The House met, at 9 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.

Selection Committee

The Speaker presented the following document:

Report No. 34 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 10 February 2025.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 412, 4 February 2025, from the Senate was reported informing the House that Senator Sharma had been discharged from attendance on the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Senator Askew had been appointed a member of the committee.

Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) Bill 2025

Dr Aly (Minister for Early Childhood Education), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to child care subsidy, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Aly presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Dr Aly moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Ted O’Brien), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to electricity infrastructure, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Bowen presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Mr Bowen moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Ted O’Brien), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Social Security Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes) Bill 2025

Ms Rishworth (Minister for Social Services), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rishworth presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Ms Rishworth moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Ted O’Brien), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Defence Service Homes Amendment (Insurance) Bill 2025

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.

Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.

On the motion of Mr Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel), the bill was read a third time.

Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity 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 by Ms Ley who moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“the House notes that under this Government, Australians’ access to affordable health care through the Medicare Benefits Schedule has only gone backwards, and it has never been harder or more expensive to see a GP”.

Debate ensued.

Mr Bates moved, as an amendment to the amendment proposed by Ms Ley—That all words after “the” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“House, whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading:

(1) notes that:

(a) Medicare cannot be a universal healthcare system while essential dental care is excluded; and

(b) the Australian Dental Association’s annual oral health survey found that over 60 per cent of Australians had delayed a trip to the dentist in the previous 12 months, with cost being the main barrier; and

(2) calls on the Government to legislate the inclusion of dental care into Medicare”.

Debate ensued.

Mr R Mitchell addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr R Mitchell 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 ( the Honourable Anthony (Tony) John Messner )

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister) referred to the death of the Honourable Anthony (Tony) John Messner AM, and moved—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 11 October 2024, of the Honourable Anthony (Tony) John Messner AM, a former Minister and Senator for the State of South Australia from 1975 to 1990, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

Mr Dutton (Leader of the Opposition) having seconded the motion and all Members present having risen, in silence—

Debate adjourned (Mr Burke—Leader of the House), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Mr Burke declared the order of the day referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.26 pm the Member for Fadden ( Mr Caldwell ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continued.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Copyright Agency Limited—Report for 2023-24.

Treaty— Text, together with associated documents —Nauru-Australia Treaty (Canberra, 9 December 2024).

*The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Regional Australia

The House was informed that Mr Hogan had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “Regional Australia has given up on the Government, because this Government has given up on regional Australia”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Hogan addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Wallace (Deputy Chair) presented the following document:

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Review of Administration and Expenditure No. 22 (2022-23)—Australian Intelligence Agencies—Report, November 2024.

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

Mr Wallace, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Burns (Chair) presented the following document:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Human rights scrutiny report: Report 1 of 2025—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, 5 February 2025.

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

Mr Burns, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

COMMITTEES—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Opposition Whip had nominated Members to be members of certain committees.

Mr Giles (Minister for Skills and Training), by leave, moved—That Members be discharged and appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the following list:

Mr Pasin be discharged from the Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport and that, in his place, Mr Ramsey be appointed a member of the committee;

Mr Goodenough be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and that, in his place, Mr Caldwell be appointed a member of the committee;

Mr Goodenough be discharged from the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit and that, in his place, Mrs Andrews be appointed a member of the committee; and

Mr Willcox be appointed a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

Question—put and passed.

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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Howarth, 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 resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Burke—Leader of the House), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders—Time and Order of Business for this sitting

Mr Burke (Leader of the House), pursuant to notice, moved—That for Wednesday, 5 February 2025:

(1) standing order 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) be suspended;

(2) so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring in relation to business:

(a) in the House, notwithstanding standing order 31, at 8 pm the adjournment debate being interrupted and government business having priority until:

(i) business concludes, if earlier than 10 pm; or

(ii) 10 pm; or

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

at which point, the debate being adjourned and the House immediately adjourning until Thursday, 6 February at 9 am; and

(b) in the Federation Chamber, 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.

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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Howarth (see item No. 19) —

Debate resumed.

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

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

Debate ensued.

Scams Prevention Framework 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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Howarth (see item No. 19) —

Debate resumed.

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

ADJOURNMENT

At 8.46 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 5 February 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Health Insurance Act 1973—

Health Insurance Legislative Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Determination 2025 [F2025L00079].

Health Insurance (Section 3C General Medical Services—Optometric Services) Amendment Determination 2025 [F2025L00077].

Health Insurance (Section 3C Participating Nurse Practitioner and Midwife Services—Attendances and Other Changes) Amendment Determination 2025 [F2025L00078].

Navigation Act 2012 and Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983— Marine Order 91 (Marine pollution prevention—oil) 2025—AMSA MO 2025/1 [F2025L00076].

Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017— Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017—Advice of decision to pay assistance—23 January 2025.

Taxation Administration Act 1953—

2023 Australian Common Reporting Standard Reportable Accounts by Jurisdiction.

Commissioner of Taxation—Class Rulings—CR 2025/3, CR 2025/4, CR 2025/5.

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Katter, Ms O’Neil, Mr Thompson and Mr Willcox.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) 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.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.33 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 12.53 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 12.57 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 5.02 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 5.21 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

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

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Mr Coleman, by leave, moved Opposition amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 2 together.

Debate ensued.

Amendments, by leave, withdrawn.

Documents

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) presented two supplementary explanatory memoranda to the bill.

Mr Burke, by leave, moved Government amendments (1) to (19) on sheet EZ100 and amendment (1) on sheet AA101 together.

Debate ensued.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Burke, by leave, moved Government amendments (1) to (19) on sheet EZ100 together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put and not resolved.

Mr Burke moved Government amendment (1) on sheet AA101.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put and not resolved.

Ms Spender, by leave, moved amendments (1), (11), (13) and (14) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put and not resolved.

Ms Spender, by leave, moved amendments (2) to (10) and (12) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put and not resolved.

Mr Coleman, by leave, moved Opposition amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 3 together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put and not resolved.

Ordered—That the bill be returned to the House with unresolved questions.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr Burke (Leader of the House), the Federation Chamber adjourned at 8.29 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber