This bill became law on Dec 8th, 2023.
Welfare & housing
Australia now has a permanent Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. that gives written advice to ministers before each federal budget on improving economic inclusion and participation.
Expert advice on disadvantage and income support was being provided only through an interim, non-statutoryNot created by law, so the interim committee had no permanent legal status before this bill made it official. committee. This bill makes the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. a permanent independent body that gives written advice before each federal budget and publishes its findings.
After the government announced a statutory Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. in November 2022, it first operated as an interim, non-statutoryNot created by law, so the interim committee had no permanent legal status before this bill made it official. body so ministers could get expert advice before the budget on income support, disadvantage and barriers to work. When that interim committee’s first report in April 2023 publicly urged major increases to payments such as JobSeekerA main working-age welfare payment mentioned here as one of the payments the committee’s advice may affect. and rent assistanceAn extra payment for eligible renters that is mentioned in the draft as part of the welfare increases debated around this bill., the bill responded by making the body permanent, requiring its reports to be published before each budget, and the Act took effect after Parliament passed it in December 2023.
The main criticism was that the bill might create an expensive advisory body that produces reports without forcing government to act, so it could become a symbolic committee rather than deliver real help to people in poverty. That case was pressed most clearly by the Coalition, while some crossbench and Greens speakers backed the idea only with reservations about independence, transparency and lived-experience representation.
Hon Amanda Rishworth MP introduced this bill. In the recorded House second-reading vote, support came from Labor, Greens, Centre Alliance, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 08 Dec 2023
Final passage
No counted final vote
2 recorded votes on the bill were found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
50 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia now has a permanent Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. that gives written advice to ministers before each federal budget on improving economic inclusion and participation.
The committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. must advise on whether income support paymentsGovernment payments for people with little or no income, such as JobSeeker, which this committee must assess for adequacy and sustainability. are adequate, effective and sustainable, including options to lift economic inclusion and reduce disadvantage.
The Social Services MinisterThe minister responsible for social services, who appoints committee members and can help set what the committee reports on. and the TreasurerThe senior economic minister who works with the Social Services Minister on the committee’s appointments and report directions. can require the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. to cover specific topics in a particular budget report.
The government must publish the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s findings on the department website at least 14 days before the federal budget is delivered.
The law requires independent reviews of how this Act is working, including whether the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. is carrying out its job effectively.
The Committee’s function is to give a written report to the Joint Ministers, ahead of each Commonwealth Government budget, on matters related to the Commonwealth Government’s policies, programs and responsibilities for enhancing economic inclusion and participation.Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as-passed bill text
(b) the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of income support payments, including options to boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage;Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as-passed bill text
(6) The Joint Ministers may, by written notice to the Chair, direct the Committee to ensure that a particular report under this section at least addresses specified matters mentioned in subsection (2).Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as-passed bill text
(9) The Minister must, in relation to a report given by the Committee under this section, cause the Committee’s findings to be published on the Department’s website at least 14 days before the Commonwealth Government budget is delivered in the House of Representatives.Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as-passed bill text
(3) Without limiting subsection (1), a review must consider whether the Committee is carrying out its function effectively.Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as-passed bill text
Context
After the government announced a statutory Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. in November 2022, it first operated as an interim, non-statutoryNot created by law, so the interim committee had no permanent legal status before this bill made it official. body so ministers could get expert advice before the budget on income support, disadvantage and barriers to work. When that interim committee’s first report in April 2023 publicly urged major increases to payments such as JobSeekerA main working-age welfare payment mentioned here as one of the payments the committee’s advice may affect. and rent assistanceAn extra payment for eligible renters that is mentioned in the draft as part of the welfare increases debated around this bill., the bill responded by making the body permanent, requiring its reports to be published before each budget, and the Act took effect after Parliament passed it in December 2023.
Government announces a permanent Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.
The government said it would establish the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. as a statutory bodyAn organisation created by law, which means the committee has a formal legal basis instead of being just an informal advisory group. and in the meantime set it up on an interim basis to advise ahead of each federal budget.
Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee explanatory memorandum ↗Interim committee holds its first meeting
The non-statutoryNot created by law, so the interim committee had no permanent legal status before this bill made it official. interim committee began work, creating the temporary expert-advice arrangement that the later bill would lock into law.
Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee explanatory memorandum ↗Interim committee urges large welfare increases before the budget
The committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s first report was reported as urging about $34 billion in higher payments including JobSeekerA main working-age welfare payment mentioned here as one of the payments the committee’s advice may affect. and rent assistanceAn extra payment for eligible renters that is mentioned in the draft as part of the welfare increases debated around this bill., making its budget advice visible and politically significant.
Australian Financial Review ↗Bill introduced to put the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. on a statutory footing
The government introduced the bill to turn the interim body into an independent statutory committee whose written advice would be published before each budget.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed to the same text, clearing the way for the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s permanent role and publication requirements to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of Parliament. makes the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. a permanent statutory bodyAn organisation created by law, which means the committee has a formal legal basis instead of being just an informal advisory group.
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, formalising the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s annual pre-budget advisory role and future independent reviews of how the law works.
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
Referred to Committee (19/10/2023): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (23/11/2023)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 84 to 51.
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 considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
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
Recorded vote: 29 to 22.
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 considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Third reading agreed to :
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form. The main amendments were: Observed text changed from "The Minister may at any time terminate the appointment of a member of the CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.. " to "(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member of the CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.: (a) for misbehaviour; or (b) if the member…".
Consideration of Senate message
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 bill passed by Parliament into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill might create an expensive advisory body that produces reports without forcing government to act, so it could become a symbolic committee rather than deliver real help to people in poverty. That case was pressed most clearly by the Coalition, while some crossbench and Greens speakers backed the idea only with reservations about independence, transparency and lived-experience representation.
Most criticism focused on design and effectiveness rather than rejecting advice on economic inclusion altogether.
Costly committee with no guaranteed action
Critics said the bill spends public money on a permanent committee even though the government is not required to follow its advice, raising the risk that it becomes an expensive process with little practical effect for people struggling now.
Too much government control and too little accountability
Several critics argued the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. was not independent enough because ministers could shape what it examined, and proposed changes to require a formal written government response were rejected. The worry was that advice could be steered, published, then ignored without clear accountability.
Missing stronger poverty and lived-experience safeguards
Greens and some crossbench critics said the bill did not go far enough because it lacked stronger anti-poverty framing and did not guarantee enough direct representation from people currently experiencing poverty or economic exclusion. They argued that without this, the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. could miss the realities it is meant to address.
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 29 to 22. Support came from Greens, Labor, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, UAP, Nationals, and One Nation.
Passed 84 to 51. 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.
House
Passed 78 to 48. Support came from Labor, Greens, and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
The proposed change was agreed.
Defeated 14 to 64. Support came from Greens, Centre Alliance, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated. The House declined to write a direct poverty-reduction purpose into the bill.
Defeated 10 to 54. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated. The House rejected the proposal to strengthen lived-experience representation and payment arrangements for committee members.
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Defeated 11 to 33. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Labor, UAP, and Nationals.
Defeated. The Senate rejected the call to broaden committee membership to include more people with direct lived experience of poverty and disadvantage.
Defeated 11 to 32. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Labor, UAP, and Nationals.
Defeated. The Senate rejected the package, so the bill kept its original appointment rules and membership structure.
Defeated 9 to 33. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Labor, UAP, and Nationals.
Defeated. The Senate rejected the proposal, so the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. was not given an express poverty-targeting function in the bill.
Defeated 10 to 32. Support came from Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Labor, UAP, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated. The Senate rejected the proposal to create a special allowance arrangement for lived-experience members.
Defeated 8 to 33. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Labor, Jacqui Lambie Network, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated. The package would have strengthened appointment oversight, shifted reporting toward poverty reduction, and created a public interests register.
The Senate agreed on voices to let the Joint MinistersThe Social Services Minister and the Treasurer acting together when the law gives them a shared power over the committee. direct the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. to address specified matters in a report.
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 rejected on voices a proposal that would have required a written government response to the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s report within three months and publication on the department’s website.
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 agreed on voices to let the Joint MinistersThe Social Services Minister and the Treasurer acting together when the law gives them a shared power over the committee. direct the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. to address specified matters in a report.
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 rejected on voices a proposal that would have required a written government response to the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s report within three months and publication on the department’s website.
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 agreed on voices to changes that narrowed when members can be removed, required the Minister and TreasurerThe senior economic minister who works with the Social Services Minister on the committee’s appointments and report directions. to attend one committee meeting each year, and required the report to be published at least 14 days before budget day.
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 agreed on voices to reduce the bill’s periodic review period from five years to three years.
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 rejected on voices a proposal that would have added the eradication of poverty as a required topic in the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support.’s report.
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
Rishworth supports the bill, saying it will permanently establish the Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. as an enduring source of independent expert advice to government.
Read in Hansard ↗Sukkar says the opposition will oppose the bill because it is a costly backroom deal that wastes $8.7 million on a committee the government will ignore.
Read in Hansard ↗Tink supports the bill and wants it passed, saying the new advisory committee could improve economic inclusion and help tackle disadvantage.
Read in Hansard ↗Haines supports the bill and says it will help put evidence into decisions about income support and economic inclusion.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
7 speakers · 8 contributions · 7 support
“But boosting economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage can't be resolved in a single Budget process or indeed, through a single portfolio. It requires sustained commitment over time and across government. This Bill will ensure there is an enduring mechanism for government to benefit from independent, expert advice on ways to support Australians in need, broaden opportunity, and reduce disadvantage in our communities.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This is a bill I champion for these reasons. I want everyone in Australia to achieve their potential and not be trapped by disadvantage but thrive because the Australian government has their back.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill will establish the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee in legislation. Ahead of every federal budget the committee will provide advice to the government on economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage. This is really important information to be under consideration when setting economic plans and levers—the impact on Australians from all walks of life experiencing various types of disadvantage. An interim committee was established in December 2022, which provided advice to the government ahead of the 2023-24 budget. This bill now supports the government's commitment to legislate a permanent role for the committee in 2023.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The advice that government receives will be non-binding. Our government will continue to make the decisions necessary to improve the lives of our citizens, because that's what we've been elected to this place to do. Our responsibility, which we take seriously, is to listen to the community and make the best decisions that the time demands. I'm pleased to support this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Amanda Rishworth on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Rishworth supports the bill, saying it will permanently establish the Economic Inclusion Advisory CommitteeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. as an enduring source of independent expert advice to government. She argues that tackling disadvantage needs ongoing input across government and that the committeeThe permanent expert committee created by this law to advise the government before each federal budget on poverty, disadvantage and income support. will help broaden opportunity and make Australia more inclusive.
“But boosting economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage can't be resolved in a single budget process or indeed, through a single portfolio. It requires sustained commitment over time and across government. This bill will ensure there is an enduring mechanism for government to benefit from independent, expert advice on ways to support Australians in need, broaden opportunity, and reduce disadvantage in our communities.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Rishworth strongly supports the bill and says it creates a permanent mechanism for independent expert advice to help the government support vulnerable Australians, broaden opportunity and reduce disadvantage. She says she is keen for it to pass and commends it to the House.
“I am very keen for this bill to be passed. It is an important contribution to the many significant mechanisms our government has in place to ensure that different perspectives are brought to the table.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“I'm proud today to be speaking on the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Bill 2023 to establish a permanent role for the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as a statutory body. The government is committed to boosting economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage, and this bill will permanently establish a role for this. It will ensure that there is an ongoing mechanism for the provision of independent expert advice to government on matters relating to economic inclusion and disadvantage. This is an issue that is really close to my heart and, honestly, is central to why I am in this place.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Making sure that we can change our system and settings with a view to increasing economic inclusion should be a priority for all of us, all of the time.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 3 contributions · 1 oppose · 1 unclear
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Michael Sukkar on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Sukkar says the opposition will oppose the bill because it was struck as part of a deal with Senator Pocock, costs too much, and creates a committee he says the government will ignore anyway.
“We will be opposing the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Bill 2023.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Sukkar says the opposition will oppose the bill because it is a costly backroom deal that wastes $8.7 million on a committee the government will ignore. He argues the money should be spent on more urgent priorities such as health, mental health or cost-of-living relief instead.
“We will be opposing this bill. We'll be opposing the fruits of this sneaky, backroom, dirty deal between the Labor Party and the senator. We'll be calling on the government to save this $8.7 million. Put this $8.7 million into something better. Put it into the health system. Put it into mental health. Put it into the education system. There are a thousand things you could do with $8.7 million. If I went to my electorate and said, 'What on earth could we do with $8.7 million?' there'd be a list as long as your arm of decent, worthy projects and people to support, including for cost-of-living relief, that everyone in this place would say is absolutely worthy. It would be a worthy use of $8.7 million.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“What we know about this committee that we're talking about legislating right now is that the one thing they've ever done the government agree with.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 1 oppose · 1 mixed · 1 unclear
“It is time to put people first, not the corporations. The big corporations are doing just fine. It is time to end the special treatment, cap prices and make these corporations pay their fair share of profits. All of that is what will drive economic inclusion in this country. If we want to have a fairer society, in a time when corporations are making massive profits and everyone else is doing it tough, and the government has to form a committee to go and get advice to say, 'Can you tell us what the problem is?'—well, people know what is going on: big corporations are robbing everyone blind. You can see it in your power bills. You can see it when you go to the supermarkets. What they expect politicians to do is rein in the big corporations, make them pay their fair share of tax, stop them gouging prices and use that money to make people's lives better and do things like get dental into Medicare.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While the Greens welcome the establishment of the permanent Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, we know that this bill is not up to scratch. That is why I can foreshadow that my colleagues will be seeking to amend the bill in the Senate. We will be using our antipoverty commission framework in our deliberations, and we encourage others in parliament to do so. As the cost of living continues to soar, we must do everything in our power to ensure communities are kept out of poverty and out of financial distress. The permanent Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee presents a real opportunity for change, and the Greens will fight to ensure that this opportunity is not squandered and that we have the best chance at truly eradicating poverty in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“What's this government's response? Raise JobSeeker to above the poverty line, raise the pension, built hundreds of thousands of public homes, crackdown on price gouging? No! It's a new committee! Labor's bill doesn't even include a national definition of poverty, effectively allowing the government to keep its head firmly buried in the sand about the scale of the problem.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“I really, truly hope that, with the passage of this legislation, the government intends to not only establish this committee but also properly consider and act on their advice. To ensure this, I point again to the recommendations made by the Australian Council of Social Service which I believe would strengthen this legislation, and I'd like to advise both the House and the minister that I'll be moving several amendments during consideration in detail on this legislation to try to effect some of those amendments. We can only make our nation greater if we are prepared to listen to each other and move forward when good ideas are presented. I look forward to being a part of that process.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There is much to commend in this bill, and I intend to vote in support of it. I welcome efforts to improve the evidence base for policy, particularly for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I support this bill. I support the work of the committee. I welcome it. For too long, these areas have been fraught with wedge politics for the sake of politics and not for the good of communities. But the proof will be in the pudding whether the government will take up the advice of the committee. So I await budget 2024 to see how much it does.”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 · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
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
Recorded vote: 84 to 51.
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 · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
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 agreed to
Recorded vote: 29 to 22.
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 · Amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
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 bill passed by Parliament into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (23/11/2023)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (19 Oct 2023): Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (23 Nov 2023)
APH bill page notes
