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.

Women’s Budget Statement —STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— Reference to Federation Chamber

Ms White (Assistant Minister for Women), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to the women’s budget statement.

Mrs McIntosh addressed the House in reply.

Ms White moved—That further statements on the women’s budget statement be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

Appropriations and Administration—Standing Committee —REPORT

The Speaker presented the following document:

Appropriations and Administration—Standing Committee—Report No. 35: Budget estimates 2026-27—Report, May 2026.

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

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Mr Butler (Minister for Health and Ageing), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 , and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Butler presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to corporations, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and registers in the Treasury portfolio, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Leigh presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

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

CUSTOMS TARIFF PROPOSAL

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs) moved Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2026.

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

CUSTOMS TARIFF PROPOSAL

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs) moved Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2026.

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

Department of Defence—Blamey Barracks Kapooka redevelopment project, Kapooka, NsW—APPROVAL OF WORK

Dr Leigh (Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury), pursuant to notice, moved—That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Department of Defence—Blamey Barracks Kapooka redevelopment project, Kapooka, New South Wales.

Question—put and passed.

Defence Force Discipline Amendment (RCDVS Implementation and Related Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 —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 Keogh (Minister for Defence Personnel), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Secrecy Provisions Amendment (Sunsetting Provision) Bill 2026 —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 Ms Rowland (Attorney-General), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS

Dr Mulino (Minister for Financial Services) moved—That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the whole debate time limit on the motion to take note of the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement 2026-27—Investing in Australia’s growth and prosperity being removed.

Question—put and passed, with the concurrence of an absolute majority.

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated Ms Comer to be a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works in place of Ms Lawrence.

Dr Mulino (Minister for Financial Services), by leave, moved—That Ms Lawrence be discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that, in her place, Ms Comer be appointed a member of the committee.

Question—put and passed.

Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026

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 Hastie 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:

(1) notes that:

(a) illicit tobacco has become a multi-billion dollar black market in Australia, increasingly linked to substantial organised crime activity, violent criminal networks and serious community harm;

(b) the Government’s own Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner has estimated the illicit tobacco market to be worth between $4.1 billion and $6.9 billion in 2024-25;

(c) the Government’s repeated increases in tobacco excise have significantly widened the price gap between legal and illegal tobacco products, driving consumers toward the black market and dramatically increasing the profitability of organised criminal supply;

(d) in stark contrast to the Government’s 2023 forecasts of a $3.3 billion revenue increase, the Parliamentary Budget Office has estimated that the Government’s excise policies will reduce budget revenue by more than $20 billion between 2024-25 and 2028-29;

(e) policy responses to illicit tobacco under the Government have been hopelessly weak and inadequate; and

(f) this bill represents no more than a partial response to the serious escalation of illicit tobacco activity across Australia; and

(2) calls on the Government to finally develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy, and to deliver the range of accompanying practical actions that are now urgently needed, to decisively combat the spread of illicit tobacco and the associated proliferation of organised criminal activity”.

Debate ensued.

Mr Wood addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr Wood 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 Peter Frederick Morris)—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 Peter Frederick Morris OAM 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.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.16 pm the Member for Aston ( Ms Doyle ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and she accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 2.34 pm the Member for Barker ( Mr Pasin ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 3.02 pm the Member for Herbert ( Mr Thompson ) 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.

Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 31 of 2025-26—Performance audit—Effectiveness of the Commonwealth Home Support Program: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Antisemitism and Social Cohesion—Royal Commission—Interim report—Government response, May 2026.

Australian Research Council Act 2001— Statement under section 56(2)—13 May 2026.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—First report: Inquiry into Australia’s aid program in the Indo-Pacific—Government response, May 2026.

Industry, Science and Resources—Standing Committee—Food for thought: The opportunities and challenges for Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry—Government response, March 2026.

Public Works—Parliamentary Standing Committee—National Capital Authority—Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, Canberra, ACT, Renewal Project (7th report of 2023)—Government response, April 2026.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Regional Australia

The House was informed that Ms Sharkie had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The need for the Government to urgently resolve regional inequity and address poorer outcomes for Australians living in the regions”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Ms Sharkie addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Mr Joyce, by leave, again addressed the House.

Discussion concluded.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 14 May 2026, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 117— Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026 .

No. 118— Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026 .

No. 119— Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026 .

No. 120— Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 .

No. 121— Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026 .

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

Dr Reid presented the following document:

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Review of the listing of Hizb ut-Tahrir as a prohibited hate group under the Criminal Code—Report, May 2026.

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

Dr Reid, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

DOCUMENTS

Dr Leigh ( Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury ) presented the following documents:

Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy—Speech to the National Press Club—Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, 16 April 2026.

Department of Defence—

Integrated investment program 2026.

National defence strategy 2026.

Treaty— Text, together with associated documents —Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on Common Security (Jakarta, 6 February 2026).

ORDER OF THE DAY CALLED ON

Ordered—That order of the day No. 5, government business, be called on immediately.

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027

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—

Suspension of sitting

At 4.42 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of sitting

At 7.31 pm, the Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate resumed.

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

ADJOURNMENT

At 8.03 pm, the Speaker adjourned the House until 10 am on Monday, 25 May 2026, in accordance with the resolution agreed to on 12 May 2026.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 14 May 2026 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024— Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Transitional Amendment (Reporting Obligations) Rules 2026 [F2026L00556].

Federal Financial Relations Act 2009—

Federal Financial Relations (GST Revenue Sharing Relativities for 2026-27) Determination 2026 [F2026L00550].

Federal Financial Relations (National Skills and Workforce Development for 2024-25) Determination 2026 [F2026L00558].

Health Insurance Act 1973— Health Insurance (Quality Assurance Activity—Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)—Peer Review Groups (PRGs)) Declaration 2026 [F2026L00541].

Navigation Act 2012— Marine Order 53 (Vessels in polar waters) 2026—AMSA MO 2026/6 [F2026L00553].

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986—

Veterans’ Entitlements (Home Equity Access Scheme—Market Value) Determination 2026 [F2026L00557].

Veterans’ Entitlements (Weekly Payments—Class of Persons) Instrument 2026 [F2026L00555].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Boyce, Ms Le and Mr Young.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.40 am, a division having been called in the House.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.24 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.36 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.38 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.50 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continuing—

Suspension of meeting

At 10.52 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 11.05 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

Regional budget statement—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 Ms McBain (Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories)—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 13 May 2026 ), viz.—

Regional ministerial budget statement 2026-27—Investing in Australia’s regional growth and prosperity—Statement by the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP, 13 May 2026—

Debate resumed.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.24 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 12.36 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

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

David Malouf—STATEMENTS

Statements were made.

Women’s budget statement—STATEMENTS

Statements were made.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr Moncrieff moved—That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

Question—put and passed.

At 1.30 pm, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Federation Chamber until 10.30 am on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber