Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Wednesday 3 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations introduced the bill to streamline Fair Work Commission operations and support cooperative workplaces. Key measures included administrative reforms to reduce workload, provisions to encourage good faith bargaining in Commonwealth procurement, and specific protections for road transport contractors. The legislation also addressed financial reporting for the CFMEU administrator and updated allowances for tripartite advisory bodies. The debate was adjourned following the Minister's speech.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

   Read the full summary

2. Wednesday 24 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on amendments moved by Allegra Spender to remove Part 9 of the bill, which granted the minister broad powers to link Commonwealth funding and procurement to industrial relations standards. Spender argued these powers lacked safeguards and risked reducing competition and enabling corruption, citing negative productivity impacts from similar schemes in Queensland and Victoria. Minister Amanda Rishworth opposed the amendments, stating the reforms would support secure jobs through enterprise bargaining without imposing mandatory obligations on the government. The amendments were defeated in division 3, while the bill itself passed division 4.

   Outcome: The amendments were defeated in division 3, and the bill passed in division 4.

   Read the full summary

3. Wednesday 24 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centered on the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026, which proposed reforms to streamline the Fair Work Commission and allow Commonwealth procurement to prefer employers with enterprise agreements. Labor members supported the bill to manage rising caseloads and promote secure jobs, while Coalition and Independent members opposed the procurement provisions due to concerns about union entrenchment, market distortion, and corruption risks. Although amendments to remove the procurement preferences were rejected, the bill was ultimately passed after a second division.

   Outcome: The bill was passed in the second division with 88 votes in favour and 45 against.

   Read the full summary

4. Thursday 25 June 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Minister Tim Ayres introduced three bills to the Senate, seeking leave to incorporate second reading speeches into Hansard, which was granted. The Customs Tariff Bill aimed to reduce duty rates for nearly 500 classifications to free, extend sanctions on Russian and Belarusian goods, and maintain duty-free status for Ukrainian imports. The Fuel Excise Bill proposed a one-month extension of fuel price relief to assist with cost of living pressures. The Workplace Relations Bill sought to streamline Fair Work Commission operations, support good faith bargaining, and adjust protections for road transport contractors. 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

5. Thursday 25 June 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
   See who spoke

6. Monday 29 June 2026 · Senate

   Limitation of Debate
   See who spoke

7. Monday 29 June 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on whether to pass the bill, which combines reforms to assist the Fair Work Commission with provisions allowing the Commonwealth to preference businesses with union-backed enterprise agreements in procurement. Labor and the Greens supported the bill, arguing it modernises dispute resolution and ensures public money supports fair labour standards. The Coalition opposed the bill, arguing that bundling uncontroversial commission reforms with controversial procurement changes was a tactic to bypass scrutiny and introduce corruption risks. The Greens moved amendments to prevent workers from losing conditions during intractable bargaining, which were agreed to.

   Outcome: The Greens' amendments to prevent workers from losing conditions during intractable bargaining were agreed to.

   Read the full summary

8. Tuesday 30 June 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration of Senate Message

   The House of Representatives considered amendments proposed by the Senate to the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026. The amendments aimed to ensure that mandatory terms in workplace determinations for intractable bargaining situations were not less favourable than those in previous enterprise agreements. The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations supported the changes as a sensible reform to ensure the legislation operated as intended. The House agreed to the amendments, with divisions passing comfortably.

   Outcome: The House agreed to the Senate amendments, with three divisions passing with majorities of 93-44, 91-47, and 97-42.

   Read the full summary