Bill Debate · Limitation of Debate
Senate · Wednesday 1 April 2026
Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia
The Senate debated the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, with Senator Katy Gallagher tabling an addendum to the explanatory memorandum. Senator Jonathon Duniam moved two amendments on behalf of the opposition, one requiring an independent review of the framework after two years and another mandating written reasons for refusing financial services. Senator David Pocock indicated support for the review amendment. The debate concluded with a division on the amendments, which were not passed.
The amendments were put to a division and were not passed, with 25 votes against and 34 votes in favour.
Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.
Opened the debate
Gallagher tabled an addendum and correction to the explanatory memorandum for the bill. This action served to update the parliamentary record regarding the legislative details. No further substantive arguments were presented by the lead member in this brief intervention.
Opposition response
Duniam moved two amendments to the bill. The first amendment required the Minister to commission an independent review of the digital assets framework's operation within two years of commencement, including consultation with industry stakeholders and tabling the report in Parliament. The second amendment sought to insert provisions requiring Australian authorised deposit-taking institutions to provide written reasons if they refused financial services to a licensee.
Pocock noted support for the amendment regarding the independent review of the digital assets framework. This contribution aligned with the opposition's proposal for a statutory review mechanism. No further details were provided regarding the second amendment.