Parliamentary Frameworks Legislation Amendment (Reviews) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Wednesday 4 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the Parliamentary Frameworks Legislation Amendment (Reviews) Bill 2026, which sought to consolidate statutory reviews of key parliamentary workplace legislation. The bill aimed to combine reviews of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023, the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, and the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 into a single holistic assessment. It also proposed aligning the frequency of future reviews to occur every five years rather than each parliamentary term. The measure was introduced to reduce review fatigue and ensure legislative frameworks remained fit for purpose following significant reforms. The debate concluded with the bill being commended to the House.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bill was commended to the House.

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2. Tuesday 10 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Tuesday 10 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned a bill to align statutory reviews of three key parliamentary workplace acts into a single holistic assessment. Government members argued that combining reviews of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act, the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act, and the Parliamentary Business Resources Act would improve efficiency, ensure frameworks remain fit for purpose, and support cultural reform following the Set the standard report. The opposition supported the principle of reviewing these systems but criticised the government for failing to implement previous resourcing recommendations and for actions that undermined opposition capacity. The bill was passed without amendment.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time and reported to the House without amendment.

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4. Wednesday 11 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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5. Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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6. Wednesday 11 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated the Parliamentary Frameworks Legislation Amendment (Reviews) Bill 2026, which sought to consolidate statutory reviews of key parliamentary workplace legislation. The bill aimed to combine reviews of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023, the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, and the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 into a single holistic assessment. It also proposed aligning the frequency of future reviews to occur every five years rather than each parliamentary term. The debate was limited to a single speech by the Assistant Minister, who moved the second reading. The matter was adjourned to the next sitting period.

   Outcome: Further consideration of the second reading was postponed until the first sitting day of the next parliamentary session.

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7. Thursday 12 March 2026 · Senate

   Limitation of Debate
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