This bill became law on Dec 10th, 2024.
Government & democracy
Australian law now replaces many old references to the Queen, King or Her MajestyThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. with the gender-neutral term "the SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws." across a wide range of federal laws.
King Charles III’s accession left Commonwealth laws with outdated references to Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. and inconsistent titles like Queen’s Counsel and King’s Counsel. The bill replaces those terms with "the SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.", updates oath wording for the current monarch, and treats Senior CounselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. as covering both titles.
Commonwealth law already had a default rule that old references to Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. were read as references to the current monarch, but many Acts still explicitly named the Queen, used mixed Queen’s Counsel and King’s Counsel titles, and fixed oaths to the late sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.. After Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign.’s death in 2022 and King Charles III’s accession exposed those outdated references, the bill was introduced in October 2023 to modernise the statute book, then passed in late 2024 and took effect after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law. in December 2024.
The main criticism was that the bill was mostly symbolic housekeeping and should not proceed without first confirming proper consultationIn this page, it means checking with the Governor-General before changing Crown-related wording in law, which opponents said had not been clearly shown. with the Governor-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law. about changing Crown references. That case was raised mainly by Coalition speakers, with Michelle Landry stopping short of a final position until consultationIn this page, it means checking with the Governor-General before changing Crown-related wording in law, which opponents said had not been clearly shown. was clarified and Julian Leeser opposing the bill on that basis.
Hon Patrick Gorman MP introduced this bill. In the recorded House second-reading vote, support came from Labor, Greens, Katter's Australian Party, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 10 Dec 2024
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
419 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australian law now replaces many old references to the Queen, King or Her MajestyThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. with the gender-neutral term "the SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws." across a wide range of federal laws.
Federal laws now treat Senior CounselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. as including both King's CounselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. and Queen's CounselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two., reducing confusion when different legal titles appear in legislation.
Oaths for federal judges, tribunal members, prosecutors, territory officials and veterans board members now use the current SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.'s name and pronouns instead of naming Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign..
National workplace law now refers to a public holiday for the SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.'s birthday rather than the Queen's Birthday holiday.
Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.Crown References Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
Senior Counsel includes:Crown References Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
To further ensure the Bill caters for the future accession of a new Sovereign, the Bill provides flexibility for oaths and affirmations. The wording of oaths and affirmations is usually prescribed in legislation where an oath-taker or affirmer makes a pledge to the Sovereign of the day. Instead of prescribing “His” or “Her” Majesty in an oath or affirmation, there is a direction to “insert applicable pronoun”. It has been Commonwealth drafting practice since the early 1980’s for statutory provisions to be drafted so as to avoid the use of gender-specific language.Crown References Amendment explanatory memorandum
Omit “Queen’s birthday holiday”, substitute “holiday for the birthday of the Sovereign”.Crown References Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
Context
Commonwealth law already had a default rule that old references to Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. were read as references to the current monarch, but many Acts still explicitly named the Queen, used mixed Queen’s Counsel and King’s Counsel titles, and fixed oaths to the late sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.. After Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign.’s death in 2022 and King Charles III’s accession exposed those outdated references, the bill was introduced in October 2023 to modernise the statute book, then passed in late 2024 and took effect after Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law. in December 2024.
Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. dies and King Charles III accedes
The change of monarch exposed that many Commonwealth laws and oaths still named Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. even though existing interpretation law treated those references as applying to the new sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws..
Hansard ↗Government introduces the bill to update Crown references
The bill was introduced to replace outdated Queen and King references with “the SovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.”, update oath wording for the current monarch, and make Senior CounselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. cover both Queen’s Counsel and King’s Counsel.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the changes to Crown references, legal titles and oath wording to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law. makes the changes law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law. turned the bill into an Act, locking in updated federal wording that now refers more consistently to the sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws. rather than Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign..
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.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 85 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 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 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-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law. gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill was mostly symbolic housekeeping and should not proceed without first confirming proper consultationIn this page, it means checking with the Governor-General before changing Crown-related wording in law, which opponents said had not been clearly shown. with the Governor-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law. about changing Crown references. That case was raised mainly by Coalition speakers, with Michelle Landry stopping short of a final position until consultationIn this page, it means checking with the Governor-General before changing Crown-related wording in law, which opponents said had not been clearly shown. was clarified and Julian Leeser opposing the bill on that basis.
Criticism was limited and focused on consultationIn this page, it means checking with the Governor-General before changing Crown-related wording in law, which opponents said had not been clearly shown. and priority, not on major legal harm from the bill itself.
Consultation with the Governor-General
Critics argued the government should not change Crown references in federal law before making clear that it had consulted the Governor-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law., given the constitutional significance of the Crown.
Low-priority semantic change
Critics said the bill was largely semantic tidying and not a priority while households were under cost-of-living pressure, arguing parliament should focus on measures with clearer practical benefits.
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.
SenateThe upper house of Parliament, where several amendments and the final passage of the bill are described. 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 85 to 51. Support came from Labor, Greens, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals.
Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Senate
Defeated 12 to 29. Support came from Greens and Australia's Voice. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
The SenateThe upper house of Parliament, where several amendments and the final passage of the bill are described. rejected the proposed second-reading statement by 12 votes to 29, so the bill advanced without those added calls for republican and First Nations justice action.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Gorman supports the bill and says it updates references to the sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws. and senior counselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. across the legal system so the law matches current Commonwealth practice.
Read in Hansard ↗Leeser says the coalition will oppose the bill, arguing it is unnecessary and should not proceed because the government had not consulted the Governor-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law. before trying to change the Crown references.
Read in Hansard ↗Graham Perrett supports the bill because it updates old references to the monarch so the law stays consistent, but he says it is regrettable that Australia still needs such legislation and argues it points to the case for a republicA system where Australia would have an Australian head of state instead of the monarchy, which some speakers linked to this bill..
Read in Hansard ↗Brown supports the bill, saying it updates legislation to reflect King Charles III and keeps Crown and senior counselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. references consistent with current Commonwealth practice.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
3 speakers · 4 contributions · 3 support
“It saddens me that this bill is still necessary in a modern democratic society like Australia, but as a tool of updating references to the sovereign, I commend the bill to the House. In doing so, I recognise the growth of our country and the willingness that many have to stand on our own two feet in international politics, with our own identity, our own connections with the world to lead on so many things, as we have in the past. I look forward to a future where legislation such as this will no longer be necessary because we no longer have a foreign sovereign to reference, and instead have an Australian head of state.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Patrick Gorman on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Gorman supports the bill and says it updates references to the sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws. and senior counselA senior legal title that the bill says also covers both Queen's Counsel and King's Counsel, so the law uses one label instead of two. across the legal system so the law matches current Commonwealth practice. He presents it as a sensible housekeeping change and commends it to the HouseThe lower house of Parliament, where government speakers supported the bill before it went to the Senate..
“These changes reflect the end of the second Elizabethan age and the beginning of a new age, a future which we as a nation will now share with our new King. I commend the bill.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Gorman supports the bill, saying it updates Commonwealth laws to replace references to Queen Elizabeth IIThe late monarch named in older laws and oaths, which the bill replaces with references to the current Sovereign. and recognise King Charles III as the new sovereignOn this page, this is the neutral legal word used instead of Queen, King, Her Majesty, or His Majesty in many federal laws.. He presents it as a necessary update to the Australian legislative framework after the Queen's death.
“In conclusion, this updates a range of legislation that references Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in various acts of legislation to reflect the accession of a new sovereign. It is with this legislation that the parliament recognises His Majesty King Charles III as the new sovereign and that we pass this legislation to ensure that we bring important updates to references to the sovereign throughout the Australian legislative framework. These changes reflect the end of the second Elizabethan age and the beginning of a new age with our new king, His Majesty King Charles III.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The Bill ensures consistency of references to the Sovereign across Australia's legislative framework.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 1 oppose · 1 mixed
“I do commend some aspects of this, but the coalition's position—I will repeat it again—is that when it asked the government if it had consulted the Governor-General on this bill, the coalition was advised that the Prime Minister and the cabinet had no intention of consulting the Governor-General until the bill had reached its royal assent stage. The government wanted to pass the Crown References Amendment Bill without even speaking to the King's representative, the Governor-General. The Prime Minister wanted to pass the Crown References Amendment Bill before speaking to the Crown and, therefore, because of the disrespect to the Crown, the coalition will not be supporting this bill until we have assurances that the government has consulted with the Crown's representative in Australia, the Governor-General.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“However, it is important for the coalition that we seek assurances that the government has consulted with the crown's representative in Australia, the Governor-General, before we can take a formal position.”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 · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from 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
Recorded vote: 85 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 · 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
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-GeneralThe King's representative in Australia, whose consultation was raised by critics as an issue before changing Crown references in federal law. gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act, after which the changes become law., turning the bill into an Act.
