Clerk, I first offer my congratulations to all senators who have been sworn in today—those returning and, particularly, those who are new. Clerk, noting that the office of President has become vacant, I move:

That Senator Lines take the chair of the Senate as President.

The Clerk: Are there any further nominations?

I move:

That Senator Allman-Payne take the chair of the Senate as President.

The Clerk: Are there any further nominations?

I would like to nominate Senator David Pocock, and I move:

That Senator David Pocock take the chair of the Senate as President.

The Clerk: I invite each of the senators nominated for President to address the Senate to indicate whether they accept the nomination.

Thank you, Clerk. I humbly accept the nomination. Firstly, congratulations to all senators sworn in today and, particularly, to new senators. Welcome to this wonderful chamber. I wish you well in your time here.

I am seeking your support today to be the President of the Senate. If you bestow that honour on me, I will continue to carry out the role of President in the impartial way that I've shown to this chamber over the last three years. It is an extraordinary privilege to preside over the Australian Senate. This chamber is grounded in tradition, where the voices from every state and territory are brought together to represent and review the laws that shape our nation. My role as President is not to take sides but to ensure that every voice is heard—and heard in a respectful way—and that our rules and procedures are applied with consistency, clarity and integrity. I will continue to do my utmost to be a fair and consultative president if I am so honoured as to be elected today.

As only the second female President to hold this role, it is significant to me to look back at what I have achieved in my first term as President and at the ideas and aims I still have to accomplish. I look forward to you putting your trust in me and supporting me to continue my work as President of the Senate. Thank you, senators.

I'm pleased to accept this nomination to highlight that this place should not be a cosy club where the two major parties get together and stitch up how the chamber operates. The government needs to be reminded that, while it has a majority in the House of Representatives, it doesn't have a majority here in the Senate. The government has just over a third of senators in this place; the opposition also has just over a third and the crossbench just under a third. This Senate has been given a mandate by the Australian people to carefully scrutinise legislation, not to provide a tick and flick to the government.

This election continued the long-term trend of a collapse in support for the major parties. At this election, like the one before it, people elected a balance-of-power Senate. For too long, the major parties have used their collective majority in this place to determine how the Senate operates. This cosy stitch-up between the major parties is not serving our country, and it is not serving the people of Australia.

One thing that I would note is that the Senate takes pride in its role as a house of review. A president that is not drawn from the ranks of the major parties can act truly without fear or favour and would be an asset to this place. I will also say that, given the behaviour in this place at certain times, it wouldn't hurt to have someone in the chair who brings almost 30 years of experience as a high school teacher!

I'm accepting this nomination to make sure that the almost two million people who voted for the Australian Greens at the election get their voices heard and that the third of the country who voted for someone besides the major parties get their voices heard. I accept this nomination and ask all senators, particularly my crossbench colleagues, for their support. I submit myself to the will of the Senate.

David POCOCK (—) (): Thanks, Senator Hanson. I'm very flattered that you would put me forward. I'd like to congratulate you on your election result. I was as surprised by that as I think people in New South Wales were in game 3 of the State of Origin. Again, I am flattered. My focus is very much on representing the people of the ACT. I do acknowledge that there is a convention in this place, and, while I disagree with much of it, in this instance I will quietly decline the nomination. Thank you.

The Clerk : Unless any other senator wishes to address the nominations, a ballot will be now held. Before proceeding to a ballot, the bells will be rung for four minutes.

The bells having been rung—

The Clerk: The Senate will now proceed to a ballot. Please write on the ballot paper the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. The candidates are Senator Lines and Senator Allman-Payne.

A ballot having been taken—

The Clerk: Honourable senators, I announce the result of the ballot as follows: Senator Lines, 55 votes; Senator Allman-Payne, 12 votes; and five informal votes. Senator Lines is therefore elected President of the Senate in accordance with the standing orders.

Senator Lines having been conducted to the dais—

Thank you very much, senators, for the honour and privilege that you have bestowed upon me today. Thank you, Senator Allman-Payne, for participating in this ballot here today. It's always good to see the democratic processes in place. I'd like to thank the outgoing deputy president, Senator Andrew McLachlan, for his work as deputy and, in particular, for his work as Chair of Committees. I applaud his collegiate and insightful contributions to the difficult decisions that we as presiding officers made in the 47th Parliament. The reforms that the Deputy President led to ensure that our temporary chairs are well supported will continue, and I thank him for that work.

As I said in my nomination speech, it is an extraordinary privilege to preside over the Australian Senate. This chamber is grounded in tradition, where the voices from every state and territory are brought together to represent and review the laws which shape our nation. I'm incredibly proud to have presided over the full adoption of the Jenkins review and the passage of all relevant legislation. I have been, and will continue to be, a steady and firm hand, striving for better standards of behaviour in this chamber while working predominately behind the scenes to ensure we foster a place of fierce but respectful debate.

In my first term I was able to represent Australia on the international stage to strengthen our relationships with other parliaments. I'm particularly proud to hold an executive position in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and to have led a bipartisan delegation to China and Mongolia—the first visit in over seven years by a parliamentary delegation.

Since taking the role, I have worked hard to ensure the people's house is welcoming and accessible. That includes the establishment of an elders pass and our elders room, the establishment of our artist-in-residence program and the commemoration of significant events through our illumination program on the facade of this amazing building.

I am thankful to have worked with impressive people in the departments that I oversee, including the Clerk, the Usher of the Black Rod and everyone at the Department of the Senate, the Department of Parliamentary Services, the Parliamentary Budget Office and the Parliamentary Education Office. As we look ahead to the 48th Parliament, I know that this chamber will continue to be a forum for rigorous debate but also for cooperation and respect through our absolutely stellar committee system. I look forward to working with all of you, and I thank all senators for the honour today of electing me as President.

I rise on behalf of the government to congratulate you on your re-election as President of the Senate. It is a bipartisan tradition that the government nominates the President of the Senate, and, whilst this is often a partisan place, I do want to publicly thank again the Senate and, in particular, Senator Cash and her team for continuing to respect this longstanding convention.

I'd like to make some comments about Senator Lines's excellent work representing the interests of the Senate both within this building and beyond. These are the reasons that the government has nominated her for re-election. Senator Lines has demonstrated her signature passion and commitment to make the parliament safe, accessible and welcoming to all Australians, including in the ways that she has described in her speech, by welcoming visitors to open day and illuminations on the Parliament House facade and by the introduction of passes specifically for local elders and traditional custodians of land, to recognise their generosity in welcoming us to country.

I particularly want to commend the President on her leadership and efforts to implement the recommendations of the Set the standard report and her efforts to make this workplace safer and more respectful for all. In this, we all have a responsibility, and in this there is much more work to do.

Finally, as Leader of the Government in the Senate and as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I want to recognise the President's contribution to Australia's standing in the world. This includes hosting Prime Minister Marape of Papua New Guinea—the first ever Pacific islands leader to address this parliament—and leading the first parliamentary delegation to China in over half a decade. Senator Lines has the respect and support of senators across this chamber, and I am confident in her as the principal defender of the role and the authority of this Senate. On behalf of the government, President, I congratulate you and wish you continued success.

President, I rise on behalf of the opposition to congratulate you on your re-election today in accordance with, as Senator Wong has stated, the longstanding convention in this place that the party of government nominates the President of the Senate. As you are well aware, this is a position of great responsibility—one that is at the heart of the traditions, dignity and proper functioning of this chamber and of the wider parliamentary democracy.

The President of the Senate has a unique and significant duty within our system of government. As President, you are entrusted with maintaining order in the chamber, ensuring that the standing orders are properly observed and upholding the long-established rules and conventions that give this place its authority. In fulfilling this responsibility, it is incumbent upon you in the role to act with impartiality and fairness, allowing the Senate to debate with vigour and passion while ensuring that decorum is maintained and that all senators, regardless of party or persuasion, are heard in accordance with the rules.

You are also the guardian of the rights and privileges of this chamber and of its members. We are all aware that that is no small responsibility. The proper functioning of this place depends not only on robust debate but also on the confidence of all senators that their rights will be respected and protected. It is through your stewardship that this confidence must be reinforced.

The opposition affirms our commitment to supporting the proper conduct of the Senate's business. While our duty requires us to hold the government to account, we equally recognise our responsibility to ensure that this Senate operates as it should—as a house of review, a forum for the states and a vital part of Australia's democratic fabric. Again, congratulations, President, on behalf of the opposition.

On behalf of the Australian Greens, I offer you our congratulations on returning to your role as President of this chamber and I acknowledge that we have an awful lot of work to do, because people are really doing it tough and the planet is on fire. I look forward to a constructive term of government, and I also want to acknowledge that it was great to have two women nominated for the role. Naturally, we backed our lady because she's fabulous, but we wish you all the very best in your role.

I wish to inform senators that the Governor-General would be pleased to receive the President and senators in the Members Hall at 2.30 pm.

Sitting suspended from 11:33 to 14:25

President, the Governor-General will be pleased to receive you and senators in the Members Hall immediately.

Senators, I invite you to follow me to the Members Hall.

Sitting suspended from 14:25 to 15:00

The President and honourable senators proceeded to the Members Hall and having returned—

Senators, as you are aware, props are disorderly and out of place in this chamber. Today, during the Governor-General's speech, that behaviour was incredibly disorderly and disrespectful—particularly as it was on the opening of the 48th Parliament, which represents a pinnacle in our democracy. Senator Faruqi, you are a deputy leader. I expect you to show some leadership on behaviour in this chamber. I will take time to further consider this matter and will come back to the chamber.

I report that, accompanied by honourable senators, this afternoon I presented myself to the Governor-General as the choice of the Senate as President. The Governor-General presented me with a commission to administer to senators the oath or affirmation of allegiance. I table the commission.

I inform the Senate that I have received a copy of the opening speech which Her Excellency the Governor-General delivered to both houses of parliament.

Ordered that consideration of the Governor-General's opening speech be made an order of the day for the next day of sitting.

by leave—I move:

That standing order 3(4) be suspended to enable the Senate to consider business other than that of a formal character before the address-in-reply to the Governor-General's opening speech has been adopted.

Question agreed to.

by leave—I advise the Senate that, following the election held on 3 May 20 2025, in which the Australian Labor Party was re-elected, having won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives, the Governor-General commissioned the Prime Minister to form a government. Ministers and assistant ministers were appointed on 13 May 2025. For the information of senators, I table a list of the full ministry, which includes representation arrangements.

I also wish to inform the Senate that I have been elected as Leader of the Government in the Senate and that Senator Farrell has been elected as Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate. Senator Gallagher has been appointed as Manager of Government Business in the Senate, and Senator Chisholm has been appointed as Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate. I can also advise that Senator Sheldon has been elected as the Chief Government Whip—I do not think that will change his necktie position, regrettably; there are some things a leader can change and others they can't—and that Senators Grogan and Darmanin have both been elected as deputy government whips in the Senate. I congratulate all office holders and ministers, and, as I said, I table the ministry list and seek leave to have it incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

Each box represents a portfolio. As a general rule, there is one department in each portfolio. However, there can be two departments in one portfolio.

Cabinet Ministers are shown in bold type. Assistant Ministers in italics are designated as Parliamentary Secretaries under the Ministers of State Act 1952.

I advise the Senate that, following a Liberal Party Senate party room meeting post the election, I was re-elected Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. I welcome the continuation, following her successful re-election, of Senator Ruston as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. I also acknowledge the re-election of Senator Bridget McKenzie, who continues in her role as the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate. I further advise the Senate that Senator Wendy Askew has been re-elected as Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, along with Senator Blyth and Senator Collins, who have both been elected deputy opposition whips. I inform the Senate that Senator Jonno Duniam will serve as Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate and that Senator Paul Scarr will assist him as the Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

I also congratulate our senators on their various appointments to the shadow ministry. I congratulate all senators on their appointments in this place following the election. I particularly congratulate Senator Jess Collins, who has joined our ranks. I offer my congratulations to government senators and, particularly, to those senators who have been appointed to ministerial and assistant minister roles. I acknowledge Senator Wong as the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

The coalition takes very seriously our role to be a responsible opposition, working in this chamber with the crossbench elected by the Australian people to hold the government to account and to represent the views of our constituents, our communities and all Australians. I seek leave to table the shadow ministry list and have it incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

*Contingent upon the result in the Division of Bradfield

I advise the Senate that I've been elected as the Leader of the Australian Greens—

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!

thank you—and that Senator Faruqi has been elected as our deputy leader. I further advise that Senator Hanson-Young continues as our excellent manager of business, Senator McKim continues as our whip and Senator Allman-Payne is our deputy whip. Congratulations to all of those office holders and to all of those in other parties as well. I table the Greens' office holder and portfolio responsibilities list for the 48th Parliament and seek leave to have it incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

by leave—I'd like to inform the chamber that I've gone unchallenged as the leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. I don't have any deputy, but I've got three fantastic right-arm men behind me. Thank you.

I seek leave to make a short statement relating to office holder arrangements for the Nationals.

Leave granted.

I advise the Senate that, as Senator Cash on behalf of the coalition advised, I've been elected as Leader of the Nationals and that Senator McDonald has been elected deputy leader. I further advise that Senator Canavan is the National Party Whip in the Senate and Senators McDonald and Cadell and I are deputy whips. I'd like to advise that Senator Cadell should be designated as a whip for the purposes of standing order 24A, relating to the Senate Standing Committee for the Selection of Bills. Thank you.

by leave—I forgot to inform the chamber that I am also the whip of Pauline Hanson's One Nation—to put that on the record.

by leave—I advise the Senate that I should be designated as a whip for the purposes of standing order 24A, relating to the Senate Standing Committee for the Selection of Bills.

by leave—I advise the Senate that I should be designated as a whip for the purposes of standing order 24A, relating to the Senate Standing Committee for the Selection of Bills.

by leave—I advise the Senate that I should be designated as a whip for the purposes of standing order 24A relating to the Senate Standing Committee for the Selection of Bills.

There being no further statements, I congratulate all those who've been named.

I remind senators that the Senate should now choose one of its members to be Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

I move:

That Senator Brockman be appointed Deputy President and Chair of Committees.

Are there any other nominations for Deputy President and Chair of Committees? There being no further nominations, Senator Brockman is elected Deputy President and Chair of Committees in accordance with the standing orders, and I congratulate Senator Brockman on his election.

President, I seek leave to make a very brief statement.

Yes, I believe leave is granted.

I want to acknowledge Senator Lines's successful election as President and acknowledge Senator McLachlan's work in the previous parliament in this role.

I rise on behalf of government senators to congratulate Senator Brockman on his election as Deputy President and Chair of Committees, and I again thank the chamber for continuing to respect the longstanding convention of the government of the day nominating the President of the Senate and the opposition of the day nominating the Deputy President, but I note that it was only in relation to the first that there was some disruption in the chamber.

Senator Brockman would be aware, as are all senators, that his predecessor, Senator McLachlan, set a very high standard in the role of Deputy President, and, as the President did on her re-election this morning, I do want to pay public tribute in this chamber to Senator McLachlan for his service in this role and the manner in which he acquitted responsibilities. I have been in this chamber a long time and I know those parliamentarians for whom the institution really matters, and Senator McLachlan is one of those parliamentarians. He was a fair and even-handed chair who respected our parliamentary traditions and conventions and collaborated with the President, and, in his leadership of committee chairs, he was determined to reinforce the duty that we all have to exercise our rights and privileges in a civil and responsible way. Can I express to him my thanks—our thanks—for his intervention prior to the 2023-24 budget estimates, which emphasised the role of chairs in maintaining order and reiterated that committee members should treat witnesses with courtesy and respect and that questions be put and answered in an orderly manner.

I know that Senator Brockman appreciates the responsibilities of this role, given he is a former president and brings that experience to this role, and I am confident he will work impartially and diligently to advance the interests of the Senate. The government congratulates you, Senator Brockman, and we wish you all the best in your role.

I rise on behalf of the opposition to congratulate Senator Brockman on his election today as Deputy President of the Australian Senate for the 48th Parliament. As is the convention, as has been noted by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Wong, the government nominates the person to be the President, and the opposition nominates a candidate for the significant role of Deputy President within our parliamentary system.

Senator Brockman's election today is a testament not only to his standing amongst his colleagues but also to the depth of parliamentary experience and wisdom he brings to the role. We are confident that Senator Brockman will fulfil the role with the same skill, dignity and impartiality that have marked his previous service in this chamber. As senators are aware, Senator Brockman has already served this chamber with great distinction as President of the Senate. In that role, he upheld the highest standards of this institution with integrity, fairness and a deep respect for the traditions and procedures that are essential to the Senate's proper functioning. The responsibilities of the Deputy President are significant. The Deputy President plays a vital role in assisting the President in maintaining order, ensuring the fair application of standing orders and overseeing the work of the Senate as the Chair of Committees.

This work requires patience, a deep understanding of parliamentary practice and an unwavering commitment to fairness and impartiality. Senator Brockman, through his past service, has already demonstrated his deep understanding of these responsibilities, his even-handedness, his careful attention to the detail of procedure and his calm and considerate approach to the often unpredictable nature of this place.

On behalf of the opposition, I also acknowledge the service of Senator McLachlan as Deputy President during the 47th Parliament. I extend again to Senator Brockman our congratulations and our support as he takes up this important office.

I rise briefly on behalf of the Australian Greens to congratulate Senator Brockman, a former president now returning as the Deputy President. I'm sure that you will do a great job. Senator McLachlan, you will be really missed in your former role, and I'd like to commend your impeccable chamber management, diligence and fair-handedness. We are sad to see you go.

Thank you, senators. Once again, Senator Brockman, I extend my congratulations to you. I look forward to us working together as the President and the Deputy President and Chair of Committees. Thank you.

Pursuant to standing order 12, I table a warrant nominating senators as temporary chairs of committees when the Deputy President and Chair of Committees is absent. Congratulations to all those who have become temporary chairs.

by leave—I move:

That the Senate meet on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.

Question agreed to.

by leave—I move:

That the Senate adjourn without debate today on the motion of a minister.

Question agreed to.

by leave—I table a non-conforming petition, in the form of an open letter from over 3,000 Australian health professionals making an urgent call for government action in Gaza.

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to various bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings.

I also table statements of reasons justifying the need for the bills to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statements incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The documen ts read as follows—

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2025 SPRING SITTINGS

COMPETITION AND CONSUMER AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN ENERGY REGULATOR SEPARATION) BILL 2025

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025 is to establish the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) as a new non-corporate Commonwealth entity, so that the AER will no longer be a constituent part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The bill will also make consequential amendments to implement administrative and procedural changes to allow continued operation of the AER, clarify the ongoing relationship between the ACCC and the AER (including sharing of information between the two regulators), and establish arrangements permitting the ACCC to provide shared services to the AER and other organisations as necessary.

The intention is to separate the AER from the ACCC in a simple and minimalistic way by amending the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to give the AER a greater degree of independence.

Reasons for Urgency

Passage of the bill in the 2025 Spring sittings is critical to enable a proposed date of establishment of the new entity by 1 July 2026 and allow sufficient operational lead time for the AER and the ACCC to prepare for the separation (including preparation of the AER's standalone corporate functions and systems).

The AER currently operates as a constituent part of the ACCC. Both organisations are part of a single Commonwealth entity that shares staff, resources and facilities. As a result, the AER Board, which is responsible for regulatory functions, does not have direct control over resources and staff, which remain under the ACCC's authority, and this separation of accountability is creating increasing difficulties for the AER as it prepares for legal separation while performing its statutory functions and engaging in a significant data capability uplift program.

The scale and pace of the energy transition requires the AER to operate with greater financial and operational autonomy. A distinctly separate AER will contribute to its overall effectiveness as Australia's energy regulator.

The below reviews have previously highlighted the governance risk for both organisations and made the following observations and recommendations.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy)

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2025 SPRING SITTINGS

HEALTH LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (IMPROVED MEDICARE INTEGRITY AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2025

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the Bill is to support the integrity and sustainability of the Medicare system and respond to recommendations made in the Independent Review of Medicare Integrity and Compliance undertaken by Dr Pradeep Philip (Philip Review). The Bill contains measures to address non-compliant and fraudulent Medicare claims before they are paid, as well as improving recovery arrangements. Additional amendments relating to therapeutic goods and tobacco legislation are required to provide regulatory clarity and support for enforcement and compliance activities.

Reasons for Urgency

Urgent changes are required to address vulnerabilities in the Medicare system. In order to respond to the Philip Review, changes are required to reduce the number of incorrect Commonwealth payments in respect of Medicare programs, and to recover any such payments already made. The measures would enable health regulatory bodies to respond to significant threats to life or health and non-compliance with professional standards. These bodies currently face restrictions in responding to information referred to them involving a risk of harm to patients.

The Government commissioned the Philip Review after reports of extensive Medicare fraud and non-compliance. The Philip Review estimated the cost of non-compliance and fraud in the Medicare system as being between $1.5 and $3 billion per year. The Philip Review stated this amount is likely to increase without changes to Medicare and its legislative framework. Public policy considerations require the integrity of the health system to be appropriately protected, as any loss due to incorrect payments and fraud results in reduced access to health services.

The measures would reduce the usual timeframe for making bulk-billed claims and strengthening information gathering and recovery powers. This would result in savings by reducing the number of incorrect and fraudulent Medicare payments before they are made. If payments have been made, the changes would better enable the recovery of incorrect and fraudulent amounts. One measure was approved at MYEFO 2023-24 and another was approved at Budget 2024-25 with savings of up to $33.6 million. If the Bill is not passed in the current sittings, the recommendations in the Philip Review will not be implemented and the ability of the Commonwealth to address fraud and non-compliance would not be improved.

The Bill would also amend the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to introduce a number of important public health measures that, among other things, would enhance the Department's capacity to manage and alleviate the potentially grave consequences of therapeutic goods shortages in Australia. Additionally, the Bill would amend the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 (Tobacco Act) to improve the integrity and effectiveness of the regulatory regime, particularly for vaping advertisement requirements. The Bill would strengthen compliance and enforcement, including to support responses to illicit trade in tobacco. Delay in passage would significantly impact the ability to ensure compliance with the Tobacco Act in the short term.

All measures have been previously introduced into Parliament, however, that Bill lapsed when Parliament was prorogued in March 2025.

(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Health and Ageing)

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE     IN THE 2025 SPRING SITTINGS

UNIVERSITIES ACCORD (NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION CODE TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE) BILL     . UNIVERSITIES ACCORD (NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION CODE TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE) (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL

Purpose of the Bills

The Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill (the Bill) will establish a new standalone regulatory framework that will hold higher education providers to account for their performance in preventing and responding to gender-based violence through a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence ('National Code').

The National Code will include standards and requirements that all higher education providers must meet, including developing, implementing and embedding a whole-of-organisation approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The Bill will also amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to make compliance with the National Code a quality and accountability requirement for approved higher education providers under that Act.

Reasons for Urgency

This Bill seeks to urgently address gender-based violence in higher education and contribute to the national priority of ending violence against women and children in one generation under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Higher education providers have not done enough to address the alarming rates of sexual violence in the sector, with key reports on the issue dating back to 2017. The Australian Universities Accord Interim report of July 2023 recommended governments address student and staff safety as an urgent priority. This was followed by a report from the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in September 2023 that stated it lacked confidence the university sector will respond appropriately to the crisis of sexual violence in universities without strong intervention.

The National Code, which will be made under this Bill, is this strong intervention. It is the third action of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education, agreed to and released by Education Ministers on 23 February 2024.

Passage of the Bill in the 2025 Spring sittings is critical to ensure the National Code can commence as early as possible in 2026 to protect the safety of students, staff and the wider community.

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Education)

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I, Senator Grogan and Senator McLachlan shall move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 October 2025:

The causes, frequency, scale and duration of recent algal blooms in South Australian marine and coastal environments, with particular reference to:

(a) contributing environmental, land management or water quality factors;

(b) ecological, economic, cultural and social impacts of algal blooms with particular reference to:

(i) tourism, commercial and recreational fishing industries,

(ii) regional and coastal communities, and

(iii) marine biodiversity and ecosystem health;

(c) the cultural and economic impacts on Indigenous communities, including any loss of access to traditional fishing;

(d) the coordination of state and federal government responses, including support, industry engagement and scientific advice;

(e) the current support and recovery arrangements for impacted industries and communities, including:

(i) financial support for fishing, tourism and other impacted businesses,

(ii) community resilience services, and

(iii) research, monitoring and restoration efforts;

(f) the adequacy of long-term monitoring, forecasting and prevention strategies, including funding and institutional support for marine science and environmental data collection; and

(g) any related matters.

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its sadness at the death, on 21 April 2025, of His Holiness Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorje Mario Bergoglio, places on record its gratitude for his life of service, compassion and leadership, and tenders its sympathy to Australian Catholics and people of all faiths who mourn his passing.

Many were surprised when Pope Francis chose a papal name that no pontiff had chosen before. He chose to be named after St Francis of Assisi. As he told the waiting crowd, he wished to follow in the footsteps of 'the man of poverty, the man of peace and the man who loves and protects creation'—and so he did.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 December 1936, he was one of five children born to Italian immigrants. In his early years he worked as a janitor and studied to be a chemical technician, yet he soon found his true calling in the priesthood. Bergoglio joined the Jesuit order in 1958 and was ordained in 1969. When Argentina fell under military rule in 1976, he was forced to navigate the fraught intersection between faith and politics. The kidnapping and torture of two Jesuit priests during this time would leave an indelible mark on him.

In 1998 Bergoglio became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and, in 2001, a cardinal. Amid Argentina's deep economic crisis in the early 2000s, Bergoglio lived simply, travelled by public transport and became known as the 'bishop of the slums' for his visits to the misfortunate. True to the spirit of his namesake, he embodied humility and solidarity with the poor.

When Bergoglio was elected the 266th pope in 2013, he made history as the first non-European pope in 1,200 years, the first Latin American pope and the first Jesuit pontiff. His papacy signalled a new direction for the Catholic Church, one focused on compassion, reform and inclusion.

Pope Francis inherited a Vatican in crisis, facing urgent questions about the role of women, sexuality, historic sexual abuse and financial scandals. He moved quickly to expand the role of women in the church, conferring the ministries of catechist, lector and acolyte upon women.

Pope Francis's words and example encouraged priests and the faithful to welcome all with open hearts. He confronted the church's past failings on sexual abuse, meeting victims personally and revising church law to hold those who covered up abuse accountable.

True to his Franciscan humility, he chose the Vatican guesthouse over the grand papal apartments and preferred a simple Ford Focus to the papal limousine. Pope Francis called for a 'poor church for the poor' and urged the clergy to be 'shepherds with the smell of their sheep'. Although his reforms were not without critics, his love for humanity and determination to leave the world a kinder, more just place were never in question. Pope Francis was indeed the people's pope.

It was the honour of my life to stand with my wife, among more than 200,000 mourners at St Peter's Basilica, together with the Governor-General and former deputy prime minister McCormack, as Australia's representatives to farewell Pope Francis. We had arrived in Rome just in time to sign the condolence book, on behalf of the Australian people, at the apostolic nunciature. We also witnessed the open coffin and touched the closed casket just before it was taken out for the funeral. Before our return to Australia, we visited the Pope's grave at the Basilica of St Mary Major and were among the first foreign delegates to pray at the grave.

I'm deeply grateful to have been raised in the Catholic tradition, and I mourn Pope Francis's passing alongside the entire Catholic community. I will remain forever in Pope Francis's debt for guiding the church through these challenging times with courage and compassion. May he rest in peace.

I wish His Holiness Pope Leo XIV—I have a grandson, now, called Leo—well in fulfilling the highest missions entrusted to anyone. May God bless them both.

I rise on behalf of the opposition to pay tribute to Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936. Pope Francis created several firsts when he was chosen to lead the Catholic Church in 2013. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American and the first born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th century Syrian Pope Gregory III.

Pope Francis was born in Flores, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, in Argentina. He was the eldest of five children of Mario Jose Bergoglio and Regina Maria Sevori. His father was an Italian immigrant and an accountant from Piedmont. His mother was born in Buenos Aires to a family of northern Italian origin. Pope Francis was schooled in Buenos Aires, eventually attending a technical secondary college and graduating with a chemical technician's diploma. In the 1950s, after completing the diploma, he spent several years in the Argentinian capital working in a laboratory run by a company specialising in food hygiene analysis. He also spent time working as a bouncer and a janitor. At the age of 21, he contracted pneumonia and three cysts and had to have part of a lung excised. The illness prompted him to reflect on his life and vocation, but his decision to enter the Jesuit order in 1958 was a culmination of a longer spiritual journey and a growing attraction to the priesthood.

Throughout his early ministry, Jorge Mario Bergoglio embraced the Jesuit tradition of humility, intellectual rigour, service and devotion to the marginalised. These values became the hallmarks of his future leadership. His experiences were shaped by Argentina's social and political upheavals, and his pastoral work during this time instilled in him a profound empathy for those living in poverty and on the edges of society.

Ordained a priest in 1969, he rose to prominence within the Jesuit community, serving as provincial superior for Argentina and later as archbishop for Buenos Aires. His leadership style was marked by an unwavering focus on simplicity, humility and service to the poor. He eschewed the trappings of office, choosing instead to live in modest accommodation, ride public transport and personally tend to his parishioners' needs. These qualities defined his papacy from its very beginning.

On the evening of 13 March 2013, when he stepped onto the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, following the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, it was not as a figure of worldly authority but as the humble servant of God's people. His first words were simple: 'Fratelli e sorelle, buonasera'—'Brothers and sisters, good evening.' In that one sentence, he set the tone for a papacy that would be characterised not by grandeur but by pastoral care, humility and approachability.

Pope Francis's ministry was marked by an unwavering commitment to mercy, compassion and justice. His choice of papal name—which, as a Catholic, I fundamentally appreciated—'Francis', was itself significant: a clear tribute to St Francis of Assisi, renowned for his devotion to the poor and his humility. It was a name that reflected the priorities of his pontificate.

Throughout his tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis consistently championed the rights of the most vulnerable. He called on people of all nations and of all faiths to uphold human dignity, to care for the elderly, the poor, refugees and migrants and to reach out to those on the peripheries of society spiritually, socially and economically. His emphasis on inclusion, mercy and understanding shaped his engagements not only within the church but with leaders of other faiths and with the broader international community.

One of the most significant contributions of Pope Francis was his focus on pastoral care. He encouraged the church to look outward, to meet people where they were and to bring Christ's compassion to bear on the struggles of ordinary life. His words were clear: the church must be a 'field hospital after battle', tending to wounds rather than lecturing on rules. His actions reflected these principles. Pope Francis visited prisoners, the sick, the disabled and the poor. He washed the feet of refugees and prisoners, embraced those suffering from disfigurement and stood alongside those enduring hardship. These were not mere gestures; they were a powerful affirmation of the gospel's call to love without condition.

Pope Francis also worked to bring healing to the church itself. He recognised the deep wounds caused by the tragedy of clergy sexual abuse. Though much work remains, he took significant steps to improve accountability, transparency and the processes for safeguarding the vulnerable. He acknowledged the failures of the church openly and insisted upon the need for repentance, reform and renewal. He repeatedly warned against clericalism, calling on bishops and priests to embrace service over status. In the realm of interfaith relations, Pope Francis built bridges. He sought friendship with the Jewish community, with the Orthodox churches and with leaders across the religious spectrum, recognising the shared responsibility to work for peace and human dignity. Throughout his papacy, he retained his deep pastoral instincts—those of a parish priest concerned above all with the wellbeing of his people. Even as he bore the title of Pope, he continued to live simply, in the Casa di Santa Marta guesthouse rather than in the opulent papal apartments. He travelled light, spoke plainly and retained a humility that had marked his life in Buenos Aires.

Pope Francis's influence was also strongly felt here in Australia. He inspired Australian Catholics, many of whom served faithfully in parishes, schools, hospitals and charities across this nation. His emphasis on compassion and inclusion resonated deeply within the Australian church and has long been at the forefront of social services, education and health care. Here in Australia, his messages found particular relevance in the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, CatholicCare, Caritas Australia and the many religious orders and lay groups who daily put faith into action. He encouraged the church to be out on the streets rather than locked away in self-preservation. His support for Australia's Catholic institutions, from Catholic schools educating nearly 800,000 students across the country to the hospitals and aged-care facilities serving Australians of all backgrounds, has been a source of strength and encouragement to those communities. His call for leaders to listen more and judge less offered comfort to many Australians who felt estranged from the church, reminding them that the doors of faith remain open. Pope Francis also offered encouragement during moments of hardship for the Australian Catholic community, not least during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. His words of support, his prayers for victims and his emphasis on the need for truth and justice were deeply felt by survivors and the clergy.

His later years, unfortunately, were marked by declining health. Despite these challenges, he continued his duties with unwavering resolve. He faced criticism from some quarters and misunderstanding from others, but he never wavered in his mission to bring the love of God to all people. He reminded the church that faith is not about exclusion but about welcome, not about isolation but about engagement. His emphasis on tenderness, understanding and accompaniment reflected the heart of the gospel and brought comfort to many.

Pope Francis's death marks the end of an era, an era defined not by power but by humility and service. Today the opposition honours not only the former head of the Catholic Church but a global leader whose influence extended beyond religious boundaries. He leaves a profound legacy, one of compassion in an age of division, mercy in an age of judgement and faith in an age of doubt. We offer our deepest condolences to the Catholic community in Australia and around the world, who mourn the loss of their Holy Father. We recognise the grief felt by millions who found in him a leader of hope, warmth and humanity. May his soul rest in peace, may his example continue to inspire future generations and may we all, regardless of faith or creed, strive to build a world where kindness triumphs over cruelty, mercy over condemnation and love over indifference. Vale, Pope Francis.

On behalf of the National Party, I'd like to associate us with the beautiful words of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate today and to offer our condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. As the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, his influence spanned continents and generations, offering a voice of faith and conscience in a rapidly shifting world. As a practising Anglican myself and a believer in the enduring authority of Scripture, I speak today with a deep respect for the role the Pope holds within the Christian tradition. Whilst there were many theological and geopolitical positions taken by His Holiness that I do not share, I honour his unwavering personal commitment to the Christian life and his lifelong service to the church.

Pope Francis's papacy was marked by a distinctive emphasis on humility and personal witness. He sought to return the church's attention to the needs of the poor, to the power of mercy and to the Christian call to serve, not be served. In that way, he reflected something profoundly Christ-like and something all leaders, secular or sacred, would do well to remember.

Yet, beyond the institution and its leadership, what I reflect on most at moments like this is the vital role that faith plays in binding communities together. In a time of social atomisation, where institutions are questioned and moral relativism grows, faith—true, personal and scripturally grounded—offers not just comfort but direction. In communities across Australia, our churches remain cornerstones of social cohesion. They are more than buildings; they're places of fellowship, moral instruction, family guidance and intergenerational care.

Faith binds us to each other and roots us in something greater than the present moment. While my views on global policy often differed from those of Pope Francis, I admired his consistency in reminding us that Christian life begins not in ideology but in worship, repentance and service. Pope Francis once urged pastors to be shepherds with the smell of the sheep, a vivid metaphor for leaders who remain close to those they serve, grounded in the realities of everyday life. His words resonate, I believe, beyond the clergy, reminding all in positions of responsibility, whether in faith, public life or community service, that authentic leadership begins with humility, proximity and a deep understanding of the people whose trust you carry.

For Australians, particularly those in the Catholic tradition, his papacy was a call to re-engage with their faith. For the broader Christian community, it was a reminder that the church still has a role to play in the moral formation of our children, the defence of life, the importance of marriage and family, and the preservation of a common good grounded in eternal truth. And, at a time when many may seem to want the church to reflect the world, Pope Francis never ceased to remind us that the church should instead call the world to a higher standard. While the tone and the content of that call may have differed from that of other leaders in the Christian tradition, the essential message remained: Christ is the way, the truth and the life. As we mark his passing, we are also reminded of the temporary nature of human institutions and the eternal nature of divine truth. Leaders come and go, but the gospel remains. The word of God stands forever.

On behalf of the National Party, I extend our condolences to Australia's Catholic community, to all those mourning this loss around the world and to those within the Vatican who supported Pope Francis's ministry. We also offer our prayers for the new pontiff that he might be guided by the Holy Spirit in truth, courage and fidelity, to the teachings of Christ.

In his own words, Pope Francis once said, 'Those who love do not stand idly by but serve others.' This is a truth that I hope everyone in this chamber can affirm. May we carry it forward in our own lives with conviction. May His Holiness rest in the peace of Christ and may those of us entrusted with a public responsibility draw strength from the eternal values of faith, service and truth.

I rise to speak on the formal condolence motion for Pope Francis, a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on the world through his unwavering compassion and dedication to serve all.

Pope Francis, as other speakers have spoken about, was born in Argentina to an Italian immigrant family. He was raised in a very modest household. He learned the values of humility and service from a very young age. He attended a technical secondary school and trained as a chemical technician before discerning his call to the priesthood. Entering the Society of Jesuits in 1958, he embraced a life of discipline, intellectual pursuit and spiritual devotion. For those of us who had the good fortune of going to a Catholic school and being raised by nuns, I think those traits that you learn from a very early age about humility, service and being compassionate help you through your entire life. But he didn't just do it before he became Pope. Pope Francis embodied the essence of humility, always prioritising the needs of the marginalised and impoverished. His commitment to living a very simple life of virtue was evident in every action that he took, and his example continues to inspire millions of Catholics and non-Catholics, which I think is important. Non-Catholics were also inspired by his teachings and his example.

One of the most significant aspects of Pope Francis's papacy was his transformative approach to inclusivity and forgiveness. He tirelessly worked to ensure that the church was a welcoming place for all, regardless of your background and circumstances. He believed that every person was a child of God, deserving of love, respect and compassion. His legacy is a proud one. His efforts to promote inclusivity and reshape the papacy left a lasting legacy of acceptance and understanding. His unwavering belief in forgiveness and compassion set him apart as a true beacon of hope in a world often plagued by division and conflict. He consistently advocated for reconciliation and healing, urging individuals and communities to embrace forgiveness as a path to peace. His teaching on compassion resonated deeply with people from all walks of life, encouraging them to extend kindness and empathy to others. In fact, kindness has been very much a part of today and the Governor-General's address and what she has brought to her position, and that's the role of leaders.

Throughout his life, Pope Francis demonstrated an unshakeable conviction in his beliefs. He fiercely advocated for social justice. He championed the rights of the vulnerable and called for global solidarity in the face of adversity. His unwavering dedication to his principles earned him the respect and admiration of countless individuals worldwide. He was, in fact, the Pope of the people. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, let us remember the profound impact he had on the world, his commitment to living a life of virtue and his transformative approach to inclusivity and forgiveness, which he demonstrated when he became Pope by keeping those same virtues and values. Forgiveness, as I said, was one of his hallmarks that he talked about often. His passion and conviction have left a mark not just on Catholics around the world but on humanity.

Senator Farrell addressed some of the challenges that he faced, whether it was in the Vatican or whether it was child sexual abuse. He actually attempted to address so much of that that had been overshadowing the Catholic Church worldwide. The work that he did in helping to modernise our church actually encouraged me to have hope and compassion and to be forgiving of those who brought that shadow over our church.

In closing, I extend my deepest condolences to all those who mourn the loss of Pope Francis. May his teachings and example continue to guide us in our pursuit of a more compassionate, kind world where we can live in peace together. To Catholics like myself who struggled with their faith, due particularly to the child sexual abuse behaviour, he gave hope. I have a great deal of faith in Pope Leo XIV. He will continue to reform the church. He will continue to show compassion and forgiveness. He will be the leader that the bishops chose to lead the church forward. Rest in peace, Pope Francis. Thank you for all that you did for those Catholics like myself who have been struggling, to give us hope and to give us the ability to forgive and be compassionate.

I rise to express our nation's deep sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis and to associate myself with the remarks of others in this chamber. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Australian and global Catholic community and all those whose lives have been touched by the Pope's enduring faith, moral leadership and compassion. His Holiness was not only a spiritual guide to over a billion members of the Catholic community across the world but also a voice of conscience on the world stage, advocating for peace, justice and the dignity of all human life. Whether in moments of global crisis or personal reflection, his words reached far beyond the walls of the Vatican, offering comfort and conviction to people of all faiths and all nations. In my home state of South Australia, where we have a strong and diverse Catholic community, I know his passing was felt deeply. Many will remember his tireless service, his humility and his love for humanity. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire hope and encourage compassion across the globe. Vale, Pope Francis.

I rise to speak to the condolence motion on Pope Francis. As the first Jesuit Pope and indeed the first non-European Pope for over 1,200 years, he really did seek to break the mould in part. Others in this chamber would know that he took the name of Pope Francis in part to emulate St Francis of Assisi and to build on those teachings, hoping to ground the church in work for the poor and social justice, to speak for the powerless and also—something that, as a Greens senator, I always valued in Pope Francis—to recognise the beauty and the spirituality in our connection to the natural world.

I rise as a very much lapsed Anglican in this debate. My mother was raised Catholic, and, in moments in her life of incredible stress and incredible challenges, I saw her take strength in her Catholic faith. So I know that, for Catholics around the world, the passing of Pope Francis was deeply felt.

But of course, Pope Francis didn't speak in the abstract. Pope Francis spoke about the challenges, the unfairness and the wrongs of the current world, and he sought to make the church a force for good. Pope Francis demonstrated unwavering support for Palestinians throughout the Gaza conflict. From the war's very beginning, he made nightly phone calls to Gaza's Holy Family Church, and he reached out every evening—every evening—to offer comfort and prayers. I know that the videos of those calls circulated online. They touched many people, including me. When you listened to his prayers, his support extended to all Gazans—in his words, 'Christians and Muslims alike'—as he prayed daily for their safety. Tragically, last week, the same Catholic Church to which he reached out and made calls to the priest was in fact bombed by Israeli forces after Pope Francis's passing. That killed three people and wounded the priest. I think we can all agree that the people protesting outside this parliament today would have had Pope Francis's blessing.

Pope Francis also demonstrated profound solidarity with the Tamil people, and he did that throughout his papacy. In January 2015, Pope Francis made history by becoming the first pope to visit Tamil Eelam. When he visited, he visited Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar, which was a Catholic sanctuary that, like the churches and holy places in Gaza, was also devastated during a genocide, and, in fact, it served as a place of refuge for displaced Tamils, whether Catholic or of other faiths. Indeed, just last week, new mass graves were discovered at Chemmani in northern Sri Lanka, continuing to display the revelations of atrocities against Tamils. As we mourn Pope Francis, the Tamil people are again mourning yet more deaths and the discovery of this new atrocity. Now, more than ever, the diaspora in Australia must be supported in their quest for justice. Truth about what happened here is essential, as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity. Pope Francis knew that and prayed for that.

Pope Francis also consistently emphasised climate justice, holding wealthy nations—the United States, Australia and others—accountable for their disproportionate role in global warming, and advocating for vulnerable populations most affected by climate impacts. When he warned the world and called the world to action, he spoke the words, sometimes directly, of St Francis of Assisi, speaking up for the poor and nature in the one moment. Those messages continue to be timely. As we debate and discuss this motion, an algal bloom continues to contribute to mass death of sea life across our southern coasts. We have regions recovering from catastrophic fires and floods, and droughts persisting across much of Australia. We're in a climate crisis that Pope Francis acknowledged. Of course, the answer is to acknowledge and value nature, to recognise our connection with nature, the spirituality of nature and the essential connections that we have with nature, and to keep coal and gas in the ground. The answer is for this place to listen to those teachings, listen to the values of nature, take climate action and protect vulnerable populations and our precious globe from the impacts of climate change.

I can't finish this contribution without also reflecting on Pope Francis's complicated response to child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. I know it's the feeling amongst many of my friends in organisations like SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, that he didn't go far enough in this work. There were also strong criticisms of his handling of child sexual abuse matters in Argentina. That is a part of his history too, and I don't want to airbrush over it. Pope Francis spoke about placing victims at the heart of the church's response to sexual abuse by priests, but little changed in the institution's approach to survivors on his watch. I acknowledge it's an institution that's hard to reform, even for the Pope. His earlier abolition of the pontifical secret was meant to enable cooperation with authorities, but the fact is that the Catholic Church continues to obstruct survivors and it continues to fail to cooperate with domestic judicial proceedings for justice. Reforms to investigations in the church still had bishops investigating each other.

His 2014 creation of a pontifical commission for the protection of minors was very much welcomed at the time. It was another moment that appeared to hold promise, but many observers will say that the commission has been shockingly ineffective and has achieved little. Children deserve safety; survivors deserve justice. That has not yet been achieved by the church.

In a deeply flawed institution, Pope Francis did push for reform. He spoke with generosity, compassion and empathy, and he spoke with hope. He connected millions and his loss has been felt deeply by people of all religions and of none.

On Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, the world and over a billion Catholics, of which I am but one, learned the sad news of the passing of Pope Francis. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrants who fled the shadow of Mussolini's fascism, his life was shaped by humility, hardship and deep faith. From working as a bouncer and a janitor to serving in hospitality, Jorge's early experiences grounded him in the very dignity of labour. At the age of 21, while seriously ill, he discerned a vocation that would shape history, entering the Jesuit order and being ordained a priest in 1969—a journey into Catholicism that culminated in his ordination as the Pope.

Pope Francis was indeed a trailblazer—the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America and the first pope born outside of Europe since the eighth century. His very name, chosen in honour of St Francis of Assisi, foreshadowed a papacy centred on humility, compassion and service for the poor. He consciously rejected the extravagances of office, choosing to live in the Vatican guesthouse, wearing simpler garments and embracing a no-frills papacy. In his very first Holy Thursday as Pope, he washed and kissed the feet of 12 juvenile offenders—an act of radical empathy and grace.

Francis sought to refocus the church on its core mission: mercy. He taught that sin and culpability are not the same and that God's grace finds us in our frailty, not in our perfection. By every one of us seeking to practice forgiveness, we are extending God's love. As the Pope quoted in Amoris Laetitia:

… "a small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order, but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties".

Through his compassion, Pope Francis challenged all of us to look upon the world not through eyes of judgement but rather through eyes and a heart of compassion and to see those in pain not as burdens but, as he addressed them, as brothers and sisters in Christ. He reminded us, as St Francis of Assisi did, that 'your god is of your flesh; he lives in your nearest neighbour, in every man'.

Pope Francis also embraced the need for reform. His synod on synodality brought new voices to the church, including women, for the first time, voting in a global synod—an extraordinary moment for representation and inclusion in an ancient institution.

As we share our condolences, let us remember his words in his first speech as pope. He said:

And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood.

…   …   …

I will now give my blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

Indeed, when I was on a polling booth at the election, one lady spoke to me about her grief at the loss of the Pope. She said: 'I'm not a Catholic and I'm not even religious, but, let's face it, I'm sad. I saw him as the Pope of the world.'

Today, at the ecumenical worship service at the Wesley Uniting Church to mark the opening of the 48th federal parliament, the theme of the homily was taken from the first letter of St John: 'God is Love'. The Reverend Richard Thompson VG CSM, Vicar-General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, reminded all gathered that trust in people who profess faith is not governed by the words they utter but rather by the actions that they undertake. Father Thompson called on all of us to live that love, that kindness and that generosity in our work here in the parliament in Australia.

In my view, Pope Francis embodied that direction 'God is love', and I witnessed it personally. On the occasion of my husband and I being on holiday in Rome, we attended, in a large public audience, Pope Francis's meeting of the people for the day. Pope Francis's compassion was evident and demonstrated. When following his apostolic blessing, he came down into the gathering and spent the next 20 minutes before he left the building immersed in conversation and giving his personal blessing to people with discernible physical frailty. His reflection that day was on the Old Testament, the Book of Judith. His message was, 'Lord, not my will, but yours be done.' It was a calling on us, as people of goodwill and faith, to emulate that trust. It is, indeed, a radical message for our time. Trust in the Lord's providential care is hardly the fashion of the moment.

Pope Francis understood that the church must be both timeless and timely, anchored in faith, but responsive to the world. He broadened the tent, he expanded the conversation and he reminded us all that the gospel must always walk with people. Pope Francis was in every sense a true man of God—a reformer, a shepherd, a servant of the poor and a voice for the voiceless. May Pope Francis rest in peace and may his legacy of mercy and justice endure and flourish in the life of the church and in the hearts of all people of goodwill.

I would like to associate myself with the beautiful sentiments that have been expressed this evening in the condolence motion for Pope Francis, with Catholics all around the world and with those who are saddened by his passing. Jesus Christ told his followers to be the salt of the earth, and Pope Francis definitely lived up to that admonition by being a pope who added flavour to the Catholic Church and to the world.

As many have remarked tonight, he did take significantly controversial and impactful positions on matters of climate change and on wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The reform of the church, as well, has been expressed in the practices of the synod and other measures. I did not agree with all of those sentiments that the Pope sometimes expressed, but, as a Catholic, I'd much prefer a pope I disagreed with than one that provoked no reaction at all. The Lord does work in mysterious ways. The reactions to Pope Francis's decisions were perhaps sometimes different to what he intended. Somewhat ironically for a pope who did seek to modernise practices within the Catholic Church, his papacy has coincided with the greatest flourishing of traditional Catholicism seen for many centuries. Many young Catholics now find themselves much more attracted to the traditional Latin mass. Despite the attempts of Rome to suppress those practices, they are flourishing—somewhat underground, in the strong traditions of the early church. So Pope Francis's pontificate will have enormous ramifications throughout the church long after his passing.

We, I suppose, in modern times, would consider the admonition of Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, to be the salt of the earth to mean 'to add flavour'—to be salty—because that's typically how we use salt in modern times. In Jesus's time, though, salt was primarily used to preserve meat and other foodstuffs for longer term use. Clearly, one of the sentiments that Jesus Christ meant in the Sermon on the Mount was 'to preserve'—to preserve the moral foundations of his teachings. Pope Francis did also live up to that element of Jesus's teaching.

Pope Francis was very traditional in his sentiments on major modern issues. He referred to the enormous increase in the practice of abortion as 'murder' and as part of a 'throwaway culture'. He stood up for the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and a woman, calling such an institution the 'first cell of society'. Indeed, it does seem like we have lost something in that we no longer really have a word to describe the formation, the creation, of a life which happens with the union of a man and a woman. That's something that the Catholic Church continues to stand up for. Pope Francis also strongly rejected what he called 'gender ideology' and stood up for the principle that the human body is a gift from God, not something to be manipulated. I'm sure the Catholic Church will continue to preserve these moral traditions that are not always popular or in fashion but do require a defence.

Despite the criticism, the fascination and, sometimes, the contempt that many have for the Catholic Church, it was to me instructive to see that both the passing of Pope Francis and the election of new pope Leo XIV fascinated the world for months, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The world's eyes were on Rome and on the goings-on in the Vatican at the time. To me, that shows the importance of defending the faith, defending what people do think is the right faith, despite the criticism.

The Vatican itself, of course, was built on Nero's circus, where St Peter was crucified for having views that were not popular and not shared by the political leaders of the time. But, despite the persecution of those early Catholics, that faith, now my faith, has survived and flourished, and in triumph it has built perhaps the greatest church, or religious building, in the world, upon the very place where early Catholics were persecuted. Indeed, if you have the chance to go into St Peter's Basilica and you look up at the dome—a bit like our dome up there—you will see the words in Latin 'tv es petrvs et svper hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam'—'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church'. Long may the Catholic Church flourish upon that rock. God bless Pope Francis, and all the best to Pope Leo XIV for his election and his coming pontificate.

I too rise to speak to this condolence motion, and I acknowledge and echo the comments of my colleague Senator Shoebridge. A significant part of Pope Francis's legacy will be how he held the people of Palestine so close to his heart. He called again and again for a ceasefire in Gaza. He highlighted the suffering, the dignity and the humanity of Palestinians. His message has been clear: peace and justice are values that transcend lines of faith and religion. His message speaks to something more universal. It speaks to the fundamentals of human decency, compassion and moral responsibility.

Today, I joined hundreds of protesters and peace advocates gathered on the lawns of parliament to call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. Their message was simple, powerful and urgent. I stand with them, and I echo their calls. The Greens are calling on the Australian government to immediately impose targeted sanctions on the Netanyahu government, end our two-way arms trade with Israel and airdrop food that's desperately needed and medical aid to those people in Gaza who are starving right now.

Let me be clear. The people of Gaza are suffering from an avoidable famine. Thousands of children are on the brink of starvation. Health workers and humanitarian organisations have sounded the alarm. The hunger crisis in Gaza is spiralling. Israel has allowed only a limited amount of aid into the enclave, and it's being distributed under a deeply flawed system backed by the US and Israeli governments that has left Palestinians shot and killed as they try to collect food. We are hearing from doctors and aid workers that the rates of malnutrition in Gaza are close to 100 per cent. That's not just a statistic; it's the face of every child, every family and every person deprived of food and dignity.

For nearly two years, the Greens have urged the government to support an immediate ceasefire, but, in that time, we haven't seen the action that is so desperately needed. Statements are a welcome step in the right direction, but words do not stop bombs and do not feed starving children. Words do not end a genocide. It's time for Australia to turn these statements of concern into action. Now that Australia has formally acknowledged the horror of Israel's ongoing assault, we must also take responsibility for not being complicit in it. If we are to properly honour Pope Francis's legacy, if we are to live up to international law, basic human decency and a shared global call for a free Palestine, then we must act not just with words but with real actions and real consequences. We must end the two-way arms trade. We must cancel every contract with weapons manufacturers who profit from genocide. We must impose real, impactful and severe sanctions on the Netanyahu government, and we must play a role in delivering aid to the thousands of people starving in Gaza.

Senator Grogan, on a point of order?

I'm a bit perturbed here. I have a point of order on relevance. This is a condolence motion for the Pope.

Senator Hodgins-May, I will bring you back to the point of this contribution. I have been listening, and I have given you a fair bit of latitude. Could you please return to the purpose of this contribution? Thank you.

Justice demands more than empathy; it demands action, peace and a world that speaks out for the rights of all people. May Pope Francis rest in peace.

Question agreed to, honourable senators joining in a moment of silence.

The President has received letters requesting changes to the membership of committees. I draw the Senate's attention to nominations made by crossbench senators for which agreement has not been reached as follows: Senator Whitten, for the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation and References Committee; Senator Stacey, for the Finance and Public Administration Legislation and References Committee; and Senator Babet, for the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation and References Committee.

If further nominations are received, a ballot will be required.

by leave—I move that:

That senators be appointed to committees as follows:

Appropriations, Staffing and Security — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Askew, Ciccone, Duniam, Grogan, McKenzie and Stewart

Community Affairs Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Blyth, Brown and Cox

Participating members: Senators Askew, Bragg, Brockman, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Community Affairs References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Antic, Ananda-Rajah, Blyth, Collins and Cox

Participating members: Senators Askew, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Economics Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Canavan, Darmanin, Hume, O'Neill and Walker

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Whiteaker

Economics References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Canavan, Colbeck, Darmanin, Hume and O'Neill

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Collins, Cox, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart Walker and Whiteaker

Education and Employment Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Dolega, Kovacic, Mulholland, Sharma and Marielle Smith

Participating members: Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sheldon, Dean Smith Sterle, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Education and Employment References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Blyth, Dolega, Kovacic, Sharma and Marielle Smith

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Sterle, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Environment and Communications Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Ananda-Rajah, Dean Smith, Ghosh, Henderson and Walker

Participating members: Senators Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Grogan, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Whiteaker

Environment and Communications References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Cadell, Ghosh, Henderson, Dean Smith and Walker

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Grogan, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Whiteaker

Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Collins, Dowling, Grogan, Sharma and Whiteaker

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Duniam, Ghosh, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Walker

Finance and Public Administration References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Collins, Dowling, Grogan, Hume and Sharma

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Colbeck, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Duniam, Ghosh, Henderson, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Ciccone, Ghosh, Henderson, McLachlan and Whiteaker

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Chandler, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Grogan, Mulholland, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Walker

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Chandler, Ciccone, Henderson, McLachlan and Whiteaker

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Colbeck, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Mulholland, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Stewart and Walker

House — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Grogan and Sheldon

Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Chandler, Cox, McLachlan, Polley and Stewart

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Walker and Whiteaker

Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Antic, Chandler, Cox, McLachlan and Stewart

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Canavan, Cash, Ciccone, Colbeck, Collins, Darmanin, Dolega, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Walker and Whiteaker

Privileges — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Brown, Chandler, Cox, Henderson, Hume, Polley and Sterle

Procedure — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Chisholm, Duniam, Gallagher, McKenzie and Sheldon

Publications — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Antic, Askew, Brown, Dowling, McLachlan, Sheldon and Walker

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Canavan, Colbeck, Dolega, Mulholland and Sterle

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, O'Sullivan, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee —

Appointed—

Senators Canavan, Colbeck, Dolega, O'Sullivan and Sterle

Participating members: Senators Ananda-Rajah, Antic, Askew, Blyth, Bragg, Brockman, Brown, Cadell, Cash, Chandler, Ciccone, Collins, Cox, Darmanin, Dowling, Duniam, Ghosh, Grogan, Henderson, Hume, Kovacic, Liddle, McDonald, McGrath, McKenzie, McLachlan, Mulholland, Nampijinpa Price, O'Neill, Paterson, Polley, Ruston, Scarr, Sharma, Sheldon, Dean Smith, Marielle Smith, Stewart, Walker and Whiteaker

Selection of Bills — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Blyth, Chisholm, Collins and Gallagher

Scrutiny of Bills — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Ciccone, Dolega, Grogan, Scarr and Dean Smith

Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Ananda-Rajah, Darmanin, O'Neill, O'Sullivan and Scarr.

Senators' Interests — Standing Committee —

Appointed—Senators Askew, Blyth, Brown, Canavan, Darmanin, O'Sullivan and Sterle

Question put and passed.

Senate adjourned at 18:15