The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 13
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
17 August 2026
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Jodie Belyea MP
Deputy Chair Mr Leon Rebello MP
Mr Cameron Caldwell MP
Ms Emma Comer MP
Ms Trish Cook MP
Mr Rowan Holzberger MP
Mr Llew O'Brien MP
Ms Tracey Roberts MP
This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives
Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 48th Parliament on 26 May, 2 June, 23 June, 30 June and 4 August 2026.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 19 1 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 26 May 2026
From 1 petitioner—requesting regional fusion energy hubs and incentives for employment (EN7946)
From 2 petitioners—requesting an industrial strategy for fusion energy (EN7947)
From 1 petitioner—requesting a fusion energy export strategy (EN7948)
From 2 petitioners—requesting fusion energy research and household energy affordability measures (EN7949)
From 2 petitioners—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in grid planning (EN7950)
From 2 petitioners—requesting measures relating to violent extremism and public safety (EN9102)
From 5 petitioners—requesting measures relating to immigration, citizenship and counter-extremism (EN9103)
From 2 petitioners—requesting legislation relating to antisemitism and hate speech (EN9105)
From 2 petitioners—requesting cessation of Al Jazeera operations in Australia (EN9107)
From 151 petitioners—requesting legislative requirements for restrictions imposed by financial institutions (EN9869)
From 7 petitioners—requesting compassionate leave and bereavement benefits for pet owners (EN9874)
From 1 petitioner—requesting support for a cultural and tourism festival (EN9875)
From 20 petitioners—regarding changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN9876)
From 18 petitioners—requesting cessation of immigration (EN9883)
From 64 petitioners—requesting legal representation in Veterans' Review Board proceedings and removal of penalties (EN9888)
From 8 petitioners—requesting amendment of the Marriage Act 1961 to permit multiple marriages (EN9891)
From 3 petitioners—requesting reduced service periods for Commonwealth long service awards (EN9895)
From 6 petitioners—requesting inclusion of superannuation in the Financial Claims Scheme (EN9896)
From 21 petitioners—requesting prohibition of artificial intelligence use in government and service delivery (EN9897)
From 1703 petitioners—requesting protection measures for Athrotaxis communities (EN9898)
From 20 petitioners—requesting divestment from artificial intelligence companies (EN9901)
From 16 petitioners—requesting review of income support payments (EN9903)
From 17 petitioners—requesting strengthened protections for assistance dogs and handlers (EN9906)
From 11 petitioners—requesting changes to social media minimum age laws (EN9908)
From 39 petitioners—requesting actions and increased funding for endometriosis care (EN9909)
From 54 petitioners—requesting artificial intelligence labelling for music releases and artist protections (EN9910)
From 62 petitioners—requesting stronger visitor visa sponsor obligations (EN9911)
From 412 petitioners—requesting changes to the regulation of entheogenic plants and fungi (EN9915)
From 13 petitioners—requesting protection of Commonwealth war graves in Gaza (EN9917)
From 3137 petitioners—requesting changes to restrictions on the importation and sale of Moringa oleifera (EN9921)
From 2155 petitioners—requesting the appointment of a Minister for Men (EN9924)
From 13 petitioners—requesting stronger verification of international qualifications in licensed occupations (EN9925)
From 61 petitioners—requesting investigation of aerial spraying (EN9927)
From 4 petitioners—requesting advertising requirements for novated leases (EN9928)
From 6 petitioners—requesting consideration of company tax changes (EN9929)
From 3 petitioners—requesting national coordination of organised crime policing (EN9931)
From 16 petitioners—requesting an audit of First Nations program funding (EN9935)
From 56 petitioners—requesting review of foreign ownership laws for farmland (EN9941)
From 10 petitioners—requesting eligibility changes for veterans' benefits (EN9942)
From 46 petitioners—requesting government-owned grocery stores (EN9945)
From 10 petitioners—requesting Friday evening penalty rates for hospitality and retail workers (EN9964)
From 31 petitioners—requesting mining taxation reform and a sovereign wealth fund (EN9965)
From 8 petitioners—requesting taxation reform relating to residential rental payments and income (EN9966)
From 28 petitioners—requesting reinstatement of capital punishment (EN9968)
From 8 petitioners—requesting actions regarding government-funded employment services (EN9969)
From 2 petitioners—requesting biometric security for government services (EN9970)
Petitions certified on 2 June 2026
From 2 petitioners—requesting funding for fusion energy projects (EN7951)
From 1 petitioner—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in Indo-Pacific cooperation (EN7952)
From 1 petitioner—requesting scholarships and education programs relating to fusion energy (EN7953)
From 1 petitioner—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in resilience and emergency planning (EN7954)
From 1 petitioner—requesting long-term funding for fusion energy programs (EN7955)
From 3 petitioners—requesting investigation of foreign influence relating to political protests (EN9110)
From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of measures relating to extremist ideologies (EN9116)
From 5 petitioners—requesting investigation of matters relating to extremist ideologies (EN9117)
From 2 petitioners—requesting investigation and review of measures relating to extremist ideologies (EN9118)
From 9 petitioners—requesting a review of counter-terrorism powers (EN9119)
From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to visa cancellation and removal arrangements (EN9952)
From 31 petitioners—requesting broader access to magnetic resonance imaging services (EN9974)
From 208 petitioners—requesting changes to capital gains tax discount arrangements for property investments (EN9975)
From 51 petitioners—requesting regulation of artificial intelligence technologies (EN9976)
From 617 petitioners—requesting changes to screening requirements for disability support workers (EN9977)
From 476 petitioners—requesting changes to allied health funding arrangements for veterans (EN9980)
From 39 petitioners—regarding negative gearing arrangements for residential investment properties (EN9982)
From 757 petitioners—requesting constitutional amendment relating to election commitments (EN9985)
From 56 petitioners—requesting retention of taxation arrangements relating to investment and business structures (EN9987)
From 274 petitioners—requesting changes to child support enforcement arrangements (EN9992)
From 77 petitioners—regarding capital gains tax and negative gearing arrangements (EN9993)
From 2039 petitioners—requesting reconsideration of land divestment at Kokoda Barracks (EN9996)
From 16 petitioners—requesting retention of participant choice in National Disability Insurance Scheme plan management (EN9997)
From 1715 petitioners—requesting changes to taxation arrangements relating to residential housing construction (EN9999)
From 33 petitioners—requesting changes to taxation arrangements for gas exporters (EN10003)
From 2083 petitioners—requesting restoration of Parent Visa places (EN10015)
From 17 petitioners—regarding capital gains tax concessions for business owners (EN10019)
From 6 petitioners—regarding Queensland legislation relating to political expression (EN10026)
From 2 petitioners—requesting changes to funding of employment services (EN10031)
From 27 petitioners—requesting repeal of income and other taxes (EN10033)
From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of cost of living, housing and taxation policies (EN10036)
From 17 petitioners—requesting measures relating to intergenerational policy (EN10037)
From 11 petitioners—requesting regulation of edible surplus food disposal (EN10040)
From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to Medicare and private billing arrangements (EN10041)
From 80 petitioners—requesting a review of Commonwealth laws and policies relating to sex and gender (EN10043)
From 19 petitioners—requesting a review of economic management (EN10044)
From 49 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN10047)
From 3200 petitioners—requesting review of capital gains tax and discretionary trust taxation changes (EN10049)
From 19 petitioners—requesting funding for Lifeline services (EN10052)
Petitions certified on 23 June 2026
From 3 petitioners—requesting trials of fusion energy systems for resource sector energy supply (EN7956)
From 3 petitioners—requesting inclusion of fusion energy in Australia's hydrogen strategy (EN7957)
From 4 petitioners—requesting investment in fusion energy for medical research (EN7958)
From 3 petitioners—requesting support for fusion energy pilot projects (EN7959)
From 2 petitioners—requesting use of fusion energy in agricultural development (EN7960)
From 5 petitioners—regarding the application of Australian law (EN9122)
From 2 petitioners—regarding counter-terrorism strategy (EN9123)
From 5 petitioners—regarding the national response to Islamophobia (EN9125)
From 7 petitioners—requesting review of a visa held by an individual (EN9127)
From 5 petitioners—requesting a review of extremism in Australia (EN9152)
From 10 petitioners—requesting support services for current and former Australian Defence Force members (EN9953)
From 1 petitioner—requesting changes to employment services participation requirements (EN10053)
From 94 petitioners—requesting a ban on generative artificial intelligence (EN10057)
From 15 petitioners—requesting changes to parliamentary expenses regulations (EN10058)
From 11 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) application processing (EN10060)
From 6 petitioners—requesting a nationwide ban on single-use plastics (EN10061)
From 4807 petitioners—requesting anti-bullying measures in schools (EN10063)
From 21 petitioners—requesting review of proposed budget measures (EN10064)
From 10 petitioners—requesting regulation of surplus food disposal in the hospitality sector (EN10065)
From 438 petitioners—requesting changes to laws relating to sex and gender (EN10067)
From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to discretionary trust taxation (EN10071)
From 2 petitioners—requesting a pension scheme for older JobSeeker Payment recipients (EN10073)
From 11 petitioners—requesting housing, pension and health care for returned service members (EN10074)
From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to capital gains tax reforms (EN10077)
From 223 petitioners—requesting temporary closure of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (EN10079)
From 3 petitioners—requesting a ban on drone ownership (EN10080)
From 58 petitioners—requesting research funding for alternatives to sodium fluoroacetate-based pest control (EN10081)
From 2 petitioners—requesting negative gearing for new construction (EN10083)
From 21 petitioners—requesting restrictions on facial recognition technology (EN10084)
From 8036 petitioners—regarding investigations by the Office of the Special Investigator (EN10088)
From 3 petitioners—requesting an Australian commemorative coin relating to diabetes (EN10089)
From 8 petitioners—regarding Australia's position on Cuba and United States sanctions (EN10090)
From 21 petitioners—requesting changes to lobbying disclosure (EN10091)
From 4 petitioners—requesting a workplace entitlement for cultural and religious observances (EN10095)
From 35 petitioners—requesting access to treatments for vulvodynia and vestibulodynia (EN10100)
From 284 petitioners—requesting recognition of chronic conditions in Department of Veterans' Affairs allied health funding (EN10104)
From 10 petitioners—requesting retention of the capital gains tax discount for listed shares (EN10110)
From 23 petitioners—requesting regulation of political polling during federal elections (EN10113)
From 7 petitioners—requesting changes to Higher Education Loan Program debt indexation (EN10114)
From 516 petitioners—requesting Medicare rebates for lipedema surgery (EN10115)
From 152 petitioners—requesting action in relation to human rights in Vietnam (EN10117)
From 4 petitioners—requesting early access to superannuation for emergencies (EN10118)
From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to minimum wages for junior workers (EN10119)
From 1150 petitioners—requesting recognition of Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) residence for family assistance payments (EN10120)
From 54 petitioners—requesting safeguards for automation in government processes (EN10125)
From 55 petitioners—requesting amendments to responsible lending laws relating to rental histories (EN10126)
From 9 petitioners—requesting review of long-term baseload power options (EN10127)
From 15 petitioners—requesting a ban on data mining (EN10129)
From 4 petitioners—requesting review of the Child Support assessment formula (EN10131)
From 3 petitioners—requesting changes to insurance exemptions under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (EN10132)
From 72 petitioners—requesting skilled migration age concessions for doctorate graduates (EN10134)
From 7 petitioners—requesting a ban on autonomous vehicles (EN10135)
From 400 petitioners—requesting travel industry consumer protection legislation (EN10136)
From 4 petitioners—requesting a public education campaign regarding e-cigarettes (EN10137)
From 15 petitioners—requesting reporting on the fiscal impacts of immigration (EN10138)
From 28 petitioners—requesting paid privacy options for social media platforms (EN10139)
From 9 petitioners—requesting review of negative gearing and capital gains tax changes (EN10140)
From 33 petitioners—requesting citizenship requirements for income support payments (EN10146)
From 3 petitioners—requesting citizenship test exemptions for long-term permanent residents (EN10147)
From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to federal electoral arrangements (EN10148)
From 223 petitioners—requesting a motion of no confidence (EN10158)
From 219 petitioners—requesting humanitarian funding for southern Lebanon (EN10160)
From 3 petitioners—requesting changes to employment services funding (EN10161)
From 5 petitioners—requesting an Australian medical research award (EN10162)
From 51 petitioners—requesting sanctions against Israel (EN10163)
From 3 petitioners—requesting protocols for displaying national flags (EN10164)
Petitions certified on 30 June 2026
From 2 petitioners—requesting use of fusion energy for national water infrastructure (EN7961)
From 1 petitioner—requesting fusion-powered inland development corridors (EN7962)
From 6 petitioners—requesting prioritisation of fusion energy deployment in regional Australia (EN7963)
From 2 petitioners—requesting implementation of the Bradfield Scheme using fusion energy (EN7964)
From 3 petitioners—requesting fusion energy hubs in northern Australia (EN7965)
From 9 petitioners—requesting review of extremism in Australia (EN9161)
From 20 petitioners—regarding the application of Australian law (EN9162)
From 9 petitioners—requesting investigation of extremism in Australia (EN9176)
From 7 petitioners—requesting review of eligibility and security requirements for public office holders (EN9177)
From 5 petitioners—requesting citizenship requirements for election candidates (EN9958)
From 3 petitioners—requesting protections for religious expression (EN9959)
From 4 petitioners—requesting changes to parental leave entitlements (EN9962)
From 46 petitioners—requesting measures to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses (EN10166)
From 16 petitioners—requesting parental exemptions from social media age restrictions (EN10169)
From 5 petitioners—requesting restoration of streaming services in remote areas (EN10170)
From 30 petitioners—requesting changes to the Child Support assessment formula (EN10173)
From 60 petitioners—regarding the use of beagles in medical research (EN10174)
From 68 petitioners—requesting mobile phone coverage along Summerland Way in New South Wales (EN10176)
From 9 petitioners—requesting additional annual leave for parents with dependent children (EN10179)
From 2 petitioners—requesting regulations for travel agents (EN10180)
From 8 petitioners—requesting regulated access to peptide therapies (EN10181)
From 5 petitioners—requesting restrictions on salary increases for federal politicians (EN10183)
From 29 petitioners—requesting restrictions on salary increases for federal politicians (EN10184)
From 5 petitioners—requesting changes to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and vehicle repair requirements (EN10185)
From 1091 petitioners—requesting an increase to higher degree by research stipend payments (EN10186)
From 3 petitioners—requesting an agreement with the United States on access to artificial intelligence systems (EN10188)
From 79 petitioners—requesting regulation of light-emitting diode vehicle headlights (EN10189)
From 437 petitioners—requesting expanded healthcare roles for nurses and paramedics (EN10190)
From 77 petitioners—requesting review of artificial intelligence, data centre and taxation policy (EN10191)
From 20 petitioners—requesting installation of a new weather radar in the Gladstone region (EN10199)
From 462 petitioners—requesting changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (EN10202)
From 125 petitioners—requesting additional parental leave for parents of premature babies (EN10205)
From 65 petitioners—regarding support services for Australian Defence Force members and veterans (EN10207)
From 25 petitioners—requesting the imposition of sanctions under the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 (EN10208)
From 9 petitioners—requesting changes to Higher Education Loan Program repayment arrangements (EN10210)
From 702 petitioners—requesting a pathway to permanent residency for long-term bridging visa holders (EN10211)
From 763 petitioners—requesting social security arrangements for former Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786) holders (EN10212)
From 55 petitioners—requesting an increase to the Goods and Services Tax registration threshold (EN10213)
From 61 petitioners—requesting greater access to superannuation (EN10214)
From 1229 petitioners—requesting construction of a Traralgon bypass (PN0658)
2. The following 23 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 30 June 2026
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the human rights situation in Afghanistan (EN6998)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the establishment of a royal commission into foreign interference (EN9406)
From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition regarding policy and funding for children with additional needs (EN9415)
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 4 August 2026
From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding truth in political advertising (EN7252)
From the Special Minister of State to a petition regarding wages and renumeration for Parliamentarians (EN7321)
From the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding fraud against the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN8485)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting restrictions on entry of individuals who have served in a foreign military (EN9292)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting financial assistance for veterans during legislative transition (EN9327)
From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting an inquiry into COVID-19 vaccines (EN9397)
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting an inquiry into arts education and training (EN9412)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to eligibility timeframes for regional skilled migration visas (EN9416)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to processing times and eligibility for regional migration visas (EN9433)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the welfare of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan (EN9537)
From the Minister for Health and Ageing to a petition requesting national standards for allergen management (EN9575)
From the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to a petition regarding regulation of digital mental health tools (EN9586)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting consideration of listing an Iranian opposition group as a terrorist organisation (EN9592)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting an inquiry into employment arrangements in the aviation sector (EN9621)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the proposed Dittmer Project gold mine (EN9634)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting changes to visa eligibility for Israeli Defense Force personnel (EN9667)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting a motion of no confidence (EN9673)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting the introduction of menstrual leave entitlements (EN9679)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting changes to financial transparency requirements for disability service providers (EN9712)
From the Assistant Minister for Immigration to a petition requesting intervention for a family to remain in Australia (PN0657)
Ms Jodie Belyea MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House acknowledges that the Government is supporting Australians to earn more, keep more of what they earn, and retire with more, with a range of policies that came into effect on 1 July 2026, including:
(1) payday superannuation reforms, benefiting the retirement incomes of millions of Australians through more frequent and earlier superannuation contributions;
(2) a 4.75 per cent increase to the minimum wage, marking the first time the national minimum wage is above $1,000 a week;
(3) expanding government paid parental leave to 130 days, with parents to be paid superannuation contributions on Commonwealth funded paid parental leave for the first time; and
(4) delivering:
(a) a new $1,000 instant tax deduction without proof of receipts; and
(b) another tax cut of up to $268 for over 14 million Australians.
That this House:
(1) condemns the Government for its continued rollout of renewable energy precincts in regional communities, including the New England Renewable Energy Zone and Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, without due regard for the impact on agriculture, landowners, community, infrastructure and the productive landscape;
(2) notes that:
(a) regional Australians are being asked to carry the burden of a policy that is driving up the cost of living, increasing pressure on electricity prices, and undermining reliable and affordable power for households, small businesses and industry; and
(b) the rollout of large-scale wind, solar, battery and transmission projects is desecrating rural landscapes, creating uninsurable properties, dividing communities, and imposing industrial-scale infrastructure across farms, towns and natural environments that have sustained regional Australia for generations;
(3) recognises that:
(a) the Government's approach amounts to the socialisation of private assets, where public money, public guarantees and publicly backed schemes are used to underwrite private renewable energy developments and transmission projects; and
(b) intermittent power does not provide the affordable or reliable base load electricity needed to run a modern economy, and that the failure of intermittent generation is being masked by secretive capacity investment schemes and opaque market interventions;
(4) further notes, with concern, the severe impact on small regional communities from the construction of renewable energy precincts, including the arrival of hundreds of temporary workers, demand for already limited housing, pressure on local roads, health services, schools, water, policing and emergency services, and disruption to community life;
(5) calls on the Government to immediately pause the rollout of renewable energy precincts where local communities have not been properly consulted and where the full economic, social, environmental and infrastructure costs have not been independently assessed; and
(6) supports the establishment of a Royal Commission into the rollout of renewable energy precincts across regional Australia, including their effect on cost of living, energy reliability, private property rights, public expenditure, local infrastructure, community cohesion and the long-term future of regional landscapes.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the My Aged Care system is broken, causing widespread hardship and distress for ageing Australians;
(b) the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recently confirmed that the current wait time for an older person of standard priority for a Support at Home package is between 300 to 330 days;
(c) a recent report by KPMG found that 96,709 people are still waiting in the National Priority System for a Home Care Package at their approved level; and
(d) residents in rural and regional parts of Australia are finding that once they finally get services approved, there are no available service providers to deliver the required supports; and
(2) requires the Minister for Health and Ageing to:
(a) immediately explain and address the ongoing and increasing delays with the My Aged Care and Support at Home programs; and
(b) outline what specific measures the Government will take to address provider scarcity and workforce issues in outer-metropolitan and regional electorates, where approved funding is currently failing to translate into actual bedside care and support at home.
A Warburton man with stage four cancer and three months to live was given a six-month wait time for aged care payments.
79-year-old Tony … fears he will die from stomach cancer before getting access to $59,660 for domestic and personal care services.
Mr Rostron was diagnosed with stomach cancer in October last year and after exhausting all treatment options, he was given three months to live.
He was assessed for a Level One package before being reassessed to Level Seven, which gave him access to $59,660 for domestic and personal care services.
But the package was then designated medium priority …
"I could die the next day," …
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2026
Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
That notice No. 1, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2026
Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026
The ambition is right, but the detail matters.
Changes of this scale need to be scrutinised closely to make sure we get them right for students, universities and the nation.
The petition read as follows—
The Pokolbin region in New South Wales, a major grape production area and a centre of premium wine and tourism industries, is suffering from the detrimental impacts of aircraft overflights and holding pattern activities. These impacts include: 1. Air Emissions Pokolbin vineyards, renowned for producing globally recognized premium wines (Hunter Regional Plan 2041) is subjected to harmful aviation emissions. Persistent contrails over the Pokolbin region demonstrate the extent of aviation activities causing atmospheric pollution. 2. Noise Pokolbin is a designated "noise sensitive site" (Hot Spot Analysis study 2020, conducted by Engage Airservices in early 2021). Aircraft overflights from passenger, freight, international, domestic and local aircraft, occurring 24/7, disturb and threaten our tourism industry. Broken Back Range further amplifies noise impact. 3. Visual Intrusion Aircraft overflights and holding patterns negatively affect identified "visually significant areas", including the Pokolbin Flora Reserve, Pokolbin State Forest, Telecommunications Towers, and Pokolbin Lookout. These activities compromise the globally recognized rural scenic character of the region, threatening its tourism-based identity and economy.
We therefore ask the House to: 1. Immediately stop all aviation overflights and holding pattern activities over the Pokolbin vineyards district including, but not limited to: Pokolbin Flora Reserve, Pokolbin State Forest, Telecommunications Towers, and Pokolbin Lookout. 2. Declare the Pokolbin Vineyards district a permanent aviation exclusion zone from all forms of aircraft overflight and holding pattern activities, to safeguard the long-term sustainability of New South Wales wine and tourism industries.
IF Prime Minister John Howard and Treasurer Peter Costello want to take credit for the economy, they also must accept the blame for the housing affordability crisis threatening our country.
House prices do not double of their own accord in five years. They were stagnant for much of the 1990s. I don't know what levers Howard and Costello pulled to cause this doubling, but I do know that, as a result, Australia is facing one of the greatest social disasters possible—a generation of people who cannot afford their own home in the once lucky country. Many parents will see their superannuation disappear very quickly as they try to assist their children buy a home. The legacy of the Government's pursuit of an ill-considered ideology will blight this country for several generations.
The involvement of the Security Council in Indonesian independence, involvement that was instigated and strongly supported by Australia, led to one of its earliest and most emphatic successes. Instead of prolonged military conflict, as occurred in France's colonies … the parties to this conflict had been involved in a process of peaceful decolonisation, led by the Security Council, and resulting in the birth of an independent Indonesian state.
The minister was asked a specific question. She is not entitled to then start talking about broad portfolio issues. She will need to keep her answer efficient to the question.
That's communism. … there'll be superannuation for cats and dogs soon.
I think the whole system is broken.
The Coalition on Monday will launch a parliamentary attack on Labor's marquee scheme …
That leave of absence until 17 September 2026 be given to Mr Young for personal reasons.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Herbert from moving the following motion immediately:
That this House censures the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel for failing to meet today with veterans about the Government's cruel cuts to allied health services for veterans.
That the debate be adjourned.
The House divided. [15:35]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring on Tuesday, 18 August 2026:
(1) immediately following the second reading of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026:
(a) the bill being considered in detail and taken as a whole, with any detail amendments to be moved together as, one set for the government, one set for the opposition and one set per crossbench Member, unless a Minister requires otherwise, and:
(i) one question being put on any government amendments;
(ii) one question being put on any opposition amendments;
(iii) separate questions being put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and
(iv) a separate question being put that the bill [as amended] be agreed to;
(b) debate on any amendments provided for under paragraph 1(a) being limited to up to ten minutes for each question unless a Minister requires the debate to be extended;
(c) at 5.30 pm, if consideration of the bill has not concluded, any amendments circulated [that have not been considered] being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them, unless a Minister requires otherwise, and all questions required to complete the detail stage being put immediately; and
(d) the question being put immediately on the third reading;
(2) immediately following proceedings on the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, the order of the day for the resumption of the debate on the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026 being called on and:
(a) any second reading amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved by the Member proposing them;
(b) the questions being put immediately on any second reading amendments and on the second reading of the bill;
(c) the bill being considered in detail and taken as a whole, with any detail amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them, with:
(i) one question being put immediately on any government amendments;
(ii) one question being put immediately on any opposition amendments; and
(iii) separate questions being put immediately on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and
(iv) a separate question being put that the bill [as amended] be agreed to; and
(d) the question being put immediately on the third reading;
(3) immediately following proceedings on the National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026, the order of the day for the resumption of the debate on the News Journalism Payments Bill 2026 being called on and a cognate debate taking place with the News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026, and proceedings on the bills having priority until 7.30 pm;
(4) at 8 pm, notwithstanding standing order 31, the adjournment debate being interrupted, and debate on the News Journalism Payments Bill 2026 and four related bills having priority:
(a) until the bills have proceeded through all stages; or
(b) 10 pm; or
(c) a later time specified by a Minister prior to 10 pm;
at which point, the House immediately adjourning until 9 am on Wednesday, 19 August; and
(5) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mascarenhas ) took the chair at 10:30.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget imposes a $5,000 annual cap on Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) funded allied health services—including physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, podiatry and dietetics—commencing 1 July 2027. The cap applies to all Veteran Card holders under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence related Claims) Act 1988 and the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, including Gold Card holders, war widows and dependants. Veterans rely on multidisciplinary allied health for service-caused injuries. At current DVA fee schedules, $5,000 is exhausted by approximately twenty psychology sessions, or fifty physiotherapy sessions—well short of the clinical need of veterans with multiple accepted conditions typical of long service. The cap contradicts the Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant, enacted in 2019, by which the Parliament undertook to support all veterans as respected and valued members of the community. It is inconsistent with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which identified financial and administrative barriers to care as drivers of poor outcomes. AIHW data shows the suicide rate for ex-serving Australian males remains substantially elevated compared to the general population.
We therefore ask the House to : (a) reject the $5,000 annual allied health cap for DVA card holders; (b) at minimum, exempt Gold Card holders and legislate a statutory clinical-need override with published criteria, mandated decision timeframes and merits review by the Veterans' Review Board; and (c) defer commencement of the measure until these protections are legislated and operational.
No one should be left behind when it comes to accessing health care—no matter where they live.
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) regional Australia is playing a vital role in hosting the infrastructure needed to facilitate the energy transition;
(b) there is a patchwork of community engagement and benefit obligations across and within states that makes it difficult for regional communities to know what to expect when dealing with renewable energy proponents;
(c) regional communities have varying experiences engaging with renewable energy proponents, with some proponents undertaking best practice community engagement and others, poor or absent engagement; and
(d) poor community engagement and benefit processes are bad for communities, and undermine the energy transition;
(2) notes that:
(a) the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres has increased national awareness of the importance of community benefit for communities impacted by new largescale infrastructure developments; and
(b) regional communities have been calling for a fair share of community benefits commensurate to their role in hosting Australia's energy transition, long before this conversation started about AI data centres; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) establish a permanent, nationally consistent community benefit framework that sets out minimum mandatory community benefit contributions to be paid by renewable energy proponents to community benefit funds that:
(i) deliver intergenerational community benefit to regional communities who host their infrastructure; and
(ii) support local governments to navigate their increasing responsibilities in facilitating the energy transition; and
(b) assign the implementation and oversight responsibility for this framework to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner.
That this House:
(1) commends the Government for investing a further $158.4 million to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to students training in ten additional frontline health professions;
(2) acknowledges that, from 1 July 2027, this expansion will build on paid prac already available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students, with around 95,000 students expected to receive support each year;
(3) recognises that:
(a) practical placements are a significant part of health degrees, making up more than a year of study in some courses; and
(b) travel, accommodation and relocation costs can discourage students from undertaking placements in regional and remote Australia, where health workforce shortages are often most acute;
(4) notes that eligible students currently receive $338.60 a week, benchmarked to the single Austudy rate and indexed annually, providing real cost of living relief while they undertake mandatory placements; and
(5) further acknowledges that expanding CPP will help more students complete their qualifications, growing the health workforce Australians rely on and strengthening Medicare.
On-the-job training is what has given us such expert clinicians all around this country, but this unpaid training places a major financial burden on many medical students. Placements really can act as a barrier for some of our brightest students choosing to go into medicine, and it's particularly hard for people from disadvantaged populations, people in rural areas, and people from lower socioeconomic groups. Out of all of these courses the medical degree is the longest, and the impact of these placements on finances are the greatest for future doctors, so excluding them from this, it just doesn't make any sense.
I know from experience that for many allied health students the greatest financial hardship occurs during mandatory clinical placements. These placements often require students to reduce or completely stop paid work while continuing to meet the cost of rent, transport, food, and study, placing many under severe financial stress. I was pleased to see the recent expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment to support more allied health students during mandatory placements, including me in pharmacy. But I was disappointed that students in other essential allied health disciplines remain excluded from this support, an exclusion that is difficult to justify given the placement requirements of these degrees.
Dietetics students are required to complete more than 800 hours of unpaid clinical placement, while optometry students typically undertake 400-600 hours of unpaid placement before they can graduate. The financial burden can be overwhelming and has the potential to discourage students from entering.
I respectfully urge you to advocate for the Commonwealth Prac Payment to be extended to include dietetics, optometry, and all allied health students …
That this House:
(1) acknowledges:
(a) the significant contribution Australia's livestock producers make to regional economies, employment and the nation's food security;
(b) that wild dogs are a serious and growing threat to livestock, costing an estimated $302 million in production losses each year; and
(c) the burden carried by property owners to deal with the wild dog predation on stock;
(2) notes that:
(a) the Government has cut important pest and invasive species management programs, despite the significant and growing economic impact of invasive species on Australian agriculture;
(b) federal funding for the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator is due to expire at the end of September 2026, with funding for the National Wild Dog Action Plan expiring a month later;
(c) the coordinator and the plan provide a nationally agreed, evidence-based framework that enables coordinated control across state and territory borders; and
(d) industry bodies have committed to co-funding the national wild dog program, yet the Government has chosen to ignore its responsibility to support coordinated wild dog control; and
(3) urges the Government to:
(a) guarantee ongoing funding to maintain the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator role;
(b) renew funding for the National Wild Dog Action Plan to continue the second half of the ten year management program;
(c) recognise that a nationally coordinated approach to pests management is essential to protecting livestock, agricultural productivity and the prosperity of regional Australia; and
(d) commit to ongoing investment in the coordinated management and control of wild dogs and other invasive species that threaten Australian agriculture, regional communities and the environment.
That this House:
(1) recognises the Government's Key Apprenticeship Program, which provides $10,000 incentive payments to new tradies, has already attracted 30,000 apprentices in the first 12 months;
(2) notes that:
(a) carpentry, plumbing and electrical trades are the most popular occupations for apprentices under the program; and
(b) the program is calibrated to offer incentive payments at milestones across the course of an apprenticeship, ensuring that apprentices are supported to reach the finish line of their apprenticeship, with data showing stronger retention rates;
(3) acknowledges that the program forms a key part of the Government's work to deliver targeted support for apprenticeships in industries where we need them most, particularly housing construction;
(4) affirms the Government's ongoing support for the program, with the budget locking in incentive settings for both apprentices and employers until 2029; and
(5) expresses concern that despite multiple opportunities to clarify their position, neither the Opposition nor the One Nation party have made clear their support for the program, with the Shadow Minister for Skills and Training calling the program 'wrong' and 'throwing good money, after bad money'.
The fall in traineeships was, in fact, larger under one year of Labor than under the first seven years of Coalition government.