This bill became law on Jul 5th, 2024.
Government & democracy
Australian laws now rename the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. as the Federation Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories., including in funding laws linked to disability care, disasters, roads, drought, housing, medical research, offshore energy and crime proceeds.
COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. ended on 29 May 2020, leaving outdated references to COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law., the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and named ministerial councils across Commonwealth laws. This bill updates those laws to the new intergovernmental bodies and uses broader definitions so future name changes do not require more legislation.
National CabinetThe newer national leaders' meeting that took over from COAG during the COVID-19 period. was established during the COVID-19 pandemic on 13 March 2020. COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. then formally ceased on 29 May 2020 and the National Federation Reform CouncilThe intergovernmental body that replaced part of COAG's old reform role before COAG formally ended. was formed, but many Commonwealth laws still referred to COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law., the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and named ministerial councils. The bill updated those laws to the new intergovernmental bodies, renamed the fund as the Federation Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and used broader definitions so future machinery-of-government name changes would require less legislative cleanup.
The main criticism was not of the policy goal but of the bill’s drafting and implementation risk: critics wanted it checked for unintended consequences or missed references while rewriting many laws after COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law.’s abolition. That concern came from Coalition speakers seeking a Senate inquiryA committee review in the Senate that examines a bill in detail and can recommend changes or further scrutiny. before settling their final position, rather than from broad opposition to the update itself.
Patrick Gorman MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 05 July 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
219 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australian laws now rename the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. as the Federation Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories., including in funding laws linked to disability care, disasters, roads, drought, housing, medical research, offshore energy and crime proceeds.
Australian laws now replace old references to COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. with the First Ministers’ Council, meaning a national leaders’ group that includes the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers.
Laws that rely on joint minister meetings now use a broader definition covering the relevant Commonwealth, state and territory ministers, so future renaming of those groups should not require more legal changes.
Health laws now swap older named bodies for plainer current ones, including replacing the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council with the Health Chief Executives Forum of top federal and state health officials.
Past decisions and unfinished actions by COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. and other old intergovernmental bodies stay legally valid, and the minister can make extra transitional rulesExtra temporary rules the minister can make to help the law change over from old names and bodies to new ones. if needed to finish the changeover.
Omit “COAG Reform Fund” (wherever occurring) and substitute “Federation Reform Fund” in the specified provisions of the Acts listed in this Part.COAG Legislation Amendment Act 2024 final Act text
Substitute the outdated term of “COAG” with the term “First Ministers’ Council”, which is defined flexibly to mean “a body (however described) that consists only of, or that includes, the Prime Minister, the Premiers of each State and the Chief Ministers of the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory”. It is intended that this definition encompass any group that currently comprises, or will in future comprise, First Ministers (such as the current National Cabinet) as well as a group that comprises First Ministers and other representatives (such as the former National Federation Reform Council, which was constituted by both First Ministers and Treasurers of the Commonwealth, and each State and Territory, as well as the President of the Australian Local Government Association).COAG Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
Retain the term “Ministerial Council”, but change the definition to mean a body (however described) that consists of the Minister of the Commonwealth, and the Minister of each State and Territory, who is responsible, or principally responsible, for matters relating to a particular portfolio issue. This broad definition is intended to enhance flexibility with any future changes to the title of an intergovernmental ministerial group so legislative changes to update titles are avoided.COAG Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
Item 32 substitutes outdated references to “the Ministerial Conference” and “Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council”, with references to “the Ministerial Council” and “Health Chief Executives Forum” respectively.COAG Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
Item 107 provides flexibility for the Minister to make rules to deal with any transitional matters in relation to this Act that may arise.COAG Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum
Context
National CabinetThe newer national leaders' meeting that took over from COAG during the COVID-19 period. was established during the COVID-19 pandemic on 13 March 2020. COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. then formally ceased on 29 May 2020 and the National Federation Reform CouncilThe intergovernmental body that replaced part of COAG's old reform role before COAG formally ended. was formed, but many Commonwealth laws still referred to COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law., the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and named ministerial councils. The bill updated those laws to the new intergovernmental bodies, renamed the fund as the Federation Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and used broader definitions so future machinery-of-government name changes would require less legislative cleanup.
National CabinetThe newer national leaders' meeting that took over from COAG during the COVID-19 period. established for COVID-19 response
Hansard records that National CabinetThe newer national leaders' meeting that took over from COAG during the COVID-19 period. was established on 13 March 2020 as part of Australia’s COVID-19 response, beginning the shift toward new federal-state coordination arrangements.
Hansard ↗COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. ceases and reform council is formed
Official committee material records that COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. ceased and the National Federation Reform CouncilThe intergovernmental body that replaced part of COAG's old reform role before COAG formally ended. was formed on 29 May 2020, leaving outdated COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references in Commonwealth laws.
COAG Legislation Amendment explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces bill to update outdated COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references
The bill was introduced with a second reading speech saying it would reflect COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law.’s cessation by renaming the COAG Reform FundThe new name for the old COAG Reform Fund, used in funding laws that channel Commonwealth money to states and territories. and updating legislation to the new federal-state architecture.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the statutory renaming and reference changes across multiple Commonwealth acts.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Bill receives Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law.
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law. turned the bill into an Act, locking in the shift from COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law.-era names and definitions to the newer intergovernmental terminology.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (08/02/2024): Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Committee report (14/03/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not of the policy goal but of the bill’s drafting and implementation risk: critics wanted it checked for unintended consequences or missed references while rewriting many laws after COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law.’s abolition. That concern came from Coalition speakers seeking a Senate inquiryA committee review in the Senate that examines a bill in detail and can recommend changes or further scrutiny. before settling their final position, rather than from broad opposition to the update itself.
No broader public case against the bill is recorded beyond review and drafting concerns.
Risk of missed or unintended legal changes
Coalition speakers said the bill looked like a housekeeping measure but still needed committee scrutiny because updating many old COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references across different laws could miss provisions or create unintended consequences.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for 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.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Gorman supports the bill, saying it updates outdated COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references to match the post-COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. federal-state arrangements and avoid future legislative cleanup.
Read in Hansard ↗Stevens says the opposition will let the bill pass the House, but wants it sent to a Senate inquiryA committee review in the Senate that examines a bill in detail and can recommend changes or further scrutiny. to examine some parts and says future changes may depend on that review.
Read in Hansard ↗McAllister supports the bill, saying it updates outdated COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references and the federal-state machinery to fit the post-COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. system.
Read in Hansard ↗Bell says the coalition sees the bill as a housekeeping update to replace COAGThe old national forum of the Prime Minister, state premiers and territory chief ministers that this bill removes from Commonwealth law. references, but will not decide its final position until after a Senate committee inquiry.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
3 speakers · 3 support
“Therefore, the COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 is an important step to update outdated references.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill backs the federation and ensures we are best placed to meet our shared challenges for the future.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Therefore, the COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 is an important step to update these outdated references.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 2 support · 1 mixed
“With those comments, I just reconfirm the position of the opposition. We're looking for this to go to a Senate inquiry to reflect on some elements of the bill. We have no issue with it passing through this chamber and may not, depending on the outcome of a Senate inquiry, have any issues or any changes to suggest. With that, I commend the second reading to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 extracts schedules 1 and 2 of the coalition's COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 but includes additional updates that aim to make the legislation fit for purpose by updating other bills that have been passed since the introduction of the coalition's bill. To ensure that this bill has no unintended consequences and that no items of legislation have been missed, the coalition will seek to refer the COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry. Subject to the report of the Senate committee, the coalition will then consider its final position on the bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As such, the coalition will provide passage for this bill to update legislation to reflect the cessation of the Council of Australian Governments and the continuation of the National Cabinet.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading 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-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of law., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Committee report (14/03/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (8 Feb 2024): Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Committee report (14 Mar 2024)
APH bill page notes
