Tony Burke
Watson · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“People smugglers want there to be footage of Australian voices claiming that people smuggling will work, and those opposite are providing it. The second thing that people smugglers want is access to information.”
“I think it's fair to say that that sort of respect is ordinarily there regardless—it's nothing to do with the gravity of the issue. It's just an acknowledgement that each of us is one out of 150, to make sure that we are conscious that, if everybody acted the way we might want to act in a particular moment, the House could itself become u…”
“on indulgence—When the government seeks to have a debate management motion, there's always discussion in the House as to whether or not that is reasonable. In order for us to make sure that we can respect all 150 members of the parliament, there are a number of things that members ordinarily do.”
“Let me start with this: anyone who saw last night on the news that a number of people had tried to enter our country without a visa should know that, by the time they woke up this morning, every single one of them had been removed from Australia—every single one.”
“I thank the member for Leichhardt. I acknowledge the strong role that the member for Leichhardt has had in combating foreign fishing and, in particular, in calling for the work of Border Force that's up there now in Operation BROADSTAFF.”
“This is an amendment about who the deputy chair should be and whether they should be a member of the opposition. The deputy chair of the committee is a member of the opposition; it's Senator Dean Smith.”
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“by leave—I move: That Mr Gee be appointed a participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for the purpose of the committee's inquiry into the 2025 federal election. Question agreed to.”
“I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent: (1) a minister moving a motion granting members a leave of absence; (2) a minister moving a motion appointing a participating member to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters; (3) discussion on the matter of public importance then commencing immediately and continuing until 4.30 pm; and (4) any variation to this arrangement being made only by motion moved by a Minister. Question agreed to, with an absolute majority.”
“I am proud of our authorities when they intercept drugs. Those opposite see a drug interception as a problem for our authorities. Every time drugs are intercepted by Border Force or the Australian police, we have pride in the people who wear that uniform. We stand with them. When Border Force intercept, you get a sense—”
“But, instead, this Leader of the Opposition thinks it's okay that the information that the people smugglers want be made public and handed over directly to them. He's the friend they want that previous opposition leaders haven't been.”
“People smugglers want there to be footage of Australian voices claiming that people smuggling will work, and those opposite are providing it. The second thing that people smugglers want is access to information. They want access to information about operations and surveillance, which is why I was surprised that, only this week, all three right-wing in the Senate parties voted with the Greens to make sure that surveillance information would be made available to people smugglers. All three of them voted. For a long time, it has been accepted that there were good national security reasons for any information about surveillance—about surveillance contracts, about the operations of Operation Sovereign Borders—not being made public. When different occasions have occurred and briefings have been sought in private, that has occurred.”
“Let me start with this: anyone who saw last night on the news that a number of people had tried to enter our country without a visa should know that, by the time they woke up this morning, every single one of them had been removed from Australia—every single one. Now, that simple fact did not stop members of those opposite claiming that the opposite was true. But the simple fact is that every single one of those individuals who tried to enter Australia without a visa had been removed by morning, and those who tried to assist them have been arrested. There are two things that the opposition, right now, is wanting to deliver for people smugglers and that people smugglers would be tremendously grateful for.”
“I thank the member for Leichhardt. I acknowledge the strong role that the member for Leichhardt has had in combating foreign fishing and, in particular, in calling for the work of Border Force that's up there now in Operation BROADSTAFF. It has made an extraordinary impact, and some of those people who were trying to steal fish stocks from the locals up there in Leichhardt have discovered fairly suddenly that their vessels have been burnt and that those waters are there for the locals and not for those who want to come in from elsewhere. Some of those would have seen some comments from the opposition this morning.”
“The reason for this is we cannot have a situation where any one member of parliament acts like they're the only person in the room. That's what we can't have. It takes a lot for me to point to the opposition as an example of being constructive—”
“I think it's fair to say that that sort of respect is ordinarily there regardless—it's nothing to do with the gravity of the issue. It's just an acknowledgement that each of us is one out of 150, to make sure that we are conscious that, if everybody acted the way we might want to act in a particular moment, the House could itself become unmanageable. I have been asked by some people for further consultation on this. I would make clear to the House that the motion that I put on the Notice Paper , government business notice No. 4, remains the government's position. But I've been asked to have further conversations about it, which I am happy to do. But I want to be absolutely clear. No-one should pretend that this is a gag or a denial of democratic process or anything like that.”
“on indulgence—When the government seeks to have a debate management motion, there's always discussion in the House as to whether or not that is reasonable. In order for us to make sure that we can respect all 150 members of the parliament, there are a number of things that members ordinarily do. One is to follow the advice of the clerks in terms of when amendments can be grouped together. I would note that the opposition, even though it could be disruptive for them to do otherwise, have in every situation where amendments can be grouped together sought leave to do so and leave is granted and we get constructive debate. Similarly, people make strategic decisions, when they know the outcome of a division, as to which divisions are called for and which are not.”
“I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence: (1) have power to consider and make use of the evidence and records of the Joint Committees on Foreign Affairs and Defence, and Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, appointed during the current and previous Parliaments; and (2) a message be sent to the Senate acquainting it of this resolution and requesting that it concur and take action accordingly. Question agreed to.”
“This is an amendment about who the deputy chair should be and whether they should be a member of the opposition. The deputy chair of the committee is a member of the opposition; it's Senator Dean Smith. As a result of this resolution, there would be changes to other parts of the committee, but it doesn't demand a new election of the deputy chair. I know there's a lot happening in the opposition these days, but my understanding is that Senator Dean Smith is still a member of the opposition and is still deputy chair.”
“I move: That: (1) the resolution of appointment of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade be amended to read as follows; (1) a Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade be appointed to inquire into and report on such matters relating to foreign affairs and trade as may be referred to it by either House of the Parliament or a Minister; (2) annual reports of government departments and authorities and reports of the Auditor-General presented to the House shall stand referred to the committee for any inquiry the committee may wish to make and reports shall stand referred to the committee in accordance with a schedule tabled by the Speaker to record the areas of responsibility of each committee, provided that: (a) any question concerning responsibility for a report or a part of a report shall be determined by the Speaker; and (b) the period during which an inquiry concerning an annual report may be commenced by a committee shall end on the day on which the next annual report of that department or authority is presented to the House; (3) the committee consist of 19 members, eight Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips, five Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips or by any minority group or independent Member, two Senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, two Senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and two Senators to be nominated by any minority group or independent Senator; (4) every nomination of a member of the committee be notified in writing to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (5) the members of the committee hold office as a joint standing committee until the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time; (6) the committee elect a: (a) Government member as its Chair; and (b) non-Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee; (7) at any time when the chair and deputy chair are not present at a meeting of the committee the members present shall elect another member to act as chair at that meeting; (8) in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote; (9) six members of the committee constitute a quorum of the committee, provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House; (10) the committee: (a) have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of three or more of its members and to refer to any subcommittee any matter which the committee is empowered to examine; (b) appoint the chair of each subcommittee who shall have a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equally divided vote, a casting vote; and (c) appoint the deputy chair of each subcommittee who shall act as chair of the subcommittee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the subcommittee and who shall have a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equally divided vote, a casting vote; (11) in addition to the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (10), the chair and deputy chair of the committee be ex officio members of each subcommittee appointed; (12) at any time when the chair and deputy chair of a subcommittee are not present at a meeting of the subcommittee the members of the subcommittee present shall elect another member of that subcommittee to act as chair at that meeting; (13) two members of a subcommittee constitute the quorum of that subcommittee, provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House; (14) members of the committee who are not members of a subcommittee may participate in the proceedings of that subcommittee but shall not vote, move any motion or be counted for the purpose of a quorum; (15) the committee or any subcommittee have power to: (a) call for witnesses to attend and for documents to be produced; (b) conduct proceedings at any place it sees fit; (c) sit in public or in private; (d) report from time to time; (e) adjourn from time to time and to sit during any adjournment of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and (f) conduct meetings for the purpose of private briefings at any time; (16) the committee or any subcommittee have power to consider and make use of the evidence and records of the Joint Committees on Foreign Affairs and Defence, and Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, appointed during previous Parliaments; (17) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders; and (2) a message be sent to the Senate acquainting it of this resolution and requesting that it concur and take action accordingly.”
“As the Bankstown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic celebrates its second birthday, I want to sincerely thank every member of the team for their outstanding service. Your hard work, commitment and care have supported thousands of local residents and our community is stronger because of your efforts. So happy second birthday to the Bankstown Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, and thank you to the incredible staff who continue to serve our community each and every day.”
“Their work has made a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of our community. The Bankstown clinic is one of 137 Medicare urgent care clinics that Labor committed to delivering across the country. We've now delivered every single one of them, and from today they are permanent. We're also continuing to strengthen Medicare by expanding bulk-billing incentives so more Australians can see a GP without paying out of pocket, introducing the 1800MEDICARE helpline to provide trusted health advice day or night. We have had more than three million cheaper medicine scripts filled in the Watson electorate and have reduced the maximum costs of PBS medicines to $25, the same price they were back in 2004. These are practical investments that are improving access to affordable health care for communities like mine.”
“Today marks the second birthday of the Medicare urgent care clinic in Bankstown, a milestone that celebrates not only an important investment in local health care but also the dedicated healthcare professionals who've made its success possible. Over the past two years, the clinic has helped take pressure off the emergency department at Bankstown hospital. People have presented to the clinic around 14,500 times, accessing free walk-in health care close to home. Behind every one of those visits is a team of doctors, nurses and support staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver high-quality care with professionalism, compassion and dedication. Their commitment has ensured that people can receive timely treatment for urgent but non-life threatening conditions, while also helping reduce pressure on the busy hospital emergency departments.”
“It'll better protect our unique natural environment for generations to come. It'll act as the agile, independent umpire that Australia's environment needs. It's the cornerstone and something that both business and environmental groups were calling for—environmental reform that this government came to the table to deliver. But the three right-wing parties once again all did the exact same thing: voted no to better protections for the environment; voted no to having a streamlined, independent system; and voted no to making sure that Australia would have a national environmental protection agency. But 1 July involves many changes that are positive for this nation, and the EPA stands high as one of them.”
“Today, after a long campaign by many members, who I look at on the backbench of this party and this government, the Albanese Labor government establishes the first day of the National Environmental Protection Agency. For a long time, we needed a modern and efficient regulator so that people had clear understanding of our environmental laws to make sure that those laws were followed. Thanks to the reforms that were passed last year, we now have a strong regulatory toolkit, we have stronger powers for environmental protection, we have an expanded auditing framework, and we have increased penalties for serious and deliberate environmental harm. It means you get consistency. It means you get transparency. It means you get integrity in environmental decision-making at a national level. The EPA will be a strong, independent regulator.”
“Isn't it good again to have a member for Griffith who cares about delivering for the environment? It's been the case that all the major environmental outcomes for this country have been delivered by Labor governments. As a Queenslander, the member for Griffith knows all too well that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park exists because of the Whitlam government. Members know that the saving of the Franklin, the Daintree and Kakadu and the largest environmental protection decision in the history of the planet in the protection in the Antarctic all happened through the years of the Hawke-Keating governments. When we were last in government, there was the second largest conservation decision in the history of the planet: the marine national parks that were put in place and, earlier, the expansion of those marine parks in our first term.”
“I declare that, unless otherwise ordered, the Defence Legislation Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 2) Bill 2026 and the Statute Update Bill 2026 stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill.”
“on indulgence—On behalf of all of us, I think it's important to mark the moment, acknowledging the work across the parliament from all members of the delegation on both sides. I think members would also want, given the report that you've just given, for the pride that all members take in the leadership role that you've taken to be noted, and the significance that that has for democracy and the pursuit of democracy, particularly in our region. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“I declare that, unless otherwise ordered, the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of the bill.”
“In February, there was another arrest in another part of WA for someone whose bigotry was directed against politicians, against government, against police and against Muslims. There are two specific instructions that have been given to each and every one of us that can work to keep Australians safe. When people know of anything they think might be of concern, regardless of the form of bigotry, they should contact the national terrorism hotline, the National Security Hotline, 1800123400. Secondly, as the Prime Minister reflected in those words earlier, we all have a responsibility to take the temperature down to keep our nation safe.”
“Something that we would all objectively regard as a terrorist act, the burning at the Adass Israel synagogue, was not what traditionally had been the operating method. We know now that it was directed by Iran in an act of foreign interference using organised crime, combining communal violence and politically motivated violence, into an act of state sponsored terrorism. There are multiple forms of bigotry, and every one of them can lead to violence. The director-general referred to summer alone, where in December we had the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi. In January we had a very near miss where it will be alleged in court that intention was there for that bomb to go off in Perth, which could have a mass casualty event directed by bigotry against First Nations Australians.”
“He predicted in last year's speech that the threat dynamic by 2030 would be more dynamic, more diverse and degraded. Only 12 months later, he said what he had predicted would be the case by 2030 was already here. Global tensions, new technology and the temperature of debate in the country have all contributed to a heightened security situation for Australia. He highlighted, in particular, while all forms of bigotry have the capacity to lead to violence, the fact is that, with antisemitism, almost every violent group comes together on this, whether it is ISIS inspired groups, whether it is Neo-Nazis or whether it is conspiracy theorists. He also highlighted that direct traditional forms of terrorism are not the only threats that we deal with.”
“I thank the member for Robertson and acknowledge the significant role he plays on the PJCIS, the intelligence committee, and acknowledge the members on both sides of the House for the role that is responsibly played by members of that committee in dealing with national security. As the director-general made clear last night, our threat alert level remains at 'probable'. The level above 'probable', 'expected', can only be reached when there is very specific intelligence about an immediate attack, and we are not in that situation. Therefore, the director-general wanted to make the point very clearly to everyone that we should not presume that, because the threat alert level remains at 'probable', we are at the same spot as to where we were when it was first put at that level a couple of years ago. We are not.”
“For the information of members across the non-government benches, there's a series of aspects to the sessional order that basically deal with the proportion of how many questions and other things go to the opposition versus the crossbench. Since the Farrer by election, the mathematics on that have changed. There's no actual change to question time, but there are changes to constituency statements and 90-second statements. Question agreed to.”
“(f) During the grievance debate in the Federation Chamber, every Tuesday priority shall be given to a crossbench Member seeking the call as the first speaker ( standing order 192B ). (g) During the adjournment debate in the House, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays priority shall be given to a crossbench Member seeking the call as the first speaker ( standing order 31 ). (h) During the adjournment debate in the Federation Chamber, every Thursday priority shall be given to a crossbench Member seeking the call as the first speaker ( standing order 191 ). (i) For the matter of public importance discussion, the Speaker shall have regard to the crossbench proportion of the non-government membership of the House in selecting matters proposed ( standing order 46 ).”
“(b) During each period of Members' statements in the House, priority shall be given to at least three crossbench Members seeking the call ( standing order 43 ). (c) During each period of Members' statements in the Federation Chamber on Mondays, priority shall be given to at least four crossbench Members seeking the call ( standing order 43 ). (d) During each 30 minute period of Members' constituency statements in the Federation Chamber, priority shall be given to at least one crossbench Member seeking the call ( standing order 193 ). (e) During each one hour period of Members' constituency statements in the Federation Chamber, priority shall be given to at least three crossbench Members seeking the call ( standing order 193 ).”
“I move: That sessional order 65A be amended to read as follows: 65A Opportunities for crossbench Members Consistent with the principle that the call should alternate between government and non-government Members and to enable crossbench Members to receive the call in accordance with the crossbench proportion of the non-government membership of the House: (a) During Question Time, priority shall be given to: (i) a crossbench Member seeking the call on the fifth, thirteenth, seventeenth and twenty-first questions; and (ii) an opposition Member seeking the call on the first, third, seventh, ninth, eleventh, fifteenth, nineteenth, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh and twenty-ninth questions.”
“I declare that, unless otherwise ordered, Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 and Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026 stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill.”
“The question goes as well to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, and the question goes to what happens to water allocations during times of drought and obviously, as the member would be more aware than most people in the chamber, the different sorts of water security. For example, in the southern areas of his electorate, there are areas which have very low water security, whereas the licences in a place like Griffith on the Murrumbidgee tend to have high water security. That affects what is planted. You're more likely to have opportunity crops like rice in areas where the water security levels change radically, and you'll have permanent plantings like oranges, for example, in areas such as the Riverina and around Griffith, where the water security levels are much higher. What the Murray Darling Plan did was—”
“For people who would normally be keen to get flights, particularly those who have significant distances to travel, I'd rather let them know now the likelihood that we are here beyond 5 pm on Thursday is high while we wait for messages from the Senate.”
“I suspect we will still get through all of that before 6.30, but if we don't, it is possible that we would continue having divisions beyond 6.30. They would not be postponed—divisions under this motion. We'd continue doing that until we finish with the bill. But then, once we've finished with the bill, the normal rules would apply in terms of no further divisions or quorum calls taking place. The final thing, I can just advise members—this is not part of what's in front of us, but is for people planning their diaries—it is likely that the House will remain here on Thursday while we are waiting for messages from the Senate.”
“If we finish before 5.30, then we would still have the ordinary adjournment debate speeches until 5.30, and, at the moment we get to 530, the House would adjourn. So the usual practice of being able to get through six adjournment speeches I think certainly won't happen, but there may well be time for a couple. But at 5.30 the House will conclude today. Tomorrow, we will be dealing with the workplace relations bill. That will be debated until 1.30 and interrupted for 90-second statements, question time and the MPI, as usual. Following the MPI, debate on that bill will recommence, and at 5.30 we would go through a period of votes. I suspect there will be amendments in detail on that bill. For each of those, where there's an amendment in detail, the mover would have five minutes and the minister would have five minutes to respond.”
“I'll explain what this resolution means for the rest of the week, because it has a number of changes in how the House will operate. First of all, we're in an unusual situation for the budget sittings. Normally, when the budget sittings finish, we are still in the current financial year. Whereas this time, in terms of the Senate, getting some legislation that has to get through this financial year creates a different circumstance. So, for the order of debate, this resolution means that the excise bill would go through all of its stages today. If there are divisions, and I presume there will, at least, be a second reading amendment, they will commence at 5 pm and then go through all stages.”
“2) Bill 2026 and the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026, motions other than amendments to the motions for the second reading, or detail amendments, to either bill, not being permitted except for motions moved by a Minister; and (4) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister. I expect there will be some parts of this that are supported unanimously, including for us to be able to get to the War Memorial this evening. I know we'll come to a vote fairly shortly, I suspect, because there are some parts of it that won't have the unanimous support of the House. But I want to make clear from the outset it's understood that everybody would be supportive of the early finish for the War Memorial. I just think it's important to say that.”
“1) Bill 2026 being resumed, and: (a) at 5.30 pm, or if the debate concludes earlier, the questions being put immediately on any second reading amendments and on the second reading of the bill; (b) if a detail stage is required, any amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them with: (i) one question to be put on any government amendments; (ii) one question to be put on any opposition amendments; and (iii) separate questions to be put on any sets of amendments circulated by crossbench Members; (c) debate on any amendments provided for under paragraph (2)(b) being limited to up to five minutes for the mover and up to five minutes for a minister speaking in reply; (d) the questions necessary to complete the remaining stages of the bill being put immediately; and (e) deferral of divisions not applying during proceedings on this bill; (3) during consideration of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No.”
“2) Bill 2026 conclude after 5.30 pm, once concluded, the House immediately standing adjourned until 9 am on Wednesday, 24 June 2026; (d) any divisions called for during debate on the adjournment question being deferred until the first opportunity the next sitting day; and (e) the Federation Chamber standing automatically adjourned at no later than 5 pm; (2) on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, if not completed earlier, immediately following the conclusion of the discussion of a matter of public importance, debate on the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No.”
“2) Bill 2026 if concluded between 5 pm and 5.30 pm, the Speaker proposing—That the House do now adjourn—and debate on the question continuing until 5.30 pm, at which time the House standing adjourned until 9 am on Wednesday, 24 June 2026; (c) if proceedings on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No.”
“2) Bill 2026 being called on, and: (i) at 5 pm, or if the debate concludes earlier, questions being put immediately on any second reading amendments and on the second reading of the bill; (ii) if a detail stage is required, any amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them with: (A) one question to be put immediately on any government amendments; (B) one question to be put immediately on any opposition amendments; and (C) separate questions to be put immediately on any sets of amendments circulated by crossbench Members; and (iii) the questions necessary to complete the remaining stages of the bill being put immediately; (b) at 5 pm, or immediately following proceedings on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No.”
“I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring: (1) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026: (a) immediately following the discussion of a matter of public importance, the order of the day for the resumption of the debate on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No.”
“by leave—I move: That the amended resolution of appointment for the House Select Committee on Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses and Organisations be further amended to replace paragraph (16) with the following: "(16) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders." Question agreed to.”
“Just to be able to get the appropriations bills back from the Federation Chamber, so that we can deal with them later in the day, I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent paragraph (3) of the resolution agreed to on 28 May 2026 for the consideration of Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 and related Appropriation Bills being amended to read as follows: "(3) any questions necessary to complete consideration in the Federation Chamber of each of the bills being put immediately without debate, and if consideration of any of the bills has not been completed in the Federation Chamber by 1.30 pm on 4 June 2026, the bills standing referred to the House".”
“1) Bill 2026, when the order of the day for the resumption of debate is called on: (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) any consideration in detail amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them with: (i) one question to be put on any government amendments; (ii) one question to be put on any opposition amendments; and (iii) separate questions to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; (d) debate on any amendments provided for under paragraph (2)(c) being limited to up to five minutes for the mover and up to five minutes for a minister speaking in reply; and (e) the questions necessary to complete the remaining stages of the bill to be put immediately; and (3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.”
“I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following: (1) in relation to proceedings on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026: (a) when the bill is considered in detail, any amendments circulated being treated as if they had been moved [together] by the Member proposing them with: (i) one question to be put on any government amendments; (ii) one question to be put on any opposition amendments; and (iii) separate questions to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; (b) debate on any amendments provided for under paragraph (1)(a) being limited to up to five minutes for the mover and up to five minutes for a minister speaking in reply; and (c) the questions necessary to complete the remaining stages of the bill being put immediately; (2) in relation to proceedings on the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No.”
“The government is happy to accept the amendment, but I advise members, even though it's a time limited debate, that, if we want to make sure that people get to speak on the tax bills, we're just going to have to get moving on it. In the interests of that, I'll accept the amendment. Question agreed to. Original question, as amended, agreed to.”
“I move: That: (1) a House Select Committee on Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses and Organisations be appointed to inquire into and report on: (a) the cyber maturity of Australian small to medium sized businesses and organisations, including not-for-profit organisations; (b) the adequacy, appropriateness and accessibility of guidance provided to small to medium sized businesses and organisations by Government in relation to cyber security; (c) whether there are appropriate standards for small to medium sized businesses and organisations in relation to cyber security; (d) the ease for small to medium sized businesses and organisations to procure appropriate cyber security services in Australia; (e) the importance of training for employees on good cyber security practices to the overall cyber security of small to medium sized businesses and organisations; (f) the impact of cyber security maturity on the feasibility for small to medium businesses and organisations to participate in Government and large corporate supply chains; and (g) any other related matters; (2) the committee presents its final report by no later than 31 March 2027; (3) the committee may choose to table an interim report at any time; (4) the committee consist of: (a) seven voting members, four Members to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips, two Members to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips, and one crossbench member to be nominated by the Opposition Whip; and (b) two supplementary (non-voting) members (one Government, one non-Government) who may be substituted from time to time as advised by the Government Whip or Whips (in the case of a supplementary Government member) and the Opposition Whip or Whips (in the case of a supplementary non-Government member); (5) every nomination of a member of the committee be notified in writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (6) the members of the committee hold office as a House select committee until 30 April 2027 or the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time, whichever is the earlier; (7) the committee elect a: (a) Government member as its chair; and (b) non-Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee; (8) at any time when the chair and deputy chair are not present at a meeting of the committee the members present shall elect another member to act as chair at that meeting; (9) in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, shall have a casting vote; (10) three members of the committee including at least one Government member constitute a quorum of the committee; (11) the committee: (a) have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of three or more of its members and to refer to any subcommittee any matter which the committee is empowered to examine or conduct public hearings; and (b) appoint the chair of each subcommittee who shall have a casting vote only; (12) at any time when the chair of a subcommittee is not present at a meeting of the subcommittee, the members of the subcommittee present shall elect another member of that subcommittee to act as chair at that meeting; (13) two members of a subcommittee constitute a quorum of that subcommittee including at least one government member; (14) members of the committee who are not members of a subcommittee may participate in the proceedings of that subcommittee but shall not vote, move any motion or be counted for the purpose of a quorum; (15) the committee or any subcommittee have power to: (a) call for witnesses to attend and for documents to be produced; (b) conduct proceedings at any place it sees fit; (c) sit in public or in private; (d) report from time to time; and (e) adjourn from time to time and sit during any adjournment of the House of Representatives; and (16) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders.”
“That standard goes to the substance of the Samuel review in that it sets clear objectives and outcomes for protected matters, including prioritising mitigation. The second standard is the offset standard. That one is still open but closes soon. Regarding the standard that's raised in the question, as well as these standards being out for community consultation, community consultation itself will have a standard. And I'm advised that work on the standard is well progressed, and the government anticipates that it will be released for consultation in the coming weeks.”
“I thank the member for Indi for the question and acknowledge her long-term engagement in community consultation generally and specifically with respect to EPBC reform, and I also acknowledge that she's raised this issue with me previously in this chamber. At the end of last year we passed consequential changes to environmental law, but behind the environmental law a series of standards had to be established to effectively create the impact of those reforms. As the question referred to, there are new national environmental standards and supplementary guidelines to get the system up and running. The consultation period on the first standard, which is on matters of national environmental significance, has just closed.”