This bill became law on Apr 8th, 2026.
Law, justice & rights
Creates an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. to make risk-informed decisions about parole and other conditional release arrangements for federal offenders and detained people.
Parole decisions for federal offenders were being made under ministerial arrangements rather than by a dedicated statutory parole body. The bill establishes an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. with expertise, information-sharing powers and procedures for risk-informed decisions about conditional release.
Criticism in the amendment record focused on safeguards and accountability: stronger procedural fairness and legal representation, a requirement that both senior BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. roles be held by lawyers, broader ministerial control over termination, and Attorney-General objection powers for parole grants.
Hon Michelle Rowland MP introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Greens, some crossbench members; opposed by Liberal Party, Nationals, Centre Alliance, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 08 Apr 2026
Final passage
Recorded final vote
1 counted final-passage vote was recorded.
Passage speed
182 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Creates an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. to make risk-informed decisions about parole and other conditional release arrangements for federal offenders and detained people.
Sets up the BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. with a Chair, Deputy Chair and at least three sessional members, with appointment rules aimed at relevant expertise and community representation.
States that the BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. is not subject to direction when performing its functions, while leaving some federal offenderA person dealt with under federal criminal law whose parole and related release arrangements are governed by Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914. matters with the Attorney-General.
Gives authorised officers powers to request, require and disclose parole-related information to support BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. decisions, with limits on sensitive information.
Requires annual public reporting and a review of the parole framework after the BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. has operated for several years.
The Parole Board Bill would establish the Board and provide the framework to support the Board make effective, risk-informed decisions about federal offenders and other detainees, including those who have been found mentally unfit to be tried or acquitted because of mental illness, being released into the community on parole or other conditional release arrangements under Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914.Commonwealth Parole Board explanatory memorandum
The Commonwealth Parole Board consists of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and at least 3 other members (sessional members).Commonwealth Parole Board explanatory memorandum
To reinforce the Board’s independence, the Parole Board Bill explicitly states that the Board is not subject to direction from anyone in performing or exercising its functions or powers.Commonwealth Parole Board explanatory memorandum
Part 4—Information sharing 25 Authorised officers may request or require certain information 26 Authorised officer may disclose Parole Board information to relevant persons 27 Authorised officer must not disclose sensitive Parole Board information other than under section 26Commonwealth Parole Board Bill introduced text
The Minister must cause a review of the operation of the parole framework to be undertaken as soon as practicable after the end of the period of 36 months after the commencement of this Act, and not later than 48 months after that commencement.Commonwealth Parole Board Bill as passed
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 was considered by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in Report 6 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee
APH bill page notesThe bill was referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for report on 19 November 2025.
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
Recorded vote: 101 to 40.
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.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 38 to 20.
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
Recorded vote: 38 to 21.
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.
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 Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
Criticism in the amendment record focused on safeguards and accountability: stronger procedural fairness and legal representation, a requirement that both senior BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. roles be held by lawyers, broader ministerial control over termination, and Attorney-General objection powers for parole grants.
These criticisms are drawn from the circulated amendment sheets and Senate voting record, not from a separate media search.
Procedural fairness and representation
Senator Thorpe’s amendments would have required interviews, procedural fairness and legal representation for federal offenders before the BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people..
Legal qualifications for leaders
A separate Thorpe amendment would have required both the Chair and Deputy Chair to be legal practitioners of at least five years standing.
More ministerial control
Opposition amendments sought broader termination powers for BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people. members and objection powers for the Attorney-General before parole orders or licences were granted.
Votes
The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
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.
Passed 38 to 21. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP.
Earlier bill-stage votes
Passed 38 to 20. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party and Nationals.
Passed 101 to 40. Support came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Passed 93 to 33. Support came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Centre Alliance. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
This settled the bill in the same form in both chambers and cleared the way for final passage.
Senate
Defeated 22 to 35. Support came from Liberal Party, One Nation, and Nationals. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents.
The question was defeated, so the Senate removed the Secretary delegation clause.
Passed 38 to 21. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and UAP.
The Senate agreed to the replacement decision-making rule.
Defeated 25 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate rejected the broader termination power, leaving the bill’s specified termination grounds in place.
Defeated 25 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents.
The Senate rejected ministerial objection powers over the BoardThe statutory body created by the Act to make independent, risk-informed decisions about conditional release and management of federal offenders and other detained people.’s parole and licence decisions.
The Senate defeated amendments that would have required offender interviews, procedural fairness and legal representation.
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 defeated the proposal that both the Chair and Deputy Chair must be experienced legal practitioners.
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
All speeches by bloc
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 unclear
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Michelle Rowland on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗7 speakers · 7 unclear
1 speaker · 1 unclear
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 agreed to
Recorded vote: 101 to 40.
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 debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Recorded vote: 38 to 20.
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
Recorded vote: 38 to 21.
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 Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Considered by scrutiny committee
The bill was considered by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in Report 6 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee (29 Oct 2025): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report 6 of 2025
APH bill page notesSenate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Referred to committee
The bill was referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for report on 19 November 2025.
Referred to Committee (30 Oct 2025): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (19 Nov 2025)
APH bill page notes
