the commencement of the new Aged Care Act, including any updates to the tool's designs, methodology or operation;
(b) any technical documentation describing the criteria and methodology used by the algorithm underpinning the Integrated Assessment Tool;
(c) any briefings, correspondence or advice between the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, the office of the minister and the department relating to the decision to implement the Integrated Assessment Tool in its current form, including consideration of the absence of human override mechanisms for the Support at Home program;
(d) any documents, figures or data relating to assessment reviews lodged since 1 November 2025, including:
(i) the total number of reviews lodged,
(ii) the number of reviews completed, and
(iii) the average and maximum timeframes taken to resolve those reviews; and
(e) any correspondence received by the department or the minister from stakeholders, assessors, aged care providers, advocacy organisations or members of the public raising concerns regarding the outcomes or operation of the Integrated Assessment Tool.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 24 April 2026:
(a) copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation, letters, briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes, meeting minutes, emails and instant/electronic messages, created after 20 January 2026, between the Minister for Home Affairs and/or his office and the Department of Home Affairs in relation to reports that a contractor that supplies firearms to the New South Wales Police Force (NSW Police) had been blocked from importing more than 250 firearms for NSW Police due to the cancellation of import permits caused by the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Act 2026 , and
(b) copies of all letters and other correspondence between the Minister for Home Affairs and/or his office, the Department of Home Affairs and NSW Police in relation to the reports referred to in paragraph (a).
The Senate divided. [16:17]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 30 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation, letters, briefing notes, meeting agendas, file notes, meeting invitations, meeting notes, meeting minutes, emails and instant/electronic messages between the Attorney-General and/or her office, the Attorney-General's Department, Royal Commissioner for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, the Honourable Virginia Bell AC SC and/or her office and Mr Dennis Richardson AC in relation to Mr Richardson's resignation from the position of Special Advisor to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and the circumstances surrounding said resignation.
The Senate divided. [16:21]
(The Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
"The Government must impose a gas export levy of at least 25% on mega-profiting gas companies, using the revenue to support Australians being smashed by spiralling fuel and energy costs."
… imposing new costs on the gas industry would freeze gas production in this country, and a tax on gas exports, as was proposed by those opposite in the last election, would discourage investment in the new supply we need to back up our transition to net zero.
The Albanese Government's failure to manage fuel supply and distribution, resulting in fuel shortages and service stations running out of fuel, adding to the cost of living pressures already being faced by Australian families and small businesses.
That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:
The Albanese Government's failure to manage fuel supply and distribution, resulting in fuel shortages and service stations running out of fuel, adding to the cost of living pressures already being faced by Australian families and small businesses.
This and previous governments have continually failed to meet the internationally mandated 90 days stockpile of fuel for the people of this nation. That means this government has put at risk the fuel security of our daily transport needs: our defence, our aviation industry, our mining and our commuter needs. Without this internationally mandated 90-day stockpile of fuel, Australia risks coming to a grinding halt.
Every single ship that was due to land here has landed here.
We're aware of six boats that have been cancelled …
The Senate divided. [17:30]
(The President—Senator Lines)
That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as follows:
Economics Legislation and References Committees —
Discharged—Senator Canavan
Appointed—
Senator McDonald
Participating member: Senator Canavan
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation and References Committees —
Discharged—Senator Canavan
Appointed—
Senator Cadell
Participating member: Senator Canavan
Senators' Interests — Standing Committee —
Discharged—Senator Canavan
Appointed—Senator Cadell
That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 September 2026:
(a) the scale, nature and drivers of waste, fraud and abuse within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);
(b) the adequacy of existing safeguards, compliance, auditing, investigative and enforcement mechanisms to detect, prevent and respond to waste, fraud and abuse;
(c) qualifications of workers under the scheme;
(d) the role of National Disability Insurance Agency processes, registered and unregistered providers, intermediaries, participants, nominee arrangements and any other relevant entities or persons in contributing to or preventing waste, fraud and abuse;
(e) the financial impact of waste, fraud and abuse on the sustainability of the NDIS and on taxpayers;
(f) the impact of waste, fraud and abuse on NDIS participants, including the diversion of resources away from Australians with genuine need;
(g) distortionary impacts of increased wages and fees for service under the scheme on the labour market and other industries;
(h) the impact of the scheme on the housing market and construction costs;
(i) the appropriate scope, powers and priorities of a Royal Commission into waste, fraud and abuse within the NDIS;
(j) any legislative, administrative or governance reforms required to strengthen oversight, restore public confidence and protect the integrity of the NDIS; and
(k) any other related matters.
Having to pay people to enable the freedom that so many take for granted and having to work around their schedules as much as your own is not laziness or rorting the system. It's the reality of disabled life. A reality intentionally warped and distorted by the media, politics and people in power.
Disabled people are not the enemy. We're not a problem to push aside. We're not a budget or bottom line to balance nor a political football.
So many people work tirelessly every day including myself, to shift archaic perceptions and ideas of who disabled people are and the potential we could have. Reporting and fearmongering like this only sets us backward.
That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 September 2026—
(f) the impact of waste, fraud and abuse on NDIS participants, including the diversion of resources away from Australians with genuine need;
(f) the impact of waste, fraud and abuse on NDIS participants, including the diversion of resources away from Australians with genuine need.
(a) the scale, nature and drivers of waste, fraud and abuse within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);
(b) the adequacy of existing safeguards, compliance, auditing, investigative and enforcement mechanisms to detect, prevent and respond to waste, fraud and abuse;
(c) qualifications of workers under the scheme;
(d) the role of National Disability Insurance Agency processes, registered and unregistered providers, intermediaries, participants, nominee arrangements and any other relevant entities or persons in contributing to or preventing waste, fraud and abuse;
(e) the financial impact of waste, fraud and abuse on the sustainability of the NDIS and on taxpayers;
(f) the impact of waste, fraud and abuse on NDIS participants, including the diversion of resources away from Australians with genuine need;
(g) distortionary impacts of increased wages and fees for service under the scheme on the labour market and other industries;
(h) the impact of the scheme on the housing market and construction costs;
(i) the appropriate scope, powers and priorities of a Royal Commission into waste, fraud and abuse within the NDIS;
(j) any legislative, administrative or governance reforms required to strengthen oversight, restore public confidence and protect the integrity of the NDIS; and
(k) any other related matters.
Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
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
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) incarceration of children causes long-term harm to their development, safety and wellbeing,
(ii) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are significantly over-represented in youth detention and are 20 times more likely to be in custody than non-Indigenous children due to a range of factors,
(iii) reducing over-representation of First Nations young people in the justice system is a key target of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap,
(iv) in response to the over-representation and long-term harm of detention for First Nations children, human rights experts, medical and legal bodies and 40 countries in the latest United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review, have called on Australia to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years old; and
(b) calls on Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility for all children to at least 14 years of age".
As a government, our task is to ensure no one is held back and no one is left behind.
That means confronting the challenges, while also recognising the strength, innovation and leadership in communities.
I want to know whether Senator Price has made any mandatory reports about these matters and whether she has raised them directly with the CLP Minister for Child Protection Robyn Cahill or is she simply grandstanding again?
Comments like this not only vilify our culture but also undermine the hard work being done by families, communities, and frontline workers to protect children and keep them safe.
Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are aliened from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.
Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026