This bill became law on Mar 28th, 2024.
Education & skills
The Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s legal role now explicitly includes helping universities attract and keep researchers and support better academic jobs.
A review of the Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. Act found the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s purpose was unclear, its governance was too weak, and funding rules were too rigid. This bill clarifies the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s role, creates a stronger boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. and review process, and lets ministers add major research programs that build national capability.
The Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. had operated under a 2001 law that, by 2023, was seen as no longer clearly stating the agency’s purpose, providing strong enough governance, or giving enough flexibility for nationally significant research programs. After the final report of the Trusting Australia’s Ability review was released on 20 April 2023, the government introduced this bill to rewrite the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s role and boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. arrangements, and Parliament passed it in March 2024 before it received Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament..
The main criticism was that the bill removes too much ministerial control over ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grants and shifts major spending decisions to a boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. critics said would be less directly accountable to parliament and taxpayers. That case was pushed mainly by Coalition speakers, while some crossbench and Greens supporters raised narrower concerns about safeguards, boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. powers or the lack of extra research funding but still backed the bill.
Hon Jason Clare MP introduced this bill. In the latest recorded vote on the bill in the Senate, support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, UAP, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 28 Mar 2024
Final passage
No counted final vote
4 recorded votes on the bill were found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
120 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s legal role now explicitly includes helping universities attract and keep researchers and support better academic jobs.
The Australian Research Council BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. now has to include between 5 and 7 other members, expanding the body that oversees research funding and strategy.
The Minister must make the Australian Research Council BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. reflect the broader community as far as reasonably possible, not just research insiders.
The Australian Research Council BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. must face an independent review starting in the 2026-27 financial year, covering what it does and whether its size and membership are right.
The Minister can add new nationally significant research programs only if satisfied they will build Australia’s research capability, not just hand out individual grants.
(ba) support Australian universities to attract and retain academic researchers and promote quality academic jobs; andAustralian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) as-passed bill text
(c) not fewer than 5, and not more than 7, other members.Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) as-passed bill text
(d) ensure that the membership of the Board reflects the diversity of the general community, to the extent that is reasonably practicable.Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) as-passed bill text
(1) In the financial year beginning on 1 July 2026, the Minister must cause to be conducted an independent review of the following:Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) as-passed bill text
(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify a nationally significant research program for the purposes of paragraph (d) of the definition of designated research program in subsection (1). The Minister must be satisfied that the program will help build research capability.Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) as-passed bill text
Context
The Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. had operated under a 2001 law that, by 2023, was seen as no longer clearly stating the agency’s purpose, providing strong enough governance, or giving enough flexibility for nationally significant research programs. After the final report of the Trusting Australia’s Ability review was released on 20 April 2023, the government introduced this bill to rewrite the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s role and boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. arrangements, and Parliament passed it in March 2024 before it received Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament..
Final review report calls for changes to the ARC ActThe older law this bill amends, which sets the ARC's powers, duties, and governance.
The Trusting Australia’s Ability review found the ARC ActThe older law this bill amends, which sets the ARC's powers, duties, and governance. needed clearer purpose, stronger governance and accountability, and more flexible program settings.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the review response bill
The bill was introduced as the government’s legislative response to the review, with the minister arguing it would better support Australia’s research system.
Australian Parliament House ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed on the final text, including Senate amendments, clearing the way for the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page.’s new boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. and functions to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the changes law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, formally locking in the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. governance changes and the future independent boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. review requirement.
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 (07/12/2023): Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe 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 bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 89 to 50.
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. 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
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 34 to 27.
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.
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form. The main amendments were: The as-passed bill expands the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. membership range, adds a 2026 review of the BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations., changes reporting and funding-rule provisions, and incorporates Senate amendments.
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 passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill removes too much ministerial control over ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grants and shifts major spending decisions to a boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. critics said would be less directly accountable to parliament and taxpayers. That case was pushed mainly by Coalition speakers, while some crossbench and Greens supporters raised narrower concerns about safeguards, boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. powers or the lack of extra research funding but still backed the bill.
Opposition centred on accountability and safeguards, not a broad rejection of public research funding.
Less ministerial accountability for grants
Critics argued the bill takes grant decisions away from the minister and gives too much authority to the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations., making it harder for parliament to hold anyone directly answerable for how public research money is spent.
Weaker checks on whether grants serve the national interest
Opponents said keeping a minister responsible for final decisions is an important safeguard because research funding should be clearly defensible as being in the national interest, especially when large amounts of taxpayer money are involved.
Board model and bill changes still needed tighter safeguards
Supporters with reservations said the bill did not fully settle concerns about conflict-of-interest rules, broad ministerial powers in other areas, boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. diversity, job security and whether the expanded boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. structure was the right fit. Some critics also said extra boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. positions could add cost and divert money from research itself.
The bill does not fix chronic research underfunding
A separate criticism was that governance reform alone does not address the deeper problem of inadequate university and research funding, so the bill leaves the overall funding shortfall largely untouched.
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 89 to 50. Support came from Labor, Greens, Katter's Australian Party, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Passed 34 to 27. 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.
Passed 28 to 11. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Passed 32 to 25. Support came from Labor, Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Passed 82 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.
The House agreed to the Senate amendments, allowing the bill to pass both chambers in the same form.
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 13 to 26. Support came from Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A defeat kept the bill's special rule for designated research programs in place.
Defeated 16 to 23. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A defeat meant the bill did not add a discipline-diversity requirement for BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. membership.
Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, Nationals, and minor parties and independents.
A defeat kept international relations as one of the bill's grounds for ministerial funding decisions.
Defeated 14 to 26. Support came from Greens and Jacqui Lambie Network. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A defeat left the funding rules fully subject to the bill's normal approval and disallowance framework.
Defeated 15 to 24. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and UAP. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A defeat meant the bill did not add the proposed extra disclosure around ministerial approvals.
The Senate agreed on voices to a group of five Australian Greens amendments and one independent amendment.
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 add that the Act should help universities attract and retain academic researchers and promote quality academic jobs.
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 require grant agreements and annual reports to include information about the nature of researchers' employment.
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 require an independent review in 2026 of whether the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations.'s functions, size and membership are appropriate.
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 require the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations.'s membership to reflect the diversity of the general community where reasonably practicable.
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 a change that would have raised the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations.'s upper membership limit from five to seven and adjusted the membership range.
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 narrow designated research programs to nationally significant programs that build research capability.
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 require the BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. or Minister to give the affected organisation a copy of any approval or variation within 21 days.
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 require each researcher on a funded project to declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest to the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page..
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 define designated research programs as strategic programs that build research capability rather than award individual grants.
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 add that the Act should help universities attract and retain academic researchers and promote quality academic jobs.
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 expand the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. membership range from five to seven other members.
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 the rest of Senator Pocock's sheet 2413 package, which would have allowed ministerial committees and changed the CEOThe ARC's day-to-day manager, who runs the agency under the Board's oversight.'s role at BoardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. meetings.
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.
The parliamentary record also shows 5 Australian Greens, 1 Independent amendments agreed without a counted division.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Jason Clare supports the bill, saying it implements the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. review and will strengthen the council's independence, governance and peer-reviewed grants process after years of political interference and ministerial delays.
Read in Hansard ↗Hollie Hughes says the coalition will oppose the bill because it removes ministerial oversight of Australian Research CouncilThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grants and shifts too much taxpayer-funded research funding to the boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. without accountability.
Read in Hansard ↗Faruqi says the Greens will support the bill because it removes ministerial interference from ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grant decisions and gives the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. more independence.
Read in Hansard ↗Ryan supports the bill because it responds to the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. review, strengthens the council's independence, and reduces the scope for political interference in research grants.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
5 speakers · 5 support
“The subject matter in the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023 is very important to me. Indeed, it was in my first speech that I spoke of the importance of academic integrity and freedom, so I'm really delighted to be standing today in support this legislation. As someone who has had an association for quite a long time with the university sector—as a student, as a researcher and academic, and now as a federal representative with multiple campuses in my electorate—I know how significant this legislation is. It's one that I'm interested in and that my community is interested in.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The remaining six recommendations require legislative amendments and they are addressed in this bill which amends the ARC Act.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The role of the ARC is an important one to keep Australia at the forefront of research in scientific, social and industrial knowledge, and it is important that it remains fit for purpose. This bill supports that aim, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill seeks to address the shortcomings which exist within the existing Research Council funding process. The Australian Research Council review's final report was released on 20 April 2023. It has not taken the Albanese Labor government long to act upon its recommendations.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Well, the days of a minister spiking a research project because they didn't like it will end with this bill—a bill that sets up the ARC to spur Australian innovation in the future and catalyse productivity in the years ahead. Once again, I thank senators for their contribution. I commend the bill to the chamber.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 oppose
“Ultimately, this is bad policy and we will be opposing it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition is opposed to this bill because it removes ministerial discretion on grant funding decisions.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The powers of the new ARC board and the lack of effective ministerial oversight of its operations should raise significant concerns in the minds of Australians about accountability and transparency in the allocation of public funds. The absence of ministerial oversight will hinder the government's ability to ensure that research projects align with national priorities and advance our nation and our national interest. The coalition will not be supporting this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Research and development, basic research, is of fundamental importance. Ensuring that we have the best possible system with appropriate checks and balances and appropriate ministerial oversight is absolutely essential. One of the great ironies of this bill that the government has put forward is that the minister has retained the ability to approve grants in other designated programs such as the ARC Centres of Excellence, the Industrial Transformation Training Centres and the Industrial Transformation Research Hubs. This has never adequately been explained to me: why is it good enough to retain that discretion in those areas but not in terms of the ARC grants, particularly when we have on the record examples—Senator O'Sullivan went through some of them, and I mentioned another one—of things that are hard to justify as adding value to the Australian community and there are limited research dollars available?”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Sarah Henderson on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Henderson opposes the bill because she says it strips too much ministerial control over ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grants and hands decisions to an unaccountable boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations.. She argues that parliament should keep a minister accountable for how large research funds are spent, even if most projects have merit.
“The reason the coalition is so concerned about removing ministerial discretion is that the buck stops with the minister and with the government. It's a really important part of our system of responsible government, of parliamentary democracy. Outsourcing these decisions to an unaccountable board is a very, very dangerous step forward.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Henderson opposes the bill because she says it wrongly strips the minister of discretion over ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page. grants and leaves too much public money to an independent boardThe new governing body that will oversee the ARC and hold formal responsibility for its operations. without proper accountability. She argues taxpayers' money should only go to projects that clearly serve the national interest, and she criticises the government for hiding behind a false claim of depoliticising the ARCThe main federal body that funds university research and sets research priorities on this page..
“The Australian Research Council receives more than $1 billion in funding each year, with nearly $900 million distributed through grants. We are talking an incredible amount of money. Taxpayers have a right to know where their money is going, and to expect the government of the day to ensure it is spent on projects which will support the Australian people. That's a key issue here. The government has absolved itself from its responsibility. Hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers money will now be outsourced to a so-called independent board. Where are the safeguards to stop the board going on a frolic of its own? Say there's an application for a research program of $500,000 that involves $400,000 of international travel and accommodation with dubious merit. This weak and pathetic minister now puts himself and the government in the position where he can no longer intervene. That is an absolute disgrace. The taxpayers of this country deserve better than that. The government doesn't even have the temerity to produce the ARC financial sustainability report, which it's also trying to keep secret—another shocking example of this completely appalling government.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 1 support · 1 oppose
“The Greens will be supporting the bill and attempting to improve it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill does not address the urgent issue of chronic underfunding of our research professionals and institutions.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“In response, the Albanese government has produced this bill, the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023, which implements six of the review's 10 recommendations. Legislative reform is not needed to implement the outstanding recommendations. I commend the government for amending the objects of the act and the role and mission of the ARC, with a stronger focus on its impact and purpose. It makes sense to establish a board to ensure the independence and integrity of the ARC and its decision-making processes.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I support this bill and the changes it makes to the ARC structure. It will help set up the ARC for future success and, therefore, Australia's success in scientific research, discovery and innovation. We have a long history, we have amazing technologies that have come out of Australia—the cochlear ear implant, solar panels—but we lost them, so we have to do better when it comes to research, innovation and then transitioning those ideas and those discoveries to being able to actually stay in Australia and benefit Australia. So I commend the government, but I urge them to do more.”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: 89 to 50.
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 · 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: 34 to 27.
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendmentsThe point where the lower house accepted changes made by the Senate, allowing the bill to pass in one final form.
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 passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (05/02/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (7 Dec 2023): Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Committee report (5 Feb 2024)
APH bill page notes
