The House met, at 12 noon, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.

Developing Northern Australia —MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms M. M. H. King (Minister for Northern Australia), by leave, made a ministerial statement relating to developing Northern Australia.

Mr Littleproud addressed the House in reply.

Document

Ms M. M. H. King presented the following document:

2024 Annual statement to the Parliament on developing Northern Australia—Statement by the Minister for Resources and the Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King MP, 19 November 2024.

Ms M. M. H. King moved—That the House take note of the document.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Ms M. M. H. King, by leave, moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

BILLS DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the following bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration:

(1) Cyber Security Bill 2024;

Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024; and

Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024; and

(2) Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024;

Migration Amendment Bill 2024;

Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals and Other Measures) Bill 2024;

Customs Amendment (ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Second Protocol Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024; and

Navigation Amendment Bill 2024;

at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of each bill.

Suspension of standing and sessional orders—Time and order of business for this sitting

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury), for Mr Burke (Leader of the House), pursuant to notice, moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring on Tuesday, 19 November:

(1) notwithstanding standing order 31, if the second reading debate on the National Broadband Network Companies Amendment (Commitment to Public Ownership) Bill 2024 has not concluded earlier, at 8 pm the adjournment debate being interrupted and the bill being called on for further consideration, with the second reading debate continuing until:

(a) no further Members rise to speak, after which the question is put on the second reading; or

(b) 10 pm; or

(c) a later time specified by a Minister prior to 10 pm;

at which point, the debate being adjourned and the House immediately adjourning until Wednesday, 20 November at 9 am;

(2) in the Federation Chamber, when the grievance debate is adjourned, government business being given priority until the Federation Chamber adjourns at approximately 9.30 pm; and

(3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.

Question—put and passed.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 364, 18 November 2024, from the Senate was reported informing the House that Senator McKim had been appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards.

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

POSTPONEMENT OF ORDER OF THE DAY

Ordered—That order of the day No. 2, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.

Migration Amendment Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals and Other Measures) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Dr Leigh—Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Customs Amendment (ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Second Protocol Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Watts—Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Navigation Amendment Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Watts—Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Free TAFE Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Watts—Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Mr Howarth moving an amendment—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr Howarth was granted leave to continue his speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

DEATH OF FORMER SENATOR ( John Richard Coulter )

The Speaker informed the House of the death, on 6 September 2024, of John Richard Coulter, a Senator for the State of South Australia from 1987 to 1995.

As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased all Members present stood, in silence.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.23 pm the Member for Fisher ( Mr Wallace ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for continuing to interject after a warning had been given by the Chair and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continued.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman—Corporate plan for 2025-28.

Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021— Registrar’s activity report for 2023-24.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Renewable Energy

The House was informed that Mr Ted O’Brien had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s risky and expensive plan to rely wholly on renewables to meet Australia’s energy needs”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Ted O’Brien addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr O’Connor presented the following document:

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—Inquiry into the Defence annual report 2022-23—Report, October 2024.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

Mr O’Connor and Mr Wallace, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Mr McCormack seconded the amendment moved by Mr Howarth ( see item No. 13, page 2021 ), viz. —That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes the Government’s:

(1) rushed, half-finished and last-minute approach to legislating its scams prevention policy; and

(2) failure to control homegrown inflation and address the cost of living crisis;

is leaving Australians more vulnerable to scams”.

Debate adjourned (Ms Plibersek—Minister for the Environment and Water), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

National Broadband Network Companies Amendment (Commitment to Public Ownership) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) addressing the House—

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

It being 7.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

National Broadband Network Companies Amendment (Commitment to Public Ownership) Bill 2024

It being 8 pm—In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting—

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), by leave, again addressed the House.

Debate continued.

Question—put.

A division having been called for, in accordance with standing order 133 the division was deferred until the first opportunity the next sitting day.

ADJOURNMENT

At 9.25 pm, the Speaker adjourned the House until 9 am tomorrow, in accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier this sitting.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 19 November 2024 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Aged Care Act 1997— Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2024 [F2024L01464].

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Operation of RPA in Sydney Harbour Restricted Areas, R405A and R405B (CASA-Verified Drone Safety App) Instrument 2024—CASA 67/24 [F2024L01461].

Industry Research and Development Act 1986— Industry Research and Development (Dealership and Repairer Initiative for Vehicle Electrification Nationally (DRIVEN) Program) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01460].

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013—

Notice under section 72—Corporate Commonwealth entity acquires shares in a company—National Intermodal Corporation Limited—4 November 2024.

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Section 75 Transfers) Amendment Determination 2023-2024 (No. 9) [F2024L01463].

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Section 75 Transfers) Amendment Determination 2024-2025 (No. 2) [F2024L01462].

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986— Veterans’ Entitlements (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Amendment (Additional Community Supply Support Payment) Determination 2024 [F2024L01444].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Albanese, Mr Bowen, Mr Buchholz and Mr Wilkie.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 4 pm.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Ms Steggall moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:

(1) is of the opinion that the bill:

(a) should not proceed further until referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, to inquire into the intended and unintended consequences, with a report due to the House by the first sitting day of 2025;

(b) creates an unfair playing field, giving advantage to incumbents over new candidates by failing to give all candidates the same public funding for administrative support and failing to account for incumbent resources such as an office, staff, a vehicle and marketing budget whilst imposing a spending cap on candidates;

(c) provides disproportionate yearly administrative assistance funding to major political parties, and fails to account for any economies of scale; and

(d) entrenches political party advantage over independent candidates by imposing a spending cap on individual seats while still permitting additional party advertising under a party’s $90 million national cap;

(2) requests that:

(a) an assessment of realistic administrative compliance costs under the bill be undertaken; and

(b) a cap be placed on administrative assistance funding to political parties to accurately reflect administrative compliance costs; and

(3) notes that in the midst of cost of living pressures, the Government is giving itself and other parties substantial increases of public funding instead of prioritising increased support to Australians who are doing it tough”.

Debate ensued.

Dr Scamps addressing the Federation Chamber—

It being 6.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 192, Dr Scamps was granted leave to continue her speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

GRIEVANCE DEBATE

Pursuant to the provisions of standing order 192 b , the order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That grievances be noted—

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for the debate having expired—

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Ms Steggall (see item No. 3, page 2024) —

Debate resumed.

Question—put and not being resolved—bill to be returned to the House with an unresolved question.

Cyber Security Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General

Message No. 216, 8 October 2024, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Documents

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum and a correction to the explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Hill, by leave, Government amendments (1) to (4) were made together.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House with amendments—put and passed.

Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Hill, by leave, Government amendments (1) to (4) were made together.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House with amendments—put and passed.

Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Hill, by leave, Government amendments (1) to (6) were made together.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House with amendments—put and passed.

Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals and Other Measures) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

ADJOURNMENT

At 9.13 pm, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Federation Chamber until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber