This bill became law on Nov 27th, 2023.
Government & democracy
People who move to Australia on a Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. can get Family Tax Benefit Part AA federal payment that helps with the cost of raising children, which this bill lets certain Pacific visa holders and PALM families receive sooner., AustudyA study payment for adults in approved study, which this bill lets Pacific Engagement visa holders receive without the usual waiting period., and Youth AllowanceA payment for young people in study, training, or apprenticeship, which this bill opens up immediately for eligible Pacific Engagement visa holders. for students or apprentices straight away instead of serving the usual waiting periodThe delay before many new migrants can get some Australian payments, which this bill removes for listed Pacific visa holders and adjusts for some PALM workers..
The new Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. and PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. family-accompaniment policy exposed a gap: arrivals would face waiting periods or miss family payments, childcare helpThe government loan system for higher education, which this bill opens up for Pacific Engagement visa holders so they can study before paying upfront. and student loans, while long PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. placements kept families apart. This bill removes those barriers by giving visa holders earlier access to payments and loans, and extending family benefits to eligible PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. workers and their families.
After the PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. was introduced in April 2022 to helpThe government loan system for higher education, which this bill opens up for Pacific Engagement visa holders so they can study before paying upfront. employers fill labour gaps, Australia moved in 2023 to deepen Pacific migration links through a new Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. and a family-accompaniment pathway for some long-stay PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. workers. That exposed a practical gap because new arrivals and accompanying families could miss family payments, childcare support and student loans or face waiting periods, so the bill was introduced, passed in November 2023 and turned into law to bring those supports forward.
The main criticism was that expanding benefits around the Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. could lock in a flawed ballot-style migration pathway, worsen brain drain from Pacific countries and shift extra welfare and living-cost pressures onto Australia. That case was raised most clearly by Coalition speakers in the Senate and Pauline Hanson, while some other senators supported the bill but still wanted stronger settlement safeguards and monitoring.
Hon Pat Conroy MP introduced this bill. In the recorded Senate second-reading vote, support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, UAP, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 27 Nov 2023
Final passage
No counted final vote
1 recorded vote on the bill was found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
109 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
People who move to Australia on a Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. can get Family Tax Benefit Part AA federal payment that helps with the cost of raising children, which this bill lets certain Pacific visa holders and PALM families receive sooner., AustudyA study payment for adults in approved study, which this bill lets Pacific Engagement visa holders receive without the usual waiting period., and Youth AllowanceA payment for young people in study, training, or apprenticeship, which this bill opens up immediately for eligible Pacific Engagement visa holders. for students or apprentices straight away instead of serving the usual waiting periodThe delay before many new migrants can get some Australian payments, which this bill removes for listed Pacific visa holders and adjusts for some PALM workers..
People on a Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. can qualify for HELPThe government loan system for higher education, which this bill opens up for Pacific Engagement visa holders so they can study before paying upfront. university loans and VET student loansGovernment loans for vocational education and training, which this bill extends to Pacific Engagement visa holders., giving them easier access to higher education and training in Australia.
Some Pacific Australia Labour Mobility workers on long placements, and their families, can now get Family Tax Benefit and Child Care SubsidyA payment that lowers child care fees, which this bill makes available to some eligible PALM workers and their families in Australia. when they are approved to bring family to Australia.
Eligible Pacific Australia Labour Mobility workers and their families can count time already spent in Australia on earlier PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. visas toward the 52-week Family Tax Benefit Part AA federal payment that helps with the cost of raising children, which this bill lets certain Pacific visa holders and PALM families receive sooner. waiting periodThe delay before many new migrants can get some Australian payments, which this bill removes for listed Pacific visa holders and adjusts for some PALM workers., so it does not restart with each new visa.
Ministers can extend these benefits to a replacement visa if the Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. is renamed or replaced later, so people do not lose access because of an administrative visa change.
This Bill amends the newly arrived resident’s waiting period provisions in the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and the Social Security Act 1991 to enable holders of Pacific engagement visas immediate access to FTB Part A, Austudy, Youth Allowance (student) and Youth Allowance (apprentice). The newly arrived resident’s waiting period restricts a person’s access to a social security or family assistance payment for defined periods, depending on the payment. Exemptions to the application of the newly arrived resident’s waiting period apply in certain circumstances prescribed in social security and family assistance law. This Bill introduces exemptions to the newly arrived resident’s waiting period for holders of Pacific engagement visas to enable them to access these payments upon arrival in Australia, subject to meeting all other eligibility requirements.Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) explanatory memorandum
The Bill also extends access to the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and VET Student Loans (VSL). Access to student loans for tertiary education and vocational training, coupled with financial assistance while studying and training (Youth Allowance (student and apprentice) and Austudy), will broaden the scope of participation across a range of skill levels. This will ensure Australia does not drain the Pacific of skilled workers and is contributing to an overall ‘brain gain’ and skills dividend for the region.Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) explanatory memorandum
This Bill will amend the residency requirements and newly arrived resident’s waiting period provisions in the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to enable PALM scheme workers to access FTB and related benefits and CCS. Among other things, to qualify for FTB and CCS, a person must satisfy residency requirements. Most temporary visa holders, including those on PALM visas do not currently meet these requirements. These requirements will be amended by this Bill to include subclass 403 visa holders who are PALM scheme participants (or family members of a PALM scheme participant), and who meet certain conditions as specified by legislative instrument. This will enable these visa holders to qualify for FTB and CCS, subject to meeting all other requirements.Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) explanatory memorandum
The visa covered by paragraph 21(1B)(a) is the subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa (or a replacement visa as specified under new subsection 21(1C)). The effect of new subsection 61AA(5A) is that the newly arrived resident’s waiting period applied to PALM scheme participants and their family members starts from the date they first became the holder of a subclass 403 visa (or replacement visa) that is of a kind determined under subsection 61AA(5B). The effect of new subsection 61AA(5A) is that where a PALM scheme participant or their family member holds successive subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visas because they undertake successive PALM scheme placements, the newly arrived resident’s waiting period starts from the date of the first of those visas rather than re-starting for each subsequent visa and PALM scheme placement.Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) explanatory memorandum
Item 11 will insert a new subclause (4) at the end of clause 1 of Schedule 1, to provide that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine a kind of visa for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of Pacific engagement visa holder, if the Minister has been advised by the Immigration Minister that it is the opinion of the Immigration Minister that the kind of visa has replaced or will replace the Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa referred to in the regulations made under the Migration Act 1958, or a kind of visa previously determined under subclause (4), and the replacement kind of visa is intended to give the same benefits as the replaced kind of visa. The detail that is to be included in the legislative instrument is administrative in nature and would not represent a policy shift. For example, a change in the subclass number following a consolidation of visa subclasses or the renaming of the visa could be managed through the making of an instrument. This will ensure that benefits will continue to be available to eligible visa holders in these circumstances.Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) explanatory memorandum
Context
After the PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. was introduced in April 2022 to helpThe government loan system for higher education, which this bill opens up for Pacific Engagement visa holders so they can study before paying upfront. employers fill labour gaps, Australia moved in 2023 to deepen Pacific migration links through a new Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. and a family-accompaniment pathway for some long-stay PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. workers. That exposed a practical gap because new arrivals and accompanying families could miss family payments, childcare support and student loans or face waiting periods, so the bill was introduced, passed in November 2023 and turned into law to bring those supports forward.
PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. begins bringing more Pacific workers to Australia
The scheme was introduced to let Australian businesses hire workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, helping fill labour gaps in rural, regional and remote areas.
Hansard ↗Government introduces support for the new Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. and PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. families
The minister said the bill would give Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. holders immediate access to student loans, study support and Family Tax Benefit Part AA federal payment that helps with the cost of raising children, which this bill lets certain Pacific visa holders and PALM families receive sooner., and extend services to eligible PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. families.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed to the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the new payment and student-loan access rules to be enacted.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a passed bill into an Act and makes the changes law. makes the changes law
The Governor-General assented to the bill, turning it into an Act that legally enabled the new Pacific visa and PALMA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. family support settings.
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.
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
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
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 32 to 25.
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 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 Governor-General's formal approval that turns a passed bill into an Act and makes the changes law., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that expanding benefits around the Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. could lock in a flawed ballot-style migration pathway, worsen brain drain from Pacific countries and shift extra welfare and living-cost pressures onto Australia. That case was raised most clearly by Coalition speakers in the Senate and Pauline Hanson, while some other senators supported the bill but still wanted stronger settlement safeguards and monitoring.
Criticism was real but limited rather than broad across the parliament.
Ballot model and brain drain
Critics argued the bill entrenched the Pacific Engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. while broader objections to that visa remained unresolved, especially the use of a ballot or lottery model and the risk that permanent migration could drain workers from Pacific communities and reduce remittances back home.
Extra cost and service pressure
Opponents said giving faster access to family payments, childcare support and student loans would increase taxpayer costs and add to existing housing, welfare and cost-of-living pressures in Australia.
Need for stronger settlement safeguards
A narrower reservation was that newly arrived visa holders, especially women and families facing hardship or domestic violence, might still be left exposed unless the scheme had stronger monitoring, consultation and settlement support.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House 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.
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 32 to 25. Support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Senate
Defeated 9 to 30. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, Nationals, and minor parties and independents.
The amendment was defeated, so the bill proceeded without the Greens' climate criticism and fossil-fuel policy call being attached to the second-reading motion.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Conroy supports the bill and says it puts the government’s Pacific policy into action by extending education, family assistance and childcare support to Pacific engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. holders and PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. families.
Read in Hansard ↗Pauline Hanson opposes the bill and says the PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. already works well without adding family accompaniment and extra welfare access.
Read in Hansard ↗Pocock supports the bill, but says newly arrived Pacific visa holders need stronger social security support to settle safely, especially women and families at risk of hardship or domestic violence.
Read in Hansard ↗Shayne Neumann supports the bill because he says it will give practical helpThe government loan system for higher education, which this bill opens up for Pacific Engagement visa holders so they can study before paying upfront. to Pacific workers and their families, especially through family accompaniment and access to benefits.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
6 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Pat Conroy, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Conroy supports the bill and says it puts the government’s Pacific policy into action by extending education, family assistance and childcare support to Pacific engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. holders and PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. families. He argues it is needed to strengthen ties with the Pacific, support workers and families, and build a larger Pacific diaspora in Australia.
“This bill is an important step towards delivering on our commitment to strengthen the Pacific family by supporting a flourishing Pacific diaspora in Australia, deepening connections with the countries of the Pacific and Timor-Leste.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Conroy supports the bill and says it is an important part of Labor’s Pacific agenda to deepen Australia’s ties with the region and strengthen the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. and Pacific engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support.. He presents it as a practical way to build prosperity, skills and people-to-people links with the Pacific.
“I thank everyone for their contribution. These bills are important. They're critical parts of this government's Pacific agenda about being the partner of choice for the Pacific, being a proud member of the Pacific family and rebuilding our connections to that incredibly important region, a region vital to our future prosperity. I commend the bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Whilst this particular legislation might seem obtuse, turgid and might not be seen as the most sexy piece of bill we have in this chamber, it offers real, practical help for people in our region and it shows our country's generosity, our decency and our humanity.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In conclusion, this bill is going to support the expansion and improvement of the PALM scheme and support the new Pacific engagement visa, all of which is going to strengthen and deeply enrich our connection with our Pacific partners and members in our region. They're all part of the Albanese Labor government's comprehensive plan to help Pacific countries meet their economic, development and climate change challenges and the security challenges within our region.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023 will enhance the Pacific engagement visas by expanding various support measures to those visa holders and their families. The bill will also amend A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999, to provide family tax benefit A to PEV holders. It amends the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the VET Student Loans Act 2016 to allow PEV holders access to the Higher Education Loan Program and to VET student loans.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jenny McAllister on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
McAllister supports the bill, saying it puts Australia’s Pacific commitments into action by extending education, family tax and childcare support to Pacific engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. holders and PALM schemeA program that lets Australian employers bring workers from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste for short or long placements, and this bill extends some family supports to longer-term workers. families. She argues it helps workers and their families settle, study and participate fully in Australian life while strengthening ties with the Pacific.
“This bill means that PALM scheme workers participating in family accompaniment will be able to access benefits to support them with the costs of raising a family. It will enable full participation of spouses in the workforce if they choose to do so. It recognises the invaluable contribution that people from the Pacific and Timor-Leste make to Australia, and it addresses the underrepresentation of some of Australia's closest neighbours and partners in our migration program. It brings to the fore the importance that Australia places on our relationships with the countries of this region and upholds our commitment to strengthening ties with the Pacific family.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McAllister supports the bill and says it is an important step to strengthen Australia’s ties with the Pacific by backing the Pacific engagement visaA new permanent visa for eligible people from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, which this bill gives quicker access to some payments and student support. and family accompaniment programs. She argues it will improve settlement outcomes and deepen people-to-people links across the region.
“Let me conclude this debate by explaining why the government is introducing the Pacific engagement visa and the PALM family accompaniment programs. Closer engagement between Australia and Pacific countries deepens our people-to-people connections, and it enriches our communities and our countries. As a member of the Pacific family, Australia is committed to working with all countries in the Pacific and Timor-Leste to achieve our shared aspirations and address our shared challenges. This bill is an important step towards delivering on our commitment to strengthen the Pacific family by supporting a flourishing Pacific diaspora in Australia and deepening connections with the countries of the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and these initiatives will strengthen our links with the Pacific family and deepen our ties to the region that is our home and that is critical to our future.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“We know allowing workers to bring their immediate families over means that we need to extend certain social benefits. This bill allows PALM workers in the pilot to access family tax benefits parts A and B and the childcare subsidy. This will help PALM workers with the costs of raising a family.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 1 oppose · 2 mixed
“On the second part of this bill relating to the Pacific engagement visa, PEV, the coalition will reserve its judgement pending the outcome of negotiations which are ongoing with the government on the mechanism by which the government seeks to operate the PEV. The coalition's view on the proposed ballot is well known, but we appreciate that the government is thus far indicating a willingness to work with the coalition on alternative mechanisms which do not provide immediate permanency through a random ballot selection process. We hope these negotiations can conclude constructively in the interests of Australia and those Pacific island nations which seek to be part of the PEV along with Timor-Leste. I thank the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That's why, when it comes to PALM and the PALM aspects of this bill, we will be supporting what the government proposes. When it comes to the PEV, the Pacific engagement visa, we will continue our good faith negotiations to see whether we can reach a compromise which might lead us to be able to support that part of the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“However, as an extension of our opposition to that bill, we'll oppose this bill, reflecting our strongly held view that permanent residency to Australia, which provides a pathway to citizenship, should not be determined by ballot or a lottery. Whilst PALM is an important program and has the strong support of the coalition—which in fact established PALM—the PEV is untested. There have been concerns expressed by some Pacific leaders about the impact of the PEV, particularly given it's a permanent visa. There are genuine concerns that it may ultimately lead to the permanent loss of population or brain drain. Importantly, there are also concerns that, as a consequence of that permanency, it may reduce remittances back to Pacific island nations. Remittances from PALM workers, of whom there are about 40,000 currently in Australia, have been important to sustaining whole communities across the Pacific. Remittances now form a big part of GDP and economic activity in PALM source countries.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“I rise to oppose the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023 in the strongest possible terms. I want Australian farmers to know I understand the importance of Pacific island workers to their businesses.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“For these key reasons, I've asked the government to consider expanding access to social security nets for newly arrived Pacific Engagement Visa holders. I've asked the government to do two things, and they have agreed. I'll move a second reading amendment to reflect the commitments they've given.”Read the full speech 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 · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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
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 debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 32 to 25.
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 · 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 Governor-General's formal approval that turns a passed bill into an Act and makes the changes law., turning the bill into an Act.
