Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Wednesday 25 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Assistant Treasurer moved the second reading of the bill, which aimed to modernise tax administration and support philanthropy. Key measures included removing the minimum donation threshold for tax deductions and requiring trustees of closely held trusts to report beneficiary tax file numbers. The legislation also excluded gambling and tobacco research from R&D tax incentives, with exceptions for harm minimisation. The debate was adjourned without a final vote recorded in the transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned a bill introducing technical tax reforms, including removing the $2 threshold for tax-deductible donations, streamlining trust reporting, and excluding tobacco and gambling industries from research and development tax incentives. The Coalition supported the bill but sought Senate committee referral to scrutinise the definitions of gambling and the precedent of excluding sectors. Labor members defended the measures as productivity-enhancing and aligned with goals to double philanthropy by 2030. Centre Alliance supported the bill but moved an amendment to remove the harm-minimisation exemption for gambling and tobacco R&D, which was not carried. The debate concluded with the bill passing the House.

   Outcome: The bill was passed by the House of Representatives.

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4. Thursday 28 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the bill's technical tax measures, including reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax, alongside administrative updates to philanthropy deductions, trust reporting, and R&D incentives. Labor members argued the legislation promotes fairness, supports housing supply, and provides cost-of-living relief through tax cuts and Medicare levy adjustments. The National Party member opposed the bill, citing concerns over trust in government policy, impacts on farmers and veterans, and the removal of tax concessions for investors. The bill was supported by the government and opposed by the opposition.

   Outcome: The bill was passed by the House of Representatives.

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5. Tuesday 2 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The Assistant Treasurer moved government amendments to the bill during consideration in detail. These amendments increased low-income thresholds for the Medicare levy and surcharge, effective from the 2025-26 income year. They also revised rules regarding pension supplements for individuals temporarily absent from Australia, extending the period for which supplements are paid from six to twelve weeks. The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was passed with an amended title.

   Outcome: The government amendments were agreed to, and the bill was passed with an amended title.

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6. Tuesday 2 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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7. Monday 22 June 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Minister Tim Ayres introduced five bills to the Senate, seeking leave to incorporate his second reading speeches into the official record. The legislation addressed long service leave disputes in the coal mining sector, reforms to secrecy laws, consumer protections in telecommunications, and various tax administration updates. The Minister outlined the principles behind each bill, including debt resolution pathways for employers, the repeal of unnecessary secrecy offences, increased penalties for telecom misconduct, and adjustments to tax deductions and pension supplements. The debate was adjourned without a vote, and the bills were 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.

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8. Monday 22 June 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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9. Monday 29 June 2026 · Senate

   Limitation of Debate
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10. Monday 29 June 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated the Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026, which included measures to remove the $2 minimum threshold for tax-deductible donations, streamline trust reporting, exclude tobacco and gambling from R&D tax incentives, and index Medicare levy thresholds. The Coalition supported the technical amendments but criticised the government's broader tax agenda and proposed an amendment to remove a capital gains tax liability for widows. The Greens moved an amendment to completely exclude gambling and tobacco industries from R&D incentives, including harm minimisation research, which was opposed by the Coalition. The Government defended the bill as part of a broader productivity and tax reform agenda.

    Outcome: The debate concluded with the bill proceeding to further consideration; the Greens' amendment to fully exclude gambling and tobacco from R&D incentives was noted but not passed, and the Coalition's amendment regarding the widow tax was flagged for future movement.

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