Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; Second Reading

Continued the debate

Smith stated the Coalition would not oppose the bill but criticised it as insufficient to address Australia's high regulatory burden, citing compliance costs rising from $65 billion in 2013 to $160 billion. Smith highlighted concerns that the federal regulatory workforce was projected to grow to over 110,000 staff by 2027. Smith strongly opposed Part 4 of Schedule 2, which removed the requirement for the Australian Human Rights Commission to notify individuals of adverse allegations, arguing this undermined procedural fairness for administrative convenience. Smith moved amendments to refer this section to committee and to remove it entirely, alongside an amendment to allow self-managed super funds to use limited recourse borrowing arrangements for new residential properties.

Government response

Chisholm argued the bill delivered better regulation by cutting the regulatory burden by $10 billion annually and simplifying processes for businesses and citizens. Chisholm defended the changes to the Australian Human Rights Commission as streamlining the complaints process without reducing fairness. Chisholm rejected the Coalition's amendments regarding superannuation borrowing arrangements and procedural fairness, stating no justification existed to reverse previous decisions. Chisholm also rejected the Greens' amendment on foreign military declarations, citing disproportionate costs and potential inaccuracies. Chisholm noted the bill included 22 measures affecting 19 agencies and promised future regulatory reform bills.

Opposition response

Cash strongly opposed the removal of notification requirements for adverse allegations in discrimination complaints, citing the 2017 reforms enacted after the Queensland University of Technology case. Cash argued that individuals named in complaints suffer reputational harm and have a right to know and respond to allegations, regardless of their formal respondent status. Cash contended that saving 450 staff hours annually was an insufficient justification for removing procedural fairness safeguards. Cash moved an amendment to excise Part 4 of Schedule 2 from the bill to preserve these protections.