Michelle Rowland

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister confirmed that the government was creating a unified approach across all agencies for automated decisions to carry out the robodebt royal commission's recommendations. She stated that this system would feature strong protections for openness, human supervision, and review rights, based on wide consultations. She noted that a special team in her department was working quickly to deliver this change and that she would meet with the member to discuss the matter further.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister explained that the recommendations were being considered through the Standing Council of Attorneys-General as part of a coordinated national response. She highlighted that $21.4 million had been provided for specialized trauma-informed legal services pilots. She stated that the government was developing the second action plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. She affirmed the government's commitment to addressing sexual violence through sustained action across prevention, intervention, and justice responses.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister stated that Western Australia had passed legislation to implement national reforms, ensuring that a ban in one jurisdiction applies across all jurisdictions. She noted that the Standing Council of Attorneys-General had agreed to nationally consistent baseline offences and criteria for assessing applications. The Minister highlighted a $37 million commitment to develop the National Continuous Checking Capability, which would monitor criminal history changes in near-real time. She affirmed that keeping children safe was a top priority.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister stated that implementing the report's recommendations would take time, but the recent budget included initial steps. She noted $2 billion in new R&D spending, bringing total government spend to over $39.1 billion. She mentioned the establishment of the National Resilience and Science Council, $1.5 billion for science capability, and $589 million for clinical trials. She also highlighted treaty negotiations with Horizon Europe, worth $155 billion, to be accessed in 2027.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated she had asked the Privacy Commissioner to prioritise consideration of smart glass privacy implications. She highlighted risks of covert recording and harassment, citing research that 60 per cent of point-of-view content from such devices involved potential harassment. She noted that while state laws exist, the Commissioner's expertise was critical for emerging risks. She mentioned existing reforms including a statutory tort for privacy invasions and outlawing doxxing, and indicated work was ongoing for further legislative reforms.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the Commonwealth was seeking over $2 billion in damages for costs incurred in investigating and managing PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. She noted that this represented the biggest lawsuit ever filed by the federal government, alleging that 3M withheld information and misrepresented the environmental impacts of the foam. The Minister emphasized that the government was committed to holding companies accountable and protecting Australians, including defense personnel and local communities, from the consequences of contamination.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General confirmed that the government accepted all 14 recommendations, including the five confidential ones, and would work with state and territory governments for national implementation. She explained that a non-publication direction was issued to protect national security and operational information. She noted that robust oversight exists through the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the Royal Commission, led by Justice Virginia Bell, had received over 10,000 submissions and commenced hearings on 4 May. The interim report, delivered on 30 April, found no gaps in legal frameworks that impeded law enforcement but made 14 recommendations, including enhancing counterterrorism capabilities. The government would adopt all Commonwealth-related recommendations. A final report was due by 14 December. The government continued to support the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and implement counter-terrorism strategies.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government was developing a consistent whole-of-government framework to implement Royal Commission recommendations. She explained that the framework would improve accuracy, embed safeguards, and ensure lawful use with human oversight. She noted that extensive consultation had occurred and the framework was being developed carefully. She did not provide a specific timeline but offered to engage further when more information was available.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister announced landmark law preventing convicted abusers from hiding assets in superannuation. She noted that reforms to working-with-children checks were legislated in seven out of eight jurisdictions. The government had delivered $35 million in increased funding for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and a $12.2 million grant program for organizations supporting victims. She also highlighted the 'One Talk At A Time' awareness campaign.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government had passed the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025, enabling the listing of foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism. She confirmed that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was listed on 28 November 2025, enlivening criminal offences for funding or membership. She affirmed that the government had full confidence in national security agencies and would apply the full force of the law against breaches.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister stated that the Inspector of the NACC was investigating complaints about the commissioner's involvement in Defence referrals. She noted that the commission had received over 6,000 referrals, was conducting 30 preliminary inquiries and 35 corruption investigations, and had secured 11 convictions since July 2023. The minister highlighted other integrity measures, including the Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework and anti-money laundering reforms. She affirmed support for the NACC while acknowledging more work was needed.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister announced public consultation on draft legislation to prevent convicted child sex abusers from shielding assets in superannuation. She highlighted family law reforms recognizing superannuation in property pools and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, backed by $4.7 billion in funding. She also mentioned reforms to the low-income superannuation tax offset and improved access to housing and childcare.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government announced legislative reforms four days after the attack, targeting hate speech and firearms. She noted that the legislation was developed with consultation from experts and the Jewish community. The new laws targeted those spreading hatred and radicalising youth, noting that half of the 35 people currently before the courts for terrorism offences were minors. The laws created a regime for listing organisations promoting hate speech or violence and amended the Migration Act to allow visa refusal or cancellation for hate-motivated conduct. She stated that these measures sent a clear message that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the government had established the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell. She noted that Commissioner Bell had the experience to examine the impact of antisemitism on Jewish Australians and promote social cohesion without prejudicing criminal proceedings. The commission had received wide support, including from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Commissioner Bell was to deliver an interim report before 30 April and a final report before 14 December.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister stated that the government had decided to provide additional funding for the CSIRO through the MYEFO process, with details to be communicated at the appropriate time. She confirmed that the CSIRO continued to receive significant base funding of close to $1 billion per annum. She emphasized that staffing decisions were a matter for the CSIRO's board and management, respecting its operational independence, while affirming the government's commitment to a strong and sustainable CSIRO.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister confirmed the government had ruled out a text and data mining exception that would allow AI developers to use creative works without permission or payment. She cited support from industry leaders like ARIA and the Australian Society of Authors. She announced the reconvening of the copyright and AI reference group to focus on legal avenues for using copyright material, clarifying copyright law for AI-generated content, and improving enforcement mechanisms.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the premise was incorrect, noting the government initiated the robodebt royal commission. She explained that the FOI amendments clarify existing cabinet exemptions to ensure they are applied consistently with their original intent. She emphasized that merely labeling something 'cabinet-in-confidence' does not automatically exempt it. She affirmed that the government accepted all 56 royal commission recommendations and that cabinet confidentiality is necessary for frank deliberation and collective responsibility.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General noted that Mr Boyle was sentenced to a 12-month good-behaviour bond without a recorded conviction, and that the prosecution decision was independent. She announced that a public consultation on exposure draft legislation for the second stage of reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act would commence the following week. The reforms aim to strengthen protections, simplify procedures, and establish a new whistleblower ombudsman within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. She also mentioned a planned statutory review of private-sector whistleblower laws.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General acknowledged the concern and the member's bill, which would be given due consideration. She noted the government had brought forward the statutory review of the Online Safety Act and announced steps to address harmful apps. She confirmed that criminal sanctions were being discussed with state and territory attorneys-general at the Standing Council of Attorneys-General. She emphasized the bipartisan nature of the effort to establish appropriate guardrails against these technologies.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General announced a historic agreement to settle the Knox v The Commonwealth appeal, subject to Federal Court approval. Under the deal, the Commonwealth would provide $475 million in compensation, marking the largest class action settlement in Australian history. She criticized the previous government's robodebt scheme as illegal and cruel, citing the royal commission's findings. She stated the settlement aimed to provide a fair outcome for victims.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that the answer was the same as the Prime Minister's: all individuals must obey the law, including the FITS register.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister stated that new legislation to reform the Freedom of Information Act 1982 had been introduced. The reforms seek to ban anonymous requests, stop vexatious and frivolous requests, clarify exemptions for cabinet material, and establish procedures for handling former ministers' records. She cited an example where the eSafety Commissioner received nearly 600 FOI requests from an automated generator, diverting staff for three months. The government would also refer the FOI legislation to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Additionally, the government was enhancing the public sector whistleblowing framework by establishing a new whistleblower ombudsman.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Attorney-General stated that attorneys-general had agreed on 15 August to toughen the system, ensuring that a ban in one jurisdiction applies nationally. She noted commitments to strengthen risk assessments, exclusion criteria, and a national continuous checking capability for real-time monitoring of criminal history changes. She mentioned a pilot by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and ongoing work to integrate state systems with a national hub. She emphasized that these reforms aimed to protect children and close loopholes.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The minister stated that the government was working with states and territories to improve working-with-children checks. She highlighted inconsistencies in current schemes and the lack of national oversight. She noted that recommendations from the 2015 Royal Commission had not been implemented. She committed to prioritizing information sharing and continuous monitoring in upcoming meetings with state and territory counterparts.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister confirmed that a full consultation on reforming the USO was announced in 2023 and had been endorsed by stakeholders. She noted that Telstra's contract as the universal service provider is due to expire in future years, necessitating a determination of the new scope. She assured the member that the government was working diligently on reforms to benefit regional Australia.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister acknowledged concerns about diminished coverage in regional areas and stated she was monitoring the situation closely. She noted that she had convened industry regulators and carriers on 17 December to review lessons learned. She mentioned that Telstra had established a dedicated 3G helpline and that she had requested weekly reports from carriers. She emphasized the role of the ACMA and ACCC in addressing technical requirements and consumer representations regarding coverage maps.

Answer from Michelle Rowland

The Minister criticized the Greens for accepting donations from a high-rolling gambler, specifically Duncan Turpie, who had donated approximately $275,000 recently. She argued that this undermined their stance on banning gambling ads. She noted that the government's consultation process was taking time due to complexity and criticized the opposition for increasing gambling advertising during their tenure.