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.

STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Women’s Health

Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to women’s health.

Ms Ley addressed the House in reply.

Ms Kearney, by leave, moved—That further statements on women’s health be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025

Dr Chalmers (Treasurer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to appropriate money for guarantees relating to banking in the Pacific region, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Chalmers presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned (Mr Hogan), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025

Ms Rowland (Minister for Communications), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Telecommunications Act 1997 , and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Rowland presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Ms Rowland 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.

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Chesters (Chair) presented the following document:

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 225: Australia-UAE CEPA; Australia-UAE Investment Agreement—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, February 2025.

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

Ms Chesters, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

Early Childhood Education and Care (Three Day Guarantee) 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.

Ms Daniel moved, as an amendment—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 that universal high-quality, accessible, low fee Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) would improve childhood outcomes and equity, enable more women to work, boost productivity and support families with one of their biggest household costs”.

Debate ensued.

Mr Violi addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr Violi 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 MEMBER ( the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes )

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister) referred to the death of the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC, and moved—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 28 November 2024, of the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC, a former Minister and Member of this House for the Division of Parkes from 1963 to 1969, and the Division of Berowra from 1969 to 1972, 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 Mr Leeser having addressed the House in support thereof, 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 a later hour this day.

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

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice were asked.

Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 23 of 2024-25—Performance audit—Strategic water purchasing—Bridging the Gap 2023: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Murray-Darling Basin Authority—Basin Plan—Report for 2023-24.

*Screenrights—Report for 2023-24.

*Workplace Gender Equality Agency—Report for 2023-24.

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Nature and Biodiversity

The House was informed that Ms Tink had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The urgent need for this Parliament to set aside political difference and do more to protect Australia’s nature and biodiversity”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Ms Tink addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024

Message No. 418, 12 February 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024 with amendments.

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.

On the motion of Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury), the amendments were agreed to.

Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) Bill 2024 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Mr Thistlethwaite (Assistant Minister for Immigration), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Mr Burns (Chair) presented the following document:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities—Report, incorporating dissenting reports, February 2025.

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

Mr Burns, Mr Pike and Ms Tink, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Mr Burns 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.

Mr Burns moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

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 9 am tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 12 February 2025 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 and Corporations Act 2001— Auditing Standard ASA 2025-1 Amendments to Australian Auditing Standards—ASA 2025-1 [F2025L00105].

Civil Aviation Act 1988— Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—

Flight Operations Regulations—SMS, HFP&NTS and T&C Systems—Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX73/24 [F2024L01554]—Explanatory statement.

Part 119 of CASR—Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX68/24 [F2024L01549]—Explanatory statement.

Part 121—Single Pilot Aeroplane (MOPSC 10-13) Operations—Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX74/24 [F2024L01555]—Explanatory statement.

Part 133 and Part 91 of CASR—Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX70/24 [F2024L01551]—Explanatory statement.

Part 135, Subpart 121.Z and Part 91 of CASR—Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX71/24 [F2024L01552]—Explanatory statement.

Part 138 and Part 91 of CASR—Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024—CASA EX72/24 [F2024L01553]—Explanatory statement.

Corporations Act 2001— Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards—Contracts Referencing Nature-dependent Electricity—AASB 2025-1 [F2025L00102].

Defence Act 1903— Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination (No. 1) 2025 [F2025L00103].

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Christmas Island Marine Park Management Plan) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00070].

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park Management Plan) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00071].

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—Class Rulings—

CR 2025/3 (Erratum).

CR 2025/4 (Erratum).

CR 2025/6, CR 2025/7.

ATTENDANCE

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

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.29 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 9.44 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 9.54 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

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.

Suspension of meeting

At 10.23 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.29 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.36 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.53 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

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

DEATH OF FORMER MEMBER (the Honourable Kevin James Andrews)—CONDOLENCE MOTION MOVED BY THE Prime Minister

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 14 December 2024, of the Honourable Kevin James Andrews AM, a former Minister and Member of this House for the Division of Menzies from 1991 to 2022, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

Debate resumed.

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

Ms Roberts, by leave, moved—That further proceedings be conducted in the House.

Question—put and passed.

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—

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.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.23 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4.02 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

DEATH OF FORMER MEMBER (the Honourable John Colinton Moore)—CONDOLENCE MOTION MOVED BY THE Deputy Prime Minister

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Marles (Deputy Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 22 January 2025, of the Honourable John Colinton Moore AO, a former Minister and Member of this House for the Division of Ryan from 1975 to 2001, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

Debate resumed.

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

Mr Lim, by leave, moved—That further proceedings be conducted in the House.

Question—put and passed.

DEATH OF FORMER MEMBER (the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes)—CONDOLENCE MOTION MOVED BY THE Prime Minister

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 28 November 2024, of the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC, a former Minister and Member of this House for the Division of Parkes from 1963 to 1969, and the Division of Berowra from 1969 to 1972, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

Debate resumed.

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

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

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr Lim, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 4.19 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber