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Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions)

Current status

This bill became law on Apr 8th, 2026.

Policy area

Law, justice & rights

What does this bill do?

ParoleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions for federal offenders and other detainees move from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to the independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..

Why was it introduced?

Federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions currently sit with the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform., not an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General.. The bill moves those decisions into the new boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. process, saves existing paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. orders and lets transitional rulesRules the government can make to deal with existing cases and orders while parole powers move to the new board. shift cases across.

Broader context

Before this reform, federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions under Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914The part of Commonwealth criminal law that sets out federal sentencing, parole, licence and related release rules. sat with the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform., while the government said community safety and integrity were better served by independent, expert decision-making. The bill, introduced by Michelle Rowland MP, carried the practical amendments needed to move existing and future federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. matters into the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. process, and Parliament passed it in 2026 before Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the transition law.

Key criticism

The main criticism was that the bill helps move paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions from an elected Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., which opponents said could weaken ministerial accountabilityThe idea that an elected minister should be politically answerable for decisions made under their authority, including parole decisions affecting public safety. and make unsafe releases harder to politically answer for. Coalition speakers opposed the package on that basis, while also pressing narrower concerns about victims’ role, boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. powers, cost and ministerial override amendments.

Who supported it?

Michelle Rowland MP introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Greens, some crossbench members; opposed by Liberal, Nationals, Centre Alliance, Liberal Party.

Introduced in House 08 Oct 2025
Passed House 26 Nov 2025
Passed Senate 01 Apr 2026 Aye 38 No 21
Became law 08 Apr 2026

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

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

Meaning

What does this bill do?

  1. ParoleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions for federal offenders and other detainees move from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to the independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..

  2. The Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. can make, refuse, amend and revoke paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. or licenceA type of conditional release order used for some federal offenders or detainees, separate from ordinary parole but handled by the same decision-making system on this page. orders, including decisions about breaches and overseas travel requests.

  3. The Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. may delay an initial paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decision or a later reconsiderationA later review of a parole refusal, where the board looks again at whether release should be granted. for up to three months.

  4. If paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. is refused, the Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. can set the next reconsiderationA later review of a parole refusal, where the board looks again at whether release should be granted. more than 12 months later, but not more than 24 months later.

  5. Existing paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. orders are saved, and the government can make transitional rulesRules the government can make to deal with existing cases and orders while parole powers move to the new board. to shift federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions into the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. process.

Show source excerpts
  1. This bill replaces the Attorney-General as the decision-maker for federal offenders, and other detainees, within part 1B of the Crimes Act.
    Minister's second reading speech
  2. The consequential amendments will ensure the board has the key decision-making powers to function effectively and efficiently. This includes the power to make, refuse to make, or amend parole orders for federal offenders, and to deal with other relevant decisions, including release on licence orders, breaches and revocation of parole or licence orders, overseas travel requests, and the ability to amend orders in certain circumstances.
    Minister's second reading speech
  3. defer the initial parole consideration, or a reconsideration, for up to three months
    Minister's second reading speech
  4. if the board refuses parole, set a date for reconsideration that is more than 12 months after the date of refusal, but no more than 24 months
    Minister's second reading speech
  5. 2 Saving of current parole orders
    Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) as-passed bill text

Context

Broader context for this bill

Before this reform, federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions under Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914The part of Commonwealth criminal law that sets out federal sentencing, parole, licence and related release rules. sat with the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform., while the government said community safety and integrity were better served by independent, expert decision-making. The bill, introduced by Michelle Rowland MP, carried the practical amendments needed to move existing and future federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. matters into the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. process, and Parliament passed it in 2026 before Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the transition law.

  1. Before 2025

    Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. holds federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions

    Federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. and licenceA type of conditional release order used for some federal offenders or detainees, separate from ordinary parole but handled by the same decision-making system on this page. decisions for offenders and other detainees under Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914The part of Commonwealth criminal law that sets out federal sentencing, parole, licence and related release rules. were made through the existing ministerial decision-making framework.

    Hansard ↗
  2. 2025-26

    Government funds the Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General.

    The Australian Government committed $28.3 million over four years from 2025-26 and $7.3 million a year ongoing to establish and operate the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..

    Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) explanatory memorandum ↗
  3. 08 Oct 2025

    Michelle Rowland MP introduces the transition bill

    The bill was introduced to make the consequential Crimes ActThe part of Commonwealth criminal law that sets out federal sentencing, parole, licence and related release rules. amendments needed for the Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. to take over federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. and licenceA type of conditional release order used for some federal offenders or detainees, separate from ordinary parole but handled by the same decision-making system on this page. decisions.

    Hansard ↗
  4. 26 Nov 2025

    House passes the bill

    The House of Representatives agreed to the bill at third reading, completing its passage through the originating chamber.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  5. 01 Apr 2026

    Parliament passes the bill

    Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing the parliamentary step needed to shift federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decision-making to the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. model.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗
  6. 08 Apr 2026

    Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. makes the transition law

    Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. turned the bill into an ActA bill that has passed Parliament and received Royal Assent, so it is now law., preserving existing paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. orders and allowing transitional rulesRules the government can make to deal with existing cases and orders while parole powers move to the new board. to move matters into the new boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. process.

    Parliamentary timeline ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 08 Oct 2025

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 08 Oct 2025

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Human Rights review 29 Oct 2025

Considered by scrutiny committee (29/10/2025): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report 6 of 2025

Report 6 of 2025

APH bill page notes
Legal and Constitutional Affairs review 30 Oct 2025

Referred to Committee (30/10/2025): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (19/11/2025)

Report tabled 19 Nov 2025

APH bill page notes
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 25 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Federation Chamber debate 25 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate

Returned from Federation Chamber 26 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Reported from Federation Chamber

House second reading agreed Aye 101 No 41 26 Nov 2025

Recorded vote: 101 to 41.

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

House third reading agreed 26 Nov 2025

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 27 Nov 2025

The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.

Introduced and read a first time

Second reading opened 27 Nov 2025

A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.

Second reading moved

Second reading debate 02 Mar 2026

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 04 Mar 2026

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 05 Mar 2026

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed Aye 38 No 20 01 Apr 2026

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

Senate third reading agreed Aye 38 No 21 01 Apr 2026

Recorded vote: 38 to 21.

The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 01 Apr 2026

Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 08 Apr 2026

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an ActA bill that has passed Parliament and received Royal Assent, so it is now law..

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

The main criticism was that the bill helps move paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions from an elected Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., which opponents said could weaken ministerial accountabilityThe idea that an elected minister should be politically answerable for decisions made under their authority, including parole decisions affecting public safety. and make unsafe releases harder to politically answer for. Coalition speakers opposed the package on that basis, while also pressing narrower concerns about victims’ role, boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. powers, cost and ministerial override amendments.

Criticism was substantial but centred on accountability and safeguards, not the mechanics of transitional drafting alone.

Loss of elected accountability

Opponents argued that final responsibility for federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. should remain with the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. because paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions affect public safety and should be answerable through an elected minister, not delegated to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..

Raised by Michael McCormack, Andrew Wallace, Michaelia Cash, Jessica Collins, Leah Blyth and other Coalition speakers Source ↗

Community safety risk

Coalition speakers said shifting release decisions to the new boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. could lead to unsafe paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions and weaken the government’s direct responsibility for law-and-order outcomes if a released offender reoffended.

Raised by Michael McCormack, Andrew Wallace, Michaelia Cash, Jessica Collins and Leah Blyth Source ↗

Victims may not have enough enforceable rights

Some opponents said the model did not give victims and families a strong enough guaranteed role in paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions, including rights to be consulted, informed or heard before release decisions were made.

Raised by Michaelia Cash, Jessica Collins, Paul Scarr and Slade Brockman Source ↗

Insufficient ministerial oversight and board transparency

Opposition amendments sought to require the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. to notify the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. before granting paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. or a licenceA type of conditional release order used for some federal offenders or detainees, separate from ordinary parole but handled by the same decision-making system on this page. and allow the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to block the decision within 14 days; those amendments were defeated. Paul Scarr also criticised the chair’s powers, including the ability to issue unpublished guidelines.

Raised by Coalition senators, including Paul Scarr Source ↗

Further sources

parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗ parlinfo.aph.gov.au ↗

Votes

Recorded votes

How the bill itself passed

The chamber-passage votes come first. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

Passed

House passed the bill

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.

26 Nov 2025

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.

Carried

Senate passed the bill

Aye 38 No 21

Passed 38 to 21. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, Nationals, Liberal Party, and UAP.

01 Apr 2026

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 23 / 0
Liberal 0 / 17
Greens 10 / 0
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 2 / 0
Nationals 0 / 2
Liberal Party 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1

Earlier bill-stage votes

Carried

Senate cleared second reading

Aye 38 No 20

Passed 38 to 20. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, Nationals, and Liberal Party.

01 Apr 2026

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 23 / 0
Liberal 0 / 16
Greens 10 / 0
One Nation 3 / 0
Nationals 0 / 3
Independent 2 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Carried

House cleared second reading

Aye 101 No 41

Passed 101 to 41. Support came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, Nationals, Centre Alliance, and Liberal Party.

26 Nov 2025

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 89 / 0
Liberal 0 / 24
Nationals 0 / 15
Independent 9 / 0
Unknown 2 / 0
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 0 / 1
Liberal Party 0 / 1

Did not vote: Nationals, LNP

Amendments at a glance

Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.

Senate

Carried

Strengthen board independence

Aye 38 No 21

Passed 38 to 21. Support came from Labor, Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal, Nationals, Liberal Party, and UAP.

01 Apr 2026

This changed the bill's governance arrangements by strengthening the independence of the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 23 / 0
Liberal 0 / 16
Greens 10 / 0
One Nation 3 / 0
Nationals 0 / 3
Independent 2 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated

Give Attorney-General a veto

Aye 25 No 34

Defeated 25 to 34. Support came from Liberal, One Nation, Nationals, and Liberal Party. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and minor parties and independents.

01 Apr 2026

If passed, the amendments would have preserved a ministerial override over paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. and licenceA type of conditional release order used for some federal offenders or detainees, separate from ordinary parole but handled by the same decision-making system on this page. decisions by the new boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General.. Their defeat left those vetoThe proposed power for the Attorney-General to block a parole or licence decision made by the board within a set period. powers out of the bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Liberal 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
One Nation 3 / 0
Nationals 3 / 0
Independent 0 / 2
Liberal Party 1 / 0
UAP 1 / 0
Defeated

Amendments on sheets 3654, 3516 defeated

The Senate Journal records this outcome as defeated on voices.

Defeated on voices

The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.

Hansard record ↗

This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.

Parliamentary debate

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Michelle Rowland

Australian Labor Party • MP 08 Oct 2025

Michelle Rowland supports the bill, saying it will transfer paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. powers from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. and give the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. practical flexibility to make fairer, better-informed decisions.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead opposing voice Opposes

Paul Scarr

Liberal Party • Senator 04 Mar 2026

Paul Scarr opposes the bill because he says moving paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions to an independent boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. would reduce accountability and still fails to give victims enforceable rights to be consulted or informed.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead supporting voice Supports

David Shoebridge

Australian Greens • Senator 04 Mar 2026

Shoebridge says the Greens support the consequential bill as part of creating an independent Commonwealth parole boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., because paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions should be made by an expert independent body rather than politicians or unaccountable officials.

Read in Hansard ↗
Lead voice Supports

Shayne Neumann

Australian Labor Party • MP 25 Nov 2025

Shayne Neumann strongly supports the bill, saying it is long overdue and will help create an independent paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. system based on expert decision-making rather than political involvement.

Read in Hansard ↗

All speeches by bloc

Labor

5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 support

  1. Shayne Neumann ★ Shayne Neumann strongly supports the bill, saying it is long overdue and will help create an independent paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. system based on expert decision-making rather than political involvement.
    “I know how important this is. It is important reform legislation. I think it's one of those things about which the current Attorney-General could say, at the end of her long career, 'I was involved in this process.' It's a good thing. It's a good outcome. I have no qualms and I have no reservations in relation to this. This happens at the state and territory level. It's good practice. It's world's best practice. We should do it. It's long overdue, and I support the bills.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Claire Clutterham Claire Clutterham supports the bill because it makes the legal changes needed to shift federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General..
    “The Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill will operate to amend the Crimes Act to give effect to the Parole Board Bill. One of the most important aspects of schedule 1 to the consequential provisions bill is that those amendments to the Crimes Act facilitate the shift of the decision-making responsibility regarding parole and conditional release from the Attorney-General to the board in a way that ensures that the transfer of parole decision-making functions from the Attorney-General to the new Commonwealth Parole Board occurs seamlessly and does not impact the effective operations of state and territory corrective services or law enforcement agencies. This is in order to align with best-practice approaches in current operations in states, territories and internationally. In this respect, the bill makes a number of changes to parole decision-making, with the specific goal of providing the board with flexibility to ensure that decisions are made effectively and efficiently but still in concert with the critical statutory protections and time frames for offenders to be considered for parole.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Carol Brown Carol Brown supports the bill, saying it is part of an overdue reform to move federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions from ministers to an independent expert boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. so decisions are more consistent, evidence based and focused on community safety.
    “At its heart, this reform is about responsibility. This includes responsibility to victims, who deserve a system that takes their safety seriously and treats their experiences with respect; responsibility to the community, which expects decisions about release from custody to be made carefully and, I'll say it again, independently and, again, on the basis of evidence; and responsibility to the integrity of our institutions, which depends on power being exercised properly, not politically. This is careful reform. It's overdue reform, and it's the right reform. I commend the bill to the Senate.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 04 Mar 2026

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Jana Stewart Jana Stewart supports the paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. legislation, arguing it will create an independent expert body to make federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions and improve community safety, fairness and public confidence.
    “I rise today to speak in support of the Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025. This bill reflects the Albanese Labor government's unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all Australians. It is about strengthening our justice system and building a stronger, fairer and more effective federal parole system, a system where critical decisions are made with the utmost expertise and objectivity and a clear focus on protecting our communities—a system that Australians can have confidence in.”

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 04 Mar 2026

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Michelle Rowland ★ 2 contributions Michelle Rowland supports the bill, saying it will transfer paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. powers from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. and give the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. practical flexibility to make fairer, better-informed decisions.

    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 Australian Labor Party • MP • 08 Oct 2025

    Michelle Rowland supports the bill, saying it will transfer paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. powers from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to the new Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. and give the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. practical flexibility to make fairer, better-informed decisions. She says the changes and transitional rulesRules the government can make to deal with existing cases and orders while parole powers move to the new board. will help the boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. operate effectively while preserving statutory protections for offenders.

    “The bill also includes transitional provisions to ensure the transfer of parole decision-making functions from the Attorney-General to the new Commonwealth Parole Board occurs seamlessly and does not impact the operations of state and territory corrective services or law enforcement agencies. I commend the bill to the House.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

    Second reading speech Australian Labor Party • MP • 25 Nov 2025

    Michelle Rowland supports the bill, saying it will set up the transitional arrangements for an independent Commonwealth Parole BoardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. so expert decision-makers, not ministers, can make risk-informed paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions that improve community safety and rehabilitation outcomes.

    “The establishment of the Commonwealth Parole Board will promote community safety and justice outcomes, as it will ensure these critical decisions are made by independent experts who are best placed to make the robust assessments of risk required to protect the community. I commend the bill to the House.”
    Read this contribution in Hansard ↗

Coalition

7 speakers · 7 oppose

  1. Paul Scarr ★ Paul Scarr opposes the bill because he says moving paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions to an independent boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. would reduce accountability and still fails to give victims enforceable rights to be consulted or informed.
    “That's why, across states and territories all around this country, the rights of victims of crime have been incorporated into legislation so they are enforceable rights. Victims can choose to be kept abreast as to whether or not offenders are going to be released or whether or not they're coming up for parole. They can be given the opportunity to make submissions if offenders are coming up for parole hearings. If victims want to exercise their right to have their views heard by parole boards, those rights are embedded in legislation. That is missing from this legislation. It's missing from the current system. I take Senator Shoebridge's comment in that regard: it's missing from the current system as well. But it's also missing from this legislation, and that's not good enough. If we're going to introduce a reform like this, we should be good enough to be able to consider all aspects of the policy issues relating to parole and make sure, when we go through this process, that the bill that's passed at the end of the process represents best practice in all respects. However, in this respect, there is a gaping hole in relation to the rights of the victims of crime, and that is very, very disappointing.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 04 Mar 2026

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Michael McCormack Michael McCormack says the coalition will oppose the bill because he believes paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions should stay with the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform., not be handed to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. he thinks could make unsafe release decisions.
    “Why we are outsourcing the work of the Attorney-General to a bunch of so-called experts I will never know. And that is why the coalition will be opposing this all the way. Even if I am the only voice speaking against it, I think it's bad policy. I think Labor should go back to the drawing board on this, and I think the Attorney-General should do the job that she was elected to do—'she' at the moment; 'he', maybe, in the future. Who knows? It doesn't matter. We've got a good Attorney-General. She should do her job.”

    National Party • MP • 25 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Andrew Wallace Andrew Wallace says the coalition will oppose the transitional bill because, although it mainly handles the handover to a new paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., it still helps implement a model he says shifts paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. powers from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to an unelected body and weakens accountability and community safety.
    “While the coalition acknowledges the administrative intent of the companion bill, we cannot support the legislation that implements a deeply flawed model. The problem is not the mechanics of transition; it is the fundamental shift in accountability that the main bill represents. The coalition opposes the substantive bill because it removes accountability from the executive and weakens community confidence in the justice system. Under this legislation, if the parole board makes a catastrophic error, if a convicted terrorist, child sex offender or organised crime figure is released and reoffends, the Attorney-General will simply point to the board and say, 'It was their decision.' That, to the coalition, is unacceptable. Public safety is too important to be delegated away.”

    Liberal National Party • MP • 25 Nov 2025

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  4. Leah Blyth Leah Blyth says the Liberal Party will oppose the bill because it takes paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions away from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. and gives them to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., which she argues weakens accountability, adds costly bureaucracy and could put community safety at risk.
    “Everything in this bill will weaken the principle of responsible government, and I think this bill seeks to undermine wider community safety here in Australia. For those reasons, we will not be supporting this bill.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 05 Mar 2026

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  5. Michaelia Cash Michaelia Cash says the coalition will oppose the bill because it shifts federal paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions from the Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. to an unelected boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., which she argues weakens accountability for public safety.
    “The bill does not make Australians safer; it makes ministers safer from scrutiny. It strips accountability from elected government. It creates a bureaucratic shield. It costs tens of millions of dollars, it sidelines victims and it weakens confidence in the justice system. Australians don't want a government that hides behind boards; they want a government that takes responsibility. The Albanese government has yet again failed that test, and for those reasons and so many more the coalition will oppose the bill.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 02 Mar 2026

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  6. Jessica Collins Jessica Collins says the coalition opposes the bill because it takes paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions away from an elected Attorney-GeneralThe federal minister who previously made many federal parole and licence decisions and whose role is reduced by this reform. and hands them to an unaccountable boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., which she argues would weaken public safety and ignore victims.
    “This bill comes from a government focused on making its job easier, not Australians safer. It comes from a government focused on delegating the hard decisions, not making them. It comes from the most secretive Australian government of the last 50 years, from FOIs to ISIS brides. This government is incapable of being transparent with the Australian people. I am proud to stand with the coalition, which opposes this bill as it is currently drafted. Only a Liberal-led coalition government would protect Australians' way of life. It would ensure victims are heard and consulted in these decisions and accept the responsibility of our actions, unlike this Labor government, which is hiding and ducking from every warranted criticism. I do not commend this bill in its current form to the Senate, and I urge all other senators to do the same.”

    Liberal Party • Senator • 04 Mar 2026

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  7. Slade Brockman Brockman opposes the paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. package, including the consequential bill, saying the proposal should be taken back to the drawing boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General. because it leaves victims and their families without a proper role or information in paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions.
    “Yet, even with that learning and experience, for whatever reason, it was decided that that was not going to be a part of this bill. You have victims of serious crimes—Senator Blyth just outlined the kinds of crimes that are covered under federal law and would be covered under a federal independent parole board of the sort outlined in this bill—who carry the burden of those crimes for the rest of their lives. There are families who carry the burden of those crimes for the rest of their lives. Yet, in formulating this bill, the government has taken no account of the very clear and necessary ability for victims' families to be informed as to timing and likely outcomes or to feed into the process and provide their own view on the matter of parole. That, in and of itself, is enough of an oversight to say, 'Back to the drawing board.' That, in and of itself, is enough to say, 'It's time we actually take this off the table, take this back to the drawing board and start to look at it again.'”

    Liberal Party of Australia • Senator • 05 Mar 2026

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Greens

1 speaker · 1 support

  1. David Shoebridge ★ Shoebridge says the Greens support the consequential bill as part of creating an independent Commonwealth parole boardThe new independent body that will take over federal parole and licence decisions from the Attorney-General., because paroleRelease from prison before the end of a sentence, with supervision and conditions that can lead to return to custody if breached. decisions should be made by an expert independent body rather than politicians or unaccountable officials.
    “We want to depoliticise the criminal justice system. We want experts, well qualified and independent, to decide parole, not politicians. And we support the bill.”

    Australian Greens • Senator • 04 Mar 2026

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