This bill became law on Oct 26th, 2023.
Immigration, border & security
People entering a visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. before becoming eligible to apply for a visa can be charged to register for that ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage..
Because the visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. might legally count as a tax, the government could not impose it inside the wider migration bill. This bill separately imposes that charge for ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. entrants, lets regulations set it up to a capped amount or zero, and helps discourage non-genuine registrations.
Australia’s permanent migration program was bringing in fewer than 1,000 permanent migrants from Pacific island countries in 2021-22, so the government moved to create the Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. to deepen regional ties and grow Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora communities in Australia. Because the new visa was capped at up to 3,000 places a year and demand was expected to exceed supply, this bill set up a separate charge for people entering the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage., alongside the companion migration bill that created the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. framework, and the package became law in October 2023.
The main criticism was that the bill underpins a paid ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. for permanent migration, which critics said is a poor way to choose future residents because it is random, weakly targeted and could worsen workforce and settlement outcomes. That case was raised mainly by Coalition speakers and some crossbench senators, while a few non-government senators only backed the broader Pacific visa idea if the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. design and safeguards were changed.
Andrew Giles MP introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Greens, Centre Alliance, some crossbench members; opposed by Liberal Party, Nationals, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 26 Oct 2023
Final passage
Recorded final vote
1 counted final-passage vote was recorded.
Passage speed
252 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
People entering a visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. before becoming eligible to apply for a visa can be charged to register for that ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage..
The person who registers for a visa pre-application processThe ballot stage people must enter before they are allowed to apply for the visa. must pay the registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. themselves.
The Australian Government can set the registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. by regulations instead of putting a fixed amount in the Act.
The registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. can be set at zero for a particular visa pre-application processThe ballot stage people must enter before they are allowed to apply for the visa..
The registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. starts with a legal cap of $100, and that cap is adjusted for inflation over time.
8. This item inserts a new definition of visa pre-application process charge. This is the charge payable by a person, under the Migration (Visa Pre‑application Process) Charge Act 2023 (the Charge Act), for registration to participate in a ballot where random selection by ballot is a step towards eligibility to apply for a visa.Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge explanatory memorandum
Charge imposed on the registration of a person as a registered participant in a visa pre‑application process is payable by the person.Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Act 2023 final Act text
(1) The amount of charge imposed on the registration of a person as a registered participant in a visa pre‑application process is the amount prescribed by the regulations.Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Act 2023 final Act text
(5) The amount prescribed by the regulations in relation to a visa pre‑application process may be nil.Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Act 2023 final Act text
The Charge Bill allows regulations to be made prescribing the amount of charge with the ability to prescribe different amounts for different ballots, and for different classes of persons. Importantly, the Charge Bill establishes a ceiling for the maximum amount of charge ($100) that may be prescribed under the regulations for a particular ballot. The Charge Bill also provides a mechanism for indexing this ceiling in accordance with annual movements in the Consumer Price Index. Regulations prescribing a charge would be disallowable by the Parliament.Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge explanatory memorandum
Context
Australia’s permanent migration program was bringing in fewer than 1,000 permanent migrants from Pacific island countries in 2021-22, so the government moved to create the Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. to deepen regional ties and grow Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora communities in Australia. Because the new visa was capped at up to 3,000 places a year and demand was expected to exceed supply, this bill set up a separate charge for people entering the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage., alongside the companion migration bill that created the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. framework, and the package became law in October 2023.
Pacific migration remained low in Australia's permanent program
Senate debate recorded that fewer than 1,000 permanent migrants from Pacific island countries came to Australia in 2021-22, highlighting the underrepresentation the new visa was meant to address.
Hansard ↗Government says the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. is needed because demand will exceed places
The explanatory memorandumThe document that explains what the bill is meant to do and how its clauses are supposed to work. said a ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. was appropriate for the Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. because annual demand was expected to outstrip the number of available places.
Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. package
The government introduced this bill with a companion migration bill as the first legislative step toward a Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. from July 2023 with up to 3,000 places each year.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing the legislation needed to impose a charge on registrations for the new visa pre-application ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the charge law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, completing the package that allowed the government to charge people registering for the Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
Recorded vote: 86 to 52.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (09/03/2023): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (13/06/2023)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill underpins a paid ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. for permanent migration, which critics said is a poor way to choose future residents because it is random, weakly targeted and could worsen workforce and settlement outcomes. That case was raised mainly by Coalition speakers and some crossbench senators, while a few non-government senators only backed the broader Pacific visa idea if the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. design and safeguards were changed.
Criticism focused more on the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. design than on creating a Pacific migration pathway itself.
Paid lottery for permanent visas
Critics said charging people to enter a ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. for a permanent visa effectively creates a paid lottery for residency and citizenship, rather than selecting migrants through clearer economic, skills or settlement priorities.
Weak targeting and poor labour outcomes
Opponents argued the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. lacks strong skill and regional requirements, so it may not match the workers Australia needs and could produce weaker workforce planning and settlement outcomes than a more structured pathway.
Risk to Pacific countries and need for safeguards
Some critics warned the scheme could drain skilled workers from Pacific countries, while conditional supporters said the program needed tighter safeguards and review to manage impacts on services and ensure the system operated fairly.
Ballot process should be narrowed or redesigned
Some senators said they could not support the bill as drafted unless the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. was refined, including concerns that humanitarian visas should not be swept into such a process and that the overall implementation model should be reconsidered.
Further sources
Votes
The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed 86 to 52. Support came from Labor, Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
Defeated 28 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This was an attempt to reshape the Senate’s second-reading position on the visa pre-application charge bill rather than change the bill text itself. Its defeat left the bill to proceed without that criticism or call for withdrawal being adopted.
The Senate agreed on voices to Senator Jacqui Lambie’s second-reading amendmentA proposed change to the bill debate that can alter the motion about whether the bill should be read a second time. calling for a streamlined citizenship pathway for Pacific Islanders already working in Australia.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate defeated Senator Nick McKim’s committee amendments on sheet 1891, which sought to limit how the visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. framework could apply to humanitarian visas.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate defeated Senator Nick McKim’s committee amendments on sheet 2124, which related to disability safeguards in the migration framework.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Giles supports the bill, saying it is needed to impose a nominal registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. for the visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. and to stop non-genuine participants from crowding out genuine applicants.
Read in Hansard ↗Tehan says the coalition supports a Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. in principle, but opposes this bill because it uses a paid lottery to decide permanent residency and citizenship.
Read in Hansard ↗McKim does not oppose the visa pre-application charge bill, but says the Greens want deeper reform because the package still leaves Australia’s migration system discriminatory and does too little to meet Pacific climate and migration needs.
Read in Hansard ↗Sharkie says she supports the bill because it will create a faster, more targeted visa pathway that helps regional employers fill serious labour shortages and strengthens ties with the Pacific.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
6 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 support
“The Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023 applies a charge on persons who register as participants in a visa pre-application process. The charge bill provides that the amount of the charge cannot be more than $100, indexed in line with the consumer price index. The government, importantly, intends to apply a fee of $25 for registering to enter the Pacific engagement visa.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What these bills do is lay the groundwork for the creation of a Pacific engagement visa. At the same time we are expanding the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme visa program. They are both very important, and they both do different things. But this visa program, the Pacific engagement visa, will facilitate up to 3,000 permanent migrants from Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste each year. It will occur through a ballot process that is modelled on the Pacific access category resident visa that New Zealand operates on.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Tim Ayres, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Ayres supports the bill and says the charge is needed to stop non-genuine applicants from using the visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage., while still preserving places for genuine participants. He presents it as part of a wider package to deliver the Pacific Engagement VisaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. and strengthen Australia's ties with the Pacific.
“A bill to impose a charge to register in a visa pre-application process is necessary to ensure the ballot does not attract non-genuine participants and preserves the opportunity for genuine participants who intend to apply for the relevant visa should they be successful in the ballot draw.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Ayres says the Senate should support the bill because it fits the government's broader Pacific engagement agenda and will help deliver a new Pacific engagement visaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence.. He argues it has broad support and should be passed to give confidence and get the work done.
“This piece of legislation fits comfortably and firmly within the government's broader suite of policy options and initiatives for the Pacific in partnership with the Pacific. The Senate ought to support this piece of legislation thoroughly and give confidence more broadly and get this bit of work done.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The visa pre-application process bill deals with these matters in a number of ways. In addition to the ballot, the amendments impose a charge on participants registering in the ballot. This sensible safeguard is intended to act as a deterrent to non-genuine entries or bulk attempts to manipulate the process. It is capped at $100 in recognition that an overly prohibitive fee would defeat the purpose of any visa categories.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I want to update the Senate on the role of the visa pre-application process, or ballot, in the Pacific engagement visa. There will be a two-stage process in applying for the visas. In the first stage, interested persons will register in a ballot. The ballot will then randomly select people to proceed to the second stage of applying for the visa. The use of a ballot is based on Pacific migration schemes that have successfully operated in New Zealand for decades. The ballot will give all interested Pacific islanders an equal chance of being selected to apply for a visa, regardless of skill levels. This will help avoid brain drain from Pacific countries. It will also reduce processing times and costs, making the visa more affordable and accessible for low-income Pacific nationals.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Andrew Giles on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Giles supports the bill, saying it is needed to impose a nominal registration chargeThe fee a person may have to pay just to enter the ballot, even before they can apply for the visa. for the visa ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. and to stop non-genuine participants from crowding out genuine applicants. He argues the charge is part of a broader package to deliver the Pacific engagement visaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence..
“A bill to impose a charge to register in a visa pre-application process is necessary to ensure the ballot does not attract non-genuine participants and preserves the opportunity for genuine participants who intend to apply for the relevant visa should they be successful in the ballot draw.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Andrew Giles supports the bill because it creates a fair ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage.-based visa pre-application processThe ballot stage people must enter before they are allowed to apply for the visa. to back a new permanent Pacific engagement visaThe proposed visa program this bill helps set up, aimed at giving selected Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals a path to permanent residence. and strengthen ties with Pacific and Timor-Leste communities. He says the bills deserve support and are in the national interest.
“The bills support Australia's long-held values of fairness and equal opportunity, and support the creation of a new migration path to grow and support Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora communities in Australia. I thank all members who have contributed to this debate. These bills deserve support, and I commend them to the Chamber.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
8 speakers · 5 oppose · 1 mixed · 2 unclear
“We support the concept of a Pacific Engagement Visa, but we do not support this being done by a lottery or a ballot. The coalition supports a well-structured, well-planned immigration policy. Permanent residency that ultimately leads to citizenship in Australia is too important, though, to be decided by having your named pulled out of a hat. These bills, the Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023 and a related bill, will for the first time create a ballot process that will be able to be used not just for the Pacific Engagement Visa but for any future visa that the government of the day may decide to introduce. This has the potential to turn Australia's immigration system on its head. Instead of Australia's current immigration policy, which is based on attracting skilled migrants who contribute to the economy, the government proposes to introduce a lottery to decide who can become a permanent resident. That is why we oppose these bills.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As I said at the start of this speech, the PEV has some merit and I would be willing to work with the government and the Pacific nations for the development of a sustainable PEV, knowing what it means to Mallee in terms of our workforce issues. A pathway for permanent residency is valid, particularly for those who have shown the capacity to work in Australia. That is something I support and will continue to support. What I can't support is the legislation in its current form.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The first point I want to address is this concept of a lottery. Now, there are members of the public sitting in the gallery here today. I wonder what they think about the concept that, for the first time in Australia's history, we are about to introduce a lottery process to determine who can or can't come to this country—a lottery process, whereby people pay an application fee to enter into the lottery, and whether or not their lot, their application, is chosen out of the process determines whether or not they can make a home in this country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So, if I, as a member of the opposition, may be so bold as to say it: these bills need to be rethought. The government needs to go back and consult more broadly with those who would be impacted the most heavily by these bills. This is not a time for policy on the run. This is a time for working with our Pacific partners, who are friends and family.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the amendment to the motion for the second reading of the Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023. I will just start by commending the member for Fisher for his contribution and, somewhat lazily, attach myself to all of the excellent points that he made, just so that I can use my time to expand on some other points.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will not be supporting the Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023 and the Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023. I concur with the amendment that the shadow minister for immigration, the member for Wannon, has put forward and totally support his views on this important matter. He is quite correct when he points out that this is basically pulling a name out of a hat, a visa lottery for Pacific workers. That sort of system has not been in operation in Australia before. Once a lottery is established, it may well be expanded. This is not the sort of situation that we've had previously. We've had a bipartisan, non-discriminatory immigration program in place for decades. That is why I support the amendment but do not, cannot and will not support the bill as put forward.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to discuss the Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023. Regrettably the coalition is not in a position to support this bill as it is currently drafted. I want to start by saying, and really emphasising, the coalition of course supports efforts to engage more with our Pacific neighbours.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While these bills purport to be addressing Pacific island engagement, which is something that those on our side obviously support, the bills have unintended consequences, and that is the reason that my side cannot support these bills. One of the unintended consequences could be to drain the Pacific islands and Timor-Leste of some of their skilled workers, which is not the intention of good engagement with our Pacific neighbours. For all of the reasons mentioned, I oppose these bills.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 4 contributions · 1 support · 2 mixed
“The Greens are committed to amending the Disability Discrimination Act removing the migration exemption and putting an end to this blatant discrimination. By doing so, Australia will further fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I am proud to co-sponsor amendments to achieve this very goal to this legislation alongside my colleague Senator McKim, who in the course of our deliberation on this legislation and our collective work together has demonstrated the true nature of allyship in the disability space. I thank him and his team for that. Allyship becomes material, allyship becomes meaningful, when it is put into action. That is what Senator McKim and his team have demonstrated during this legislative consideration period.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I won't get a chance to put all the Greens' views on this on the record during my second reading contribution, because time will get the better of me, but I will place on the record some further aspects of our position on some of the provisions of this bill during the committee stage.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Larissa Waters on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Waters says the Greens have serious objections to the visa pre-application charge bill and will try to amend it so the ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. cannot be used for humanitarian visas and discriminatory migration rules are fixed. She argues the government should not expand this system while still approving coal and gas that worsen the climate pressures driving migration.
“We've got three main concerns with this bill, and we have relevant amendments that will seek to address those concerns. The first concern is that, as it is drafted, the amendment bill could be used to allocate humanitarian visas.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Waters says the Greens will not back the bill as drafted unless it is amended to keep humanitarian visas out of the proposed ballotThe random selection process used to decide which people get to move on to the visa application stage. process. She argues the process is inappropriate for refugees and sits alongside a broader failure to act on climate and Pacific interests.
“As I said at the outset, that's not the only concern we have with this legislation. We will also be seeking to amend the legislation to ensure that humanitarian visas are not subject to this proposed ballot process. That would be deeply inappropriate, as the UNHCR has already recognised.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 3 contributions · 2 mixed
“I am supportive of these bills, but I feel it's also necessary, as permitted by democratic process, to acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by the opposition and to consider some other proposals.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jacqui Lambie, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Lambie says she is prepared to support the bill in principle because it would speed up migration from the Pacific, but she objects to the 3,000-person cap and the lottery system. Her backing depends on the government refining the process and targeting workers Australia actually needs.
“So I'm not sure about your lottery process. I'm happy to support this, but your number 3,000, I don't understand why it can't be more. Like I said, they are proven. I can't understand why we can't target where these jobs are going, because that is what it should look like. So if your lottery is not bringing that up and I can't get more about this whole lottery system, then we're probably going to have a problem with votes in here. But you're going to have to refine your lottery system. So I will leave that with you and I will allow you people to discuss that over the next 15 or 20 minutes or whenever you want to take the vote. But right now we're not keen.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Moved amendment
Jacqui Lambie supports the bill passing, but wants the Senate to note that it should be matched with a streamlined citizenship pathway for Pacific Islander migrants to help fill major labour shortages. Her position is that the charge is acceptable only if the government also develops policy for people already in Australia under the PALM scheme.
“At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 86 to 52.
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (13/06/2023)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (9 Mar 2023): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (13 June 2023)
APH bill page notes
