Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading

Senate · Monday 23 March 2026

Continued from Wednesday 4 March 2026.

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

At a glance

The debate concerned the Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which proposed changes to the governance of four statutory bodies. The Shadow Attorney-General argued that the bill increased executive control over statutory officeholders without adequate parliamentary scrutiny or evidence of systemic failure. Key concerns included new powers for ministers to set performance standards, suspend, or terminate officeholders, and issue directions to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. The speaker opposed the bill due to the lack of committee examination and reduced transparency regarding ministerial actions.

Outcome

The debate was interrupted before a vote was taken.

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

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Michaelia Cash (WA) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Cash argued that the bill expanded ministerial influence over statutory officeholders by introducing new grounds for suspension and termination. Cash noted that the legislation allowed ministers to set performance standards that were not subject to disallowance or automatic tabling, thereby limiting parliamentary visibility. Cash highlighted that the Attorney-General would gain express power to issue general directions to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Cash contended that the government had refused a Senate committee referral, preventing expert scrutiny of the proposed changes. Consequently, she stated that the coalition would oppose the bill due to the lack of evidence-based justification and insufficient oversight mechanisms.