Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record--Sharing by Default) Bill 2024

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Tuesday 4 February 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Minister Murray Watt introduced four bills to advance the government's industrial, health, and maritime safety agendas. The Future Made in Australia bill established tax incentives for renewable hydrogen and critical minerals processing, while expanding Indigenous Business Australia's role. The health bills repealed outdated pathology fees and mandated the sharing of diagnostic data to My Health Record by default. The Navigation bill updated Australian law to align with international safety standards for ships carrying industrial personnel. The debate was adjourned with the bills listed as separate orders of the day.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bills were ordered to be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.

   Read the full summary

2. Tuesday 4 February 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
   See who spoke

3. Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the principles of the bill, which aims to modernise the My Health Record system by changing it to a sharing-by-default model. Katy Gallagher introduced an addendum to the explanatory memorandum addressing concerns from scrutiny committees. Malcolm Roberts and Lidia Thorpe moved amendments expressing opposition to the default sharing model and highlighting issues regarding prison healthcare and privacy. Both amendments were defeated, and the bill was not passed on the divisions.

   Outcome: The bill was not passed, with divisions resulting in votes of 12-23 and 14-23 against it.

   Read the full summary