Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Wednesday 29 October 2025

Continued from Wednesday 8 October 2025.

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate focused on the establishment of a parliamentary joint committee for defence oversight. The Shadow Minister for Defence moved an amendment to ensure the committee's membership remained bipartisan, excluding crossbenchers, to prevent politicisation. He argued that the current strategic environment required increased defence spending and strict adherence to conventions similar to those governing intelligence committees. The speaker emphasised the need for sovereign capability, agility, and adequate funding to avoid a 'paper ADF'.

Outcome

The amendment was moved by Angus Taylor to substitute the second reading address with a note on bipartisan membership and defence spending priorities.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Angus Taylor (Hume) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Taylor supported the bill in principle but moved an amendment to restrict committee membership to government and opposition parties, mirroring the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. Taylor argued that including crossbenchers would politicise national security and undermine trust with allies. Taylor contended that committee membership should be predicated on support for higher defence spending, recognition of the threat environment, and commitment to AUKUS. Taylor warned that failing to increase funding to three per cent of GDP would leave the Australian Defence Force underfunded and unable to meet strategic demands.