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.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL — Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024

Message No. 235, 3 February 2025, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purpose of amendments to be made on motion moved by a Minister of a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to veterans’ affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation, and for related purposes.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024

Message No. 419, 12 February 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 with a request for an amendment and informing the House that the amendments indicated by schedule B annexed had been made by the Senate.

Ordered—That the amendment requested by the Senate be considered immediately.

On the motion of Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), the requested amendment was made.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2025

Message No. 420, 12 February 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2025 with amendments.

Ordered—That the amendments be considered immediately.

On the motion of Mr Jones (Minister for Financial Services), the amendments were agreed to.

POSTPONEMENT OF NOTICE

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

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 12 February 2025, were reported returning the following bills without amendments or requests:

No. 421— Social Security Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes) 2025 .

No. 422— Appropriation (No. 3) 2024-2025 ( without requests ).

No. 423— Appropriation (No. 4) 2024-2025 .

No. 424— Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) (No. 2) 2024-2025 .

No. 425— Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record—Sharing by Default) 2024 .

No. 426— Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) 2024 .

Social Policy and Legal Affairs—Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms Templeman (Chair) presented the following documents:

Social Policy and Legal Affairs—Standing Committee—Inquiry into family violence orders—

Report, February 2025.

Minutes of proceedings.

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

Ms Templeman and Mr Conaghan, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

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

Question—put and passed.

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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Ms Daniel, 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 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 resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Keogh—Minister for Defence Personnel), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024

Message No. 428, 13 February 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 with amendments.

Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024—Statement by Speaker on consideration of Senate message

The Deputy Speaker made the following statement , on behalf of the Speaker:

It is my duty to draw to the attention of the House, the fact that one of the Senate amendments conveyed by this message raises an important point of constitutional principle.

Proposed amendment (4) would have the effect of changing the persons to whom additional amounts under section 80 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 are payable.

Senate amendment (4) is covered by section 53 of the Constitution because it changes the destination of money appropriated by section 423 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 . Thus, the amendment should have been made to the House as a requested amendment.

The matter for consideration is not so much one of the privileges and rights between the two Houses, but observance of the requirements of the Constitution concerning the powers of the Houses.

I am advised that, in the application of standing order 180, a change to the destination of money drawn from an existing appropriation is considered to be a proposal requiring a message from the Governor-General under section 56 of the Constitution. I understand that such a message has been obtained in this case.

If the House wishes to entertain the proposal reflected in the Senate’s proposed amendment, the House may choose to proceed by alternative means.

Mr Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel) moved—That the:

(1) House endorses the statement of the Speaker in relation to the constitutional questions raised by Message No. 428 transmitted by the Senate in relation to the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024; and

(2) message be considered immediately.

Question—put and passed.

On the motion of Mr Keogh, the Senate’s purported amendment (4) was disagreed to, after debate.

Message from the Governor-General

Message No. 237, 19 November 2024, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purpose of amendments to be made on motion moved by a Minister to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Keogh, the Government amendment was made in place of the Senate’s purported amendment (4) which had been disagreed to.

On the motion of Mr Keogh, Senate amendments (1) to (3) were agreed to.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Death of former Member (the Honourable Kevin James Andrews)—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 Kevin James Andrews AM had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion—

Death of former Member (the Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes)—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 Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion—

Death of former Member (the Honourable John Colinton Moore)—CONDOLENCE MOTION—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the order of the day relating to the Deputy Prime Minister’s motion of condolence in connection with the Honourable John Colinton Moore AO 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—Motions ( item Nos 13 to 15 ) agreed to.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.29 pm the Member for Moreton ( Mr Perrett ) 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.

Document

The Speaker presented the following document:

Procedure—Standing Committee—Maintenance of the standing and sessional orders—Speaker’s response to recommendation 3.

DOCUMENT

Mr Burke ( Leader of the House ) presented the following document:

Procedure—Standing Committee—Maintenance of the standing and sessional orders—Government response.

Leave of absence to all Members

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) moved—That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting.

Question—put and passed.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Leadership

The House was informed that Mr Dutton (Leader of the Opposition), had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The Government’s weak leadership and the need to get Australia back on track”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Dutton addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 13 February 2025, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 429— Customs Amendment (Expedited Seizure and Disposal of Engineered Stone) 2024 .

No. 430— Electricity Infrastructure Legislation Amendment 2025 .

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 431, 13 February 2025, from the Senate was reported returning the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 and informing the House that the Senate had agreed to the amendment made by the House in place of Senate amendment (4).

Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT

Ms Mascarenhas presented the following document:

Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Wholesale investor and wholesale client tests—Report, February 2025.

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

Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) 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 by Ms Bell who 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 urges the Government to establish an additional National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Antisemitism, which:

(1) makes it clear to all higher education students, staff and providers that everyone on a higher education campus has a right to be safe;

(2) imposes on universities a range of obligations concerning student and staff safety which is very important given the alarming increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses since 7 October 2023; and

(3) ensures that higher education providers must comply with recommendations of the National Student Ombudsman concerning the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Antisemitism”.

ADJOURNMENT

It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Petition

Mr Broadbent presented the following petition approved by the Standing Committee on Petitions :

Save the truth, stop the MAD Bill—908 petitioners.

Debate continued.

The House continuing to sit until 5 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 12 noon on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 13 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 2025-2 Amendments to Australian Auditing Standards [F2025L00108].

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011— Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011—Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons—Thematic Sanctions) Amendment (No. 1) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00111].

Corporations Act 2001— Australian Standard on Sustainability Assurance ASSA 5010 Timeline for Audits and Reviews of Information in Sustainability Reports under the Corporations Act 2001 [F2025L00109].

Defence Act 1903— Defence (Individual benefits) Determination (No. 1) 2025 [F2025L00104].

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve) Amendment Proclamation 2024 [F2024L01644]—Supplementary explanatory statement.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00100].

Export Control Act 2020— Export Control Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Rules 2025 [F2025L00120].

Industry Research and Development Act 1986— Industry Research and Development (Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Digital Systems Enhancement Program) Instrument 2025 [F2025L00121].

Privacy Act 1988—

Privacy (International Money Transfers) Generalising Determination 2025 [F2025L00112].

Privacy (International Money Transfers) Public Interest Determination 2025 (No. 1) [F2025L00113].

Privacy (International Money Transfers) Public Interest Determination 2025 (No. 2) [F2025L00114].

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988—

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Licence Eligibility—Healthscope Operations Ptd Ltd) Amendment Instrument 2025 [F2025L00115].

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Licence Eligibility—Toll Transport Ptd Ltd) Amendment Instrument 2025 [F2025L00116].

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Licence Eligibility—Ventia Australia Pty Ltd) Amendment Instrument 2025 [F2025L00117].

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989— Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Regulations 2024 [F2024L00839]—Replacement explanatory statement.

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Rae and Mr Thompson.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.37 am, a division having been called in the House.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

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—

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

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

Question—put and passed.

Women’s health—STATEMENTS

Statements were made.

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

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Burke (Leader of the House)—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 10 February 2025 ), viz.—

Closing the Gap—Statement by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP, 10 February 2025—

Debate resumed.

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

ADJOURNMENT

Ms Mascarenhas moved—That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Document

Mr Tehan, by leave, presented the following document:

Maintenance of the Hamilton Highway—( Receipt of document as a petition subject to approval by the Standing Committee on Petitions ).

Debate continued.

Question—put and passed.

At 11.32 am, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Federation Chamber until 4 pm on Tuesday, 25 March 2025.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber