Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025, Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025, Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025, Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; Second Reading

Senate · Thursday 31 July 2025

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

At a glance

Tim Ayres moved the second reading of four government bills in the Senate. He argued that the ASIO bill extends compulsory questioning powers to allow for necessary reforms, while the Defence Housing bill expands housing support to include AUKUS personnel and partner organisations. Ayres stated the pathology bill repeals outdated fees to reduce administrative burden, and the Pacific Banking Guarantee bill secures financial services in the region through Commonwealth guarantees. The debate 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.

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

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Tim Ayres (NSW) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Ayres argued that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 extends the sunset date for compulsory questioning powers until 7 March 2027 to allow the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to complete its review. Ayres stated the Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025 expands housing functions to support AUKUS personnel, foreign military partners, and philanthropic organisations, addressing recommendations from a 2019 ANAO report. Ayres explained that the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025 removes fees set in 1991 that exceeded administrative costs, aligning with government charging policy. Ayres described the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025 as a measure to use the Commonwealth balance sheet to guarantee Australian banks' operations in the Pacific, preventing withdrawal from the global financial system.