Opened the debate
Cox noted that the time allotted for the consideration of the bills had expired pursuant to the order agreed to earlier in the day. This procedural statement marked the transition to the voting stage for the various amendments.
Bill Debate · Limitation of Debate
Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025, Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025; Limitation of Debate
Senate · Wednesday 5 November 2025
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
At a glance
The Senate debated amendments to the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025 and its consequential amendments bill. Various groups, including the Australian Greens, Pauline Hanson's One Nation, and Independent Senator David Pocock, moved amendments addressing issues such as the appointment processes for the Director-General and Advisory Council, information-gathering powers, and data sharing. The government tabled an addendum to the explanatory memorandum addressing concerns from scrutiny committees. The bills were ultimately passed with amendments.
Outcome
The bills were agreed to with amendments, reported with amendments, and the report was adopted.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
How the debate unfolded
Government response
McAllister tabled an addendum to the explanatory memorandum for the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025. McAllister stated that the document responded to matters raised by the Scrutiny of Bills Committee and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Opposition response
Ruston requested that the Pauline Hanson's One Nation amendments on sheets 3482 and 3488 be put separately for voting purposes.
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Brockman managed the procedural flow of the debate, putting questions on amendments from the Australian Greens, Pauline Hanson's One Nation, and Senator Pocock. Brockman also recorded the results of the divisions and noted the final passage of the bills.
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Askew recorded the voting preferences of Senator Lambie for various amendment sheets, noting support, opposition, or abstention as requested. Askew facilitated the separate voting on specific amendment groups.
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Pocock moved amendments requiring independent selection panels for the appointment of the Director-General and Advisory Council members. These amendments specified criteria such as expertise, integrity, and diversity, and required comparative assessments of shortlisted candidates.