Law & Justice

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript.

• Gender and Sexual Orientation

  Senate · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Michaelia Cash Liberal

  The senator asked why the Prime Minister continued to oppose legislation to restore common sense to the Sex Discrimination Act and safeguard the rights of biological women and girls in female-only spaces. In supplementar...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Defence Procurement: Submarines

  Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Jacqui Lambie JLN

  The senator asked what additional annual funding the AFP would need for AUKUS security from 2027-28 to 2035-36 and how much would be met by the defence budget.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

  Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Larissa Waters Greens

  The member asked when the government would act on recommendations to improve justice system responses to sexual assault, including trauma-informed training and access to independent lawyers. She also asked if a new revie...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Veterans: Health Care

  Senate · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Dave Sharma Liberal

  The member asked which RSL and veterans' representatives the government had engaged with regarding the proposed cap and which supported the policy. He later asked what specific concerns veterans had raised and why the Pr...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Crime: Illicit Tobacco

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Angus Taylor Liberal

  The member asked whether the Prime Minister would agree with the New South Wales Premier that the current policy was failing and join the coalition to reduce tobacco taxes and combat organized crime.

  Answered by Mark Butler

• Tobacco Control

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 8 September 2026 · Anne Webster Nationals

  The member asked why the Assistant Treasurer was refusing to join the coalition to slash tobacco taxes and crush organized crime, citing recent firebombings in his electorate.

  Answered by Daniel Mulino

• Tobacco Control

  House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · Angus Taylor Liberal

  The member asked when the Prime Minister would admit government failings on illicit tobacco and join the Coalition to combat organised crime gangs.

  Answered by Tony Burke

• Tobacco Control

  Senate · Monday 7 September 2026 · Jane Hume Liberal

  The senator asked if the Prime Minister admitted failure in allowing the illicit tobacco market to become an organized crime problem. She cited over 200 tobacco-related arsons in Victoria in three years and estimated cri...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Tobacco Control

  House of Representatives · Monday 7 September 2026 · Mary Aldred Liberal

  The member asked when the Prime Minister would join the Coalition to crush organised crime gangs profiting from illicit tobacco.

  Answered by Mark Butler

• Visa Refusal or Cancellation

  Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Tyron Whitten One Nation

  The senator asked how many cases involving child sex offenders the Home Affairs Minister had intervened in to prevent visa retention. He followed up by asking about specific actions taken regarding a Federal Court decisi...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi)

  House of Representatives · Thursday 20 August 2026 · Sophie Scamps Ind

  The member asked if the government would expel the Israeli ambassador and what steps would be taken to ensure justice for Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Migration

  Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Sean Bell One Nation

  The member asked why the government continued to accept migration from countries deemed too dangerous for Australians to visit. He cited specific countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria, and asked why the government ...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Victoria's Big Build

  Senate · Monday 17 August 2026 · Bridget McKenzie Nationals

  The member asked if the Minister for Finance would pledge that government ministers and agencies would work with and give evidence to the Victorian royal commission into CFMEU corruption. She questioned what action had b...

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Victoria: Building and Construction Industry

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Mary Aldred Liberal

  The member asked when the Prime Minister sought assurances from the Victorian Premier that no Commonwealth funding would reach organized crime figures, and what form those assurances took.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Building and Construction Industry

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Angus Taylor Liberal

  The member asked for confirmation that no Commonwealth funds had directly or indirectly been paid to Mick Gatto or his associated companies.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Victoria's Big Build

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 30 June 2026 · Pat Conaghan Nationals

  The member asked for details on the assurances given by the Victorian Premier that Commonwealth funds would not reach Mick Gatto or his companies.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Victoria's Big Build

  Senate · Monday 29 June 2026 · Jane Hume Liberal

  The senator asked whether any companies receiving Commonwealth-funded contracts were required to make payments to organised crime figures to access worksites. She followed up by asking why Mick Gatto continues to profit ...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Chemical Contamination

  House of Representatives · Thursday 28 May 2026 · Meryl Swanson ALP

  The member asked for an explanation of the importance of the legal proceedings initiated against 3M Australia and 3M Company in the Federal Court.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 26 May 2026 · Nicolette Boele Ind

  The member asked how the parliament can oversee the implementation of five classified recommendations from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion interim report.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Negative Gearing

  House of Representatives · Thursday 14 May 2026 · Anne Webster Nationals

  The member asked why the Prime Minister is restricting negative gearing for nurses, teachers, and police when he has benefited from it himself.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Indigenous Australians

  Senate · Wednesday 13 May 2026 · Lidia Thorpe Ind

  The member asked if the minister agreed that the Northern Territory legislation should be paused until an inquiry was complete. She further questioned whether the inquiry should be led by Aboriginal experts or a former p...

  Answered by Malarndirri McCarthy

• Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi)

  Senate · Tuesday 31 March 2026 · Mehreen Faruqi Greens

  The senator asked what concrete actions the government had taken to secure justice for Zomi Frankcom, noting that no one had been held accountable. She asked why the government had not referred the matter to the Internat...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Fuel

  Senate · Thursday 26 March 2026 · Kerrynne Liddle Liberal

  The member asked how the government allowed the fuel crisis to escalate to the point of disrupting trade, jobs, food supply, and health services. She cited specific impacts on apprentices, vegetable growers, and police o...

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Workplace Relations

  Senate · Tuesday 24 March 2026 · Fatima Payman Australia's Voice

  The member asked if it remained the case that no referrals for wage theft had been made to the Federal Police or Commonwealth DPP, despite the team having $49 million allocated over four years. She later asked what else ...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• National Anti-Corruption Commission

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 11 February 2026 · Helen Haines Ind

  The member asked if the Attorney-General accepted that changes were needed to restore public confidence in the NACC, given its limited public output and internal investigations.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Palestine Action Group: Protest

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026 · Elizabeth Watson-Brown Greens

  The member asked the Prime Minister to condemn the police violence against peaceful protesters during President Herzog's visit. She also asked if the Prime Minister would send President Herzog home, arguing the invitatio...

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• International Relations: Australia and Israel

  Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Mehreen Faruqi Greens

  The member asked why the government was inviting the President of Israel, described as a war criminal, and whether the invitation would be rescinded.

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Housing

  Senate · Tuesday 3 February 2026 · Sean Bell One Nation

  The member asked why the government permitted foreign-owned vacant properties to remain without police oversight or penalties during the housing crisis.

  Answered by Katy Gallagher

• Bondi Beach: Attack

  Senate · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Deborah O'Neill ALP

  The member asked what steps the government was taking to address the motivation and means of the Bondi attack to prevent recurrence.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Mike Freelander ALP

  The member asked what the government was doing to strengthen laws to combat antisemitism, hate, and extremism.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Antisemitism

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 20 January 2026 · Josh Burns ALP

  The member asked how the AFP was addressing antisemitic crimes and what progress had been made.

  Answered by Tony Burke

• Australian Constitution

  Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Mehreen Faruqi Greens

  The senator asked whether the government would recognise the rise in public backing for a republic and act to sever links with the British monarchy.

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Migration

  Senate · Wednesday 26 November 2025 · Fatima Payman Australia's Voice

  The senator asked whether the government would condemn the US directive to collect migrant crime data.

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Crime: Illicit Tobacco

  Senate · Thursday 6 November 2025 · Jonathon Duniam Liberal

  The member asked whether the government accepted that its lack of decisive action on illicit tobacco was undermining state and territory efforts, and requested figures on the budget impact of the trade.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

  House of Representatives · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Tim Wilson Liberal

  The member asked if Zach Smith, head of the Victorian CFMEU, still sat on the National Construction Industry Forum and would advise the minister, given his meetings with John Setka.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Crime: Illicit Tobacco

  Senate · Thursday 30 October 2025 · Paul Scarr Liberal

  The member asked whether the taskforce would guarantee a reduction in illegal tobacco entering the country undetected. He referenced a fatal firebombing incident in Melbourne and asked for estimates on future crimes and ...

  Answered by Murray Watt

• Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

  House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member asked whether the minister retained full confidence in Mark Irving given the allegations of criminal conduct and associations with organised crime figures within the union.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Industrial Relations

  House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member asked whether the minister would deregister the CFMEU as the Coalition had proposed, citing ongoing corruption and criminal links under the current administration.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

  House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025 · Tim Wilson Liberal

  The member asked why the government had not acted against crime and corruption in the CFMEU, suggesting inaction was due to political donations.

  Answered by Amanda Rishworth

• National Security

  House of Representatives · Thursday 9 October 2025 · Phillip Thompson LNP

  The member asked the Prime Minister to disclose the number of additional ISIS brides returning, their arrival times, and their places of residence.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Freedom of Information

  House of Representatives · Thursday 9 October 2025 · Helen Haines Ind

  The member asked why the government is expanding cabinet secrecy in the FOI bill when the royal commission recommended the opposite.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• National Security

  Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Michaelia Cash Liberal

  The senator asked whether individuals associated with ISIS were returning to Australia or had returned in recent months, citing community concern over the group's history of violence and genocide.

  Answered by Don Farrell

• Emergency Services

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Justine Elliot ALP

  The member asked how the government was honouring police bravery and why strong leadership was important for supporting police.

  Answered by Tony Burke; Anthony Albanese

• Emergency Services

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member expressed respect for Commissioner Kershaw's service and wished him well.

  Answered by Sussan Ley (Farrer) (Liberal Party)

• National Security

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member asked the Prime Minister to explain the contradiction between his previous rejection of reports about ISIS brides coming to Australia and recent statements by NSW police deputy commissioner Dave Hudson.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• National Security

  Senate · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Tyron Whitten One Nation

  The senator asked whether the government had been in discussions with NSW police over repatriation and if the government would consider sending ISIS brides to Nauru instead of allowing them into the community.

  Answered by Murray Watt

• National Security

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Kevin Hogan Nationals

  The member asked if the Prime Minister was calling NSW police deputy commissioner David Hudson a liar for confirming the police were working on the issue.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• National Security

  House of Representatives · Thursday 4 September 2025 · Alex Hawke Liberal

  The member asked if the Attorney-General was aware of whether Daniel Andrews had complied with the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme and to report on his compliance status.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Middle East

  Senate · Tuesday 26 August 2025 · David Shoebridge Greens

  The senator asked whether the government would condemn the attack on Nasser hospital as a war crime and commit to applying sanctions against Israel similar to those applied to Russia.

  Answered by Penny Wong

• Child Care

  House of Representatives · Monday 25 August 2025 · Mary Doyle ALP

  The member asked about progress on reforming working-with-children checks and any recent updates.

  Answered by Michelle Rowland

• Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

  House of Representatives · Tuesday 25 March 2025 · Zoe McKenzie Liberal

  The member asked if the Minister had asked her department to identify taxpayer money diverted to organized crime through the CFMEU and what action had been taken.

  Answered by Catherine King

• Antisemitism

  House of Representatives · Thursday 13 February 2025 · Julian Leeser Liberal

  The member asked the Prime Minister to explain what the country had become under his leadership given the rise in antisemitism and the alleged failure to set up an AFP taskforce or bring together national cabinet.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Economy

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 12 February 2025 · Angus Taylor Liberal

  The member asked why Australians were paying the price for the government's alleged economic incompetence, citing a collapse in living standards.

  Answered by Anthony Albanese

• Crime: Mandatory Sentencing

  House of Representatives · Monday 10 February 2025 · Sussan Ley Liberal

  The member asked the Attorney-General to detail the benefits of mandatory sentencing, given his previous statements opposing it and his recent support for a bill that passed the House.

  Answered by Mark Dreyfus

• Crime: Mandatory Sentencing

  House of Representatives · Monday 10 February 2025 · Mark Dreyfus ALP

  The Attorney-General spoke about the need for unity and bipartisanship in response to the rise in antisemitism, referencing his family history and the recent passage of hate speech legislation.

  Answered by Mark Dreyfus (Isaacs) (Australian Labor Party)

• Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Thursday 17 September 2026 · Andrew Hastie (Canning) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The debate centred on whether the bill’s enforcement measures were sufficient to combat the illicit tobacco market or if the government needed to address underlying economic drivers. Coalition members supported the bill’...

• Modern Slavery

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Bob Katter (Kennedy) (Katter's Australian Party) KAP

  The debate centred on a motion moved by the member for Kennedy to strengthen Australia's response to modern slavery, specifically regarding fresh produce imports. The mover argued that current reporting requirements were...

• Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission Yearly Report to Parliament

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Ali France (Dickson) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  Members debated the findings of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission's third annual report, which highlighted that despite record government funding, progress in reducing violence remains too slow. Labor m...

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · Sam Lim (Tangney) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The debate focused on reforms to strengthen Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, specifically targeting high-risk mechanisms like cryptocurrency ATMs. Labor members argued that the...

• Superannuation

  Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Fatima Payman (WA) (Australia's Voice) Australia's Voice

  The Senate debated a motion to criminalise deliberate superannuation underpayment and guarantee super for workers under 18. Labor members argued that existing reforms, including payday super and wage theft criminalisatio...

• Defence Procurement: Submarines

  Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026 · Jacqui Lambie (TAS) (Jacqui Lambie Network) JLN

  Senator Jacqui Lambie moved a motion to take note of the Minister's answer regarding AUKUS and its impact on the Australian Federal Police. She criticised the government for undisclosed increases in AFP headcount require...

• Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  Senate · Monday 14 September 2026 · Tim Ayres (NSW) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The Senate debated the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026, which aims to protect the integrity of Australian sport by introducing new offences for match-fixing. The Minister for Industr...

• Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026; First Reading

  Senate · Monday 14 September 2026

• Tobacco Control

  House of Representatives · Monday 14 September 2026 · Mary Aldred (Monash) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The debate centred on a motion moved by the Liberal Party criticising the government's tobacco excise policy, citing a collapse in revenue and a rise in violent crime linked to the illicit tobacco market. Liberal members...

• Statute Update Bill 2026; Second Reading

  Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Michaelia Cash (WA) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The Senate debated the Statute Update Bill 2026, a technical measure to clean up legislation, alongside significant amendments concerning veterans' affairs. The Coalition and crossbench members moved amendments to remove...

• Statute Update Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate

  Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Slade Brockman (WA) (DPRES) DPRES

  The Senate debated the Statute Update Bill 2026 under a limitation of debate order. The opposition moved a second reading amendment and committee stage amendments to protect veterans from monetary caps on allied health t...

• Illicit Tobacco

  Senate · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Jonathon Duniam (TAS) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  Liberal senators moved a motion condemning the government's tobacco excise policy for fueling an illicit market controlled by organised crime. They argued that high taxes have caused revenue collapse and increased violen...

• Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Modernisation and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Julian Hill (Bruce) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The debate focused on the government's proposal to modernise customs enforcement against illicit tobacco and strengthen proceeds-of-crime laws. Assistant Minister Julian Hill argued that the bill addresses sophisticated ...

• Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026; Third Reading

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Thursday 10 September 2026 · Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The debate centered on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026, which aimed to empower AUSTRAC to restrict high-risk financial mechanisms like crypto ATMs. Labor members and Anne Sta...

• Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Jane Hume (VIC) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The Senate debated the Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026, which seeks to remove the five-year statutory limit on disqualifying union officers and clarify that disqualified persons cannot hold position...

• Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence

  Senate · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Larissa Waters (QLD) (Australian Greens) Greens

  Senator Larissa Waters moved that the Senate take note of the Minister for Women's answer regarding domestic, family and sexual violence. She criticised the government for delays in implementing expert recommendations on...

• Gun Control

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Andrew Gee (Calare) (Independent) Ind

  The debate centred on a motion moved by Andrew Gee calling for the repeal of state and federal firearm buyback schemes, which Gee characterised as unfair to law-abiding owners and ineffective against criminals. Gee argue...

• Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Carol Berry (Whitlam) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

  The House of Representatives debated the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026, which introduces seven new Commonwealth offences to combat match-fixing and sports corruption. Speakers from...

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading

  House of Representatives · Wednesday 9 September 2026 · Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay) (Liberal Party) Liberal

  The debate centered on strengthening Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws, particularly regarding high-risk mechanisms like cryptocurrency ATMs. Government members argued the bill was es...