The House met, at 10 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.

PETITIONS—standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Templeman (Chair) presented the following documents:

Petitions—Standing Committee—Report 37: Petitions and Ministerial responses—

Report, 10 February 2025.

Petitions.

Ministers’ responses to petitions previously presented to the House.

Ms Templeman made a statement in connection with petitions.

Australian Parliamentary Delegation —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Vamvakinou presented the following document:

Joint Standing Committee on Migration Delegation to New Zealand and Vanuatu, 26 to 31 August 2024—Report, February 2025.

Ms Vamvakinou made a statement in connection with the report.

Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025

Mr Wilkie, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish the Whistleblower Protection Authority, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Wilkie presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

National Land Transport Act Amendment (Better Value for Taxpayers) Bill 2025

Ms Spender, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the National Land Transport Act 2014 , and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Spender presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill 2025

Dr Scamps, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to ensure that public bodies act in pursuit of the wellbeing of current and future generations of Australians, to establish a Commissioner for Future Generations, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Scamps presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

Interactive Gambling Amendment (Know Your Losses Activity Statement) Bill 2025

Ms Sharkie, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 , and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Sharkie presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

Child care

Ms Bell, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) it has been almost three years since the Government was elected and the cost of child care has increased by a whopping 22.3 per cent;

(b) since the Government introduced its cheaper child care policy, out of pocket costs for families have sky rocketed by 12.7 per cent;

(c) almost 30 per cent of child care services are charging over the hourly rate cap under the current Government, compared to 21 per cent under the previous Government; and

(d) this is just another broken promise from the Government that continues to leave Australian families behind; and

(2) calls on the Government to deliver:

(a) more access to early childhood education and care places to support Australians to return to the workforce; and

(b) real cost of living relief to families.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Medicare

Dr Reid, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges that the Government is building Australia’s future by building a stronger Medicare with:

(a) free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, so that you and your family have access to bulk billed health care when you need it;

(b) cheaper medicines, cutting the cost of prescriptions; and

(c) the largest investment in bulk billing in Medicare history, which is restoring bulk billing after 10 years of cuts and neglect;

(2) expresses its concern at the Leader of the Opposition’s record as Health Minister when he:

(a) tried to end bulk billing by making patients pay a tax every time they see a General Practitioner;

(b) cut $50 billion from public hospitals; and

(c) was voted worst Health Minister in the history of Medicare by Australian doctors; and

(3) further acknowledges only the Government can be trusted to protect and strengthen Medicare.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Taxing billionaires and big corporations

Ms Watson-Brown, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that billionaires and big corporations have too much power over our democracy; and

(2) calls on the Government to tax billionaires and big corporations to fund the cost of living relief that Australians need, including:

(a) covering dental and mental health under Medicare;

(b) making sure everyone can see the GP for free;

(c) building housing people can actually afford; and

(d) wiping student debt.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL—ASSENT TO BILL

A message from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced informing the House that Her Excellency, in the name of His Majesty, had assented to the following bill:

7 February 2025—Message No. 233— Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) 2025 .

AusCheck Amendment (Global Entry Program) Bill 2025

Mr Thistlethwaite (Assistant Minister for Immigration), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the AusCheck Act 2007 , and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Thistlethwaite presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned (Mr Sukkar—Manager of Opposition Business), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Seventeenth Anniversary of the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and the Closing the Gap Annual Report and Implementation Plan —MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by leave, made a ministerial statement relating to the seventeenth anniversary of the national apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and the Closing the Gap annual report and implementation plan, and presented the following documents:

Closing the Gap—

Statement by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP, 10 February 2025.

Commonwealth 2024 Annual Report and Commonwealth 2025 Implementation Plan.

Coalition of Peaks—Closing the Gap—

Implementation Plan 2025.

Report for 2023-24.

Mr Dutton (Leader of the Opposition) addressed the House in reply.

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That the House take note of the Closing the Gap statement by the Prime Minister.

Debate adjourned (Mr Sukkar—Manager of Opposition Business), 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.

POSTPONEMENT OF NOTICE

Ordered—That notice No. 1, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.

National Capital and External Territories—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms Payne (Chair) presented the following document:

National Capital and External Territories—Joint Standing Committee—Australia’s Antarctic Territory: Report on the inquiry into the importance of Antarctica to Australia’s national interests—Report, February 2025.

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

Ms Payne and Mrs Marino, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Ms Payne moved—That the House take note of the report.

In accordance with standing order 39, the debate was adjourned, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Ms Payne moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Death of former Senator (the Honourable Anthony (Tony) John Messner)—CONDOLENCE MOTION—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the order of the day relating to the Prime Minister’s motion of condolence in connection with the Honourable Anthony (Tony) John Messner AM had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion.

All Members present having risen, in silence—Motion agreed to.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Crimes Act 1914—

Authorities for assumed identities—Report for 2023-24—Department of Home Affairs.

Witness identity protection certificates—Report for 2023-24—Department of Home Affairs.

Treaty— Text, together with associated documents —Partial Revision of the 2019 Radio Regulations, as incorporated into the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) (Dubai, 15 December 2023).

Retirement of Members—STATEMENTS

Mr Perrett, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to his retirement and, by leave, presented the following document:

List of names—Graham Perrett MP, 10 February 2025.

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), by indulgence, also made a statement on the matter.

Ms Vamvakinou, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to her retirement.

Mr Albanese, by indulgence, also made a statement on the matter.

Mr Fletcher, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to his retirement.

Mr Dutton (Leader of the Opposition) and Mr Burke (Leader of the House), by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.

Ms Tink, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to her retirement.

Mr Burke and Mr Chester, by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.

Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) 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.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Debate ensued.

The House continuing to sit until 8 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 10 February 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—

Part 61 Flight Crew Licensing (Prescribed Aircraft and Type Ratings) (Edition 10) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00087].

Type Ratings Excluded from Part 142 Flight Training (Edition 8) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00095].

Currency Act 1965— Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2025 Royal Australian Mint No. 1) Determination 2025 [F2025L00096].

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation List of CITES Species Amendment (2025/002) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00088].

List of Exempt Native Specimens Amendment (Commonwealth Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery) Instrument January 2025 [F2025L00090].

Health Insurance Act 1973— Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Hospital-Only Services and Other Measures) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00092].

Migration Act 1958 —Notice under section 501C(9)—5 February 2025.

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013— Notices under section 72—

Commonwealth acquires shares in a company—

National Intermodal Corporation Limited—4 February 2025.

Snowy Hydro Limited—5 February 2025.

WSA Co Limited—3 February 2025.

Corporate Commonwealth entity acquires shares in a company—

BHP Group Limited—5 February 2025.

Woodside Energy Group LTD—5 February 2025.

Corporate Commonwealth entity disposes of shares in a company—Commonwealth Bank of Australia—5 February 2025.

Reserve Bank Act 1959— Reserve Bank Amendment (Reserve Bank Reforms) Regulations 2025 [F2025L00091].

Social Security Act 1991— Social Security (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment—North Queensland Floods) Determination 2025—LIN 25/022 [F2025L00093].

Sydney Airport Demand Management Act 1997— Minister’s Directions to the Slot Manager 2025 (No. 1).

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Katter, Mr Thompson and Mr R Wilson.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 10.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Road safety

Mr Pasin, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that 1,300 lives were lost on Australian roads in 2024;

(2) recognises that:

(a) this is the highest road toll since 2012; and

(b) the national road toll has risen each of the past four years, a situation not seen since 1966, or before the introduction of compulsory seat belts;

(3) acknowledges that the annual fatality rate per 100,000 head of population is now 4.8, well over double the National Road Safety target of 2.0; and

(4) calls on the Government to take action on the road safety crisis that is now killing more than 100 Australians every month and hospitalising 100 Australians every day.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Jobs and investment in Western Australia

Ms Mascarenhas, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges that the Government has created more than a million jobs;

(2) commends the Government for standing up for Western Australia and for recognising that Western Australia is the engine room of the economy;

(3) recognises that production tax credits for critical minerals will encourage critical mineral processing in Western Australia and create secure jobs in the resources sector; and

(4) calls on the Opposition to support the production tax credits instead of blocking jobs and investment in Western Australia.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Rural doctor shortage

Mr Gee, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges the:

(a) disgraceful rural doctor shortage crisis unfolding across rural Australia; and

(b) devastating impacts this crisis is having on the health of country Australians; and

(2) resolves to:

(a) take urgent action to end the crisis and get more doctors practising in rural, regional and remote communities; and

(b) deliver equality in access to doctors and medical services to country residents and country communities.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Prioritising trade apprentices

Mr Repacholi, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Government’s commitment to supporting apprentices and addressing the skills shortage which was left unaddressed by the previous Government;

(2) notes the failure of the previous Government to adequately support trade apprentices, instead diverting taxpayer funds to big business, including:

(a) $72 million to McDonald’s, which posted record profits of $360 million in 2022-23;

(b) $28.3 million to Grill’d, despite its profits surging by 700 per cent, hitting $15.8 million in 2020-21; and

(c) $1.6 million to a Domino’s franchisee in South Australia, which was later banned from employing apprentices due to a failure to meet training obligations;

(3) commends the Government for prioritising trade apprentices through new initiatives, including:

(a) introducing the Housing Construction Apprenticeship Program, providing $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in key residential construction trades; and

(b) increasing the allowance for apprentices living away from home, the first increase in more than 20 years; and

(4) supports these measures as vital steps towards building a skilled, sustainable workforce.

Debate ensued.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.50 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 1.04 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 1.09 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 1.21 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

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

Australia Day 2025 award recipients

Mr Hogan, pursuant to notice, moved the motion relating to Australia Day 2025 award recipients in the terms in which it appeared on the Notice Paper.

The time allotted for private Members’ business having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.30 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Child care

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Bell ( see item No. 8, page 2188) —

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Agriculture sector

Mr Repacholi, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that the Government has been delivering for Australian farmers and producers, helping our nearly $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors continue to grow;

(2) acknowledges the Government has:

(a) recorded 169 market access achievements since July 2022, including:

(i) 22 new markets opened;

(ii) 66 improvements to reduce cost or requirements to export;

(iii) 72 achievements to maintain access in the face of threats to trade; and

(iv) nine achievements to restore access that was previously lost; and

(b) invested over $1 billion to ensure our biosecurity system is sustainable long term, ensuring our world-class system stays that way;

(3) further notes the dire state that our agriculture workforce was in under the previous Government, and acknowledges the work the Government has done to fix these issues, including:

(a) establishing the tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group and starting up the Agriculture Labour Taskforce; and

(b) working with stakeholders to deliver a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme that is beneficial and safe for workers, which has grown from around 8,000 workers in March 2020 to over 27,000 at the end of 2024; and

(4) notes the Opposition’s inaction on climate change reduced farm profitability, and acknowledges that the Government is investing in a sustainable agriculture sector by:

(a) delivering the first ever joint Agriculture Ministers’ Statement on Climate Change;

(b) developing the first Agriculture and Land Sector Plan to chart the path for the industry to actively contribute to net-zero by 2050;

(c) investing $1.1 billion in the current round of the Natural Heritage Trust, including $302.1 million in climate-smart agriculture programs;

(d) investing $63.8 million to support the sector to act on climate and reduce emissions;

(e) committing $519.1 million over the next four years from the Future Drought Fund to ensure programs promote long-term drought and climate resilience; and

(f) ensuring our forestry industry remains sustainable, expanding our plantation estate and continuing support for our native forestry sector, in addition to supporting innovation and advanced manufacturing for wood products.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Grampians National Park bushfires

Dr Webster, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that bushfires have ravaged the Grampians National Park and associated tourist destinations including Halls Gap, Pomonal and Dunkeld in February 2024 and over Christmas 2024, the latter being a critical annual income period for small businesses in the region;

(2) acknowledges that to protect lives and property, access to towns and tourist sites like Halls Gap was closed in some cases for weeks, depriving them of tourist visitors;

(3) further notes that:

(a) businesses have expressed concern that they have been unable to afford, or even access, insurance against bushfire risk notwithstanding that in Halls Gap’s case, the town has never itself been struck by bushfire;

(b) the region was struck again over the 2025 Australia Day public holiday weekend with further fires in the Little Desert National Park at times threatening Dimboola, which led to further park closures and tourists deterred from remaining in the region; and

(c) fires that started over the 2025 Australia Day public holiday weekend have continued to burn in the southern part of the Grampians National Park into February 2025;

(4) commends the bravery, commitment and selflessness of Country Fire Authority services and volunteers, farmers, landholders and community members to protect life and property, fighting and containing the fires; and

(5) calls upon:

(a) all levels of Government to prioritise opening and maintaining access to as much of the Grampians as possible to maximise the social and economic health of the region;

(b) State Governments to:

(i) provide maximum transparency on the bushfire mitigation efforts they undertake, to assist insurers in determining reasonable insurance premiums; and

(ii) fast-track their processes for seeking Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement assistance from the Commonwealth including Category D support for small businesses affected by fire disaster related closures;

(c) the Commonwealth Government to take immediate steps to ensure bushfire insurance is affordable and accessible; and

(d) the Commonwealth and Victorian State Governments to implement a marketing strategy to encourage all Australians to consider travelling to the Grampians as soon as possible to support an internationally renowned attraction and the communities that depend on tourism for their survival.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Education sector

Ms J Ryan, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that the Government is delivering:

(a) cheaper child care and boosting wages for early childhood educators;

(b) record needs-based funding for schools across the country;

(c) free TAFE;

(d) more opportunities for more Australians from the outer-suburbs and the bush to go to university; and

(e) student debt relief; and

(2) acknowledges that investing in the education and skills of young Australians is a key component of building Australia’s future.

Ms J Ryan addressing the Federation Chamber—

Suspension of meeting

At 6.10 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 6.30 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Ms J Ryan concluded.

Debate ensued.

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

Classroom disruption

Mr Birrell, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) condemns the Government for failing to address the critical issue of classroom disruption in Australian schools which is severely impacting the learning outcomes of Australian students as well as forcing teachers to leave the profession in droves; and

(2) notes:

(a) that despite the escalating levels of classroom disruption and even violence in many classrooms, the Government has failed to respond to the Senate inquiry report by the Education and Employment Reference Committee into the issue of increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms;

(b) the declining ranking of Australia in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) disciplinary climate index, making Australian classrooms amongst the world’s most disorderly;

(c) the impacts, demands and experience of disorderly classrooms on teacher safety, work satisfaction and workforce retention;

(d) the impact of disorderly, poorly disciplined classroom environments and school practices on students’ learning, compared with their peers in more disciplined classrooms; and

(e) how leading OECD countries with the highest disciplinary climate index rankings can provide valuable lessons on reducing distraction and disorder in Australian classrooms.

Debate ensued.

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

Taxing billionaires and big corporations

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Watson-Brown ( see item No. 10, page 2189) —

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for private Members’ business having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Ms Fernando, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.31 pm, until 4 pm tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber