This bill became law on Dec 4th, 2025.
Budget, tax & economy
The Act amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995The Commonwealth law that sets customs-duty rates for goods imported into Australia. This Act amends it to add the Geelong Treaty concession. to support the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty., the Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025.
The bill was introduced so Australia could meet the customs-duty obligations it accepted in the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. with the United Kingdom. The treaty is part of AUKUS Pillar IThe part of the AUKUS partnership focused on helping Australia acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines. and is directed at nuclear-powered submarine cooperation. Article XXI requires Australia and the United Kingdom not to impose customs dutiesA tax charged on some imported goods. This Act sets a free customs-duty rate for qualifying Geelong Treaty goods. and similar charges on treaty-related goods, and the explanatory memorandum says this Act gives that commitment domestic effect by creating a targeted duty-free tariff item for goods for use under the treaty.
The Act is a narrow customs-tariff step inside the wider AUKUS submarine program. The collected record presents the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. as a 50-year Australia-United Kingdom defence cooperation agreement under AUKUS Pillar IThe part of the AUKUS partnership focused on helping Australia acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.. Government and Coalition speakers described the bill as a technical implementation measure that removes customs-duty barriers for treaty goods. The Greens opposed it as part of their broader objection to AUKUS, including concerns about sovereignty, cost, regional diplomacy, nuclear waste and liability.
The main substantive opposition in the collected record came from the Australian Greens. Government and Coalition speakers supported the bill as a technical implementation measure for the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty., but Senator David Shoebridge argued that the bill should be opposed because it advances the wider AUKUS submarine program.
Julian Hill MP introduced this bill. It passed with support from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, some crossbench members; opposed by Greens, Australia's Voice.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 04 Dec 2025
Final passage
Recorded final vote
1 counted final-passage vote was recorded.
Passage speed
35 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The Act amends the Customs Tariff Act 1995The Commonwealth law that sets customs-duty rates for goods imported into Australia. This Act amends it to add the Geelong Treaty concession. to support the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty., the Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025.
It inserts new concessional itemA listed class of goods that can receive a concessional customs-duty rate. New item 58A gives a free rate for goods for use under the Geelong Treaty. 58A into Schedule 4 of the Customs Tariff ActThe Commonwealth law that sets customs-duty rates for goods imported into Australia. This Act amends it to add the Geelong Treaty concession., setting a free rate of customs dutyA tax charged on some imported goods. This Act sets a free customs-duty rate for qualifying Geelong Treaty goods. for goods that are for use under the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty..
The measure implements the customs-duty part of Article XXI of the treaty. The explanatory memorandum says the treaty requires Australia and the United Kingdom not to impose value added taxes, excise, customs dutiesA tax charged on some imported goods. This Act sets a free customs-duty rate for qualifying Geelong Treaty goods. and similar charges on imports and exports of goods connected with the treaty.
The concession is deliberately narrower than a general trade preference: the explanatory memorandum says the words "for use under" are intended to avoid covering imports and exports that have only a vague association with the treaty.
Schedule 1 starts only when both domestic assentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025. and treaty entry into force have occurred: it commences on the later of the day after Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025. and the day the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. enters into force for Australia, and does not commence if the treaty does not enter into force.
The concession applies to goods imported after Schedule 1 starts, and also to earlier imports where the time for working out the rate of import duty had not occurred before commencement. The explanatory memorandum estimates nil revenue implications.
The purpose of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025 ... is to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 ... to implement a waiver on customs duties for goods imported under the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement ... done at Geelong on 26 July 2025.Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) explanatory memorandum
58A Goods that are for use under the Geelong Treaty FreeCustoms Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025 as passed
Article XXI of the Geelong Treaty requires the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia not to impose value added taxes, excise, customs duties, and other similar charges, on imports and exports of goods in connection with the Geelong Treaty.Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) explanatory memorandum
The phrasing ‘for use under’ in this item is deliberate. A good faith interpretation of Article XXI did not intend for all imports and exports that have any vague association with the Geelong Treaty to be duty-free.Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) explanatory memorandum
Schedule 1 The later of: (a) the day after this Act receives the Royal Assent; and (b) the day the ... Agreement ... enters into force for Australia. However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur.Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025 as passed
The benefits provided by the Geelong Treaty, and subsequently the amendments set out in this Bill, are estimated to have nil revenue implications.Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) explanatory memorandum
Context
The Act is a narrow customs-tariff step inside the wider AUKUS submarine program. The collected record presents the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. as a 50-year Australia-United Kingdom defence cooperation agreement under AUKUS Pillar IThe part of the AUKUS partnership focused on helping Australia acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.. Government and Coalition speakers described the bill as a technical implementation measure that removes customs-duty barriers for treaty goods. The Greens opposed it as part of their broader objection to AUKUS, including concerns about sovereignty, cost, regional diplomacy, nuclear waste and liability.
AUKUS submarine partnership begins
Pat Conaghan said the former Coalition government struck the original AUKUS agreement with the United Kingdom and United States in 2021, creating the broader partnership that this bill helps implement.
House of Representatives Hansard ↗Australia and the United Kingdom sign the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty.
The explanatory memorandum identifies the treaty as the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration AgreementThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. between Australia and the United Kingdom, done at Geelong on this date.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces tariff implementation bill
Julian Hill introduced the bill in the House of Representatives to create a free customs-duty rate for goods for use under the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty..
Ministerial second-reading speech ↗Senate debate records support and Greens opposition
Maria Kovacic said the Coalition would support unamended passage, while David Shoebridge said the Greens opposed the bill because of their broader objections to AUKUS and the treaty.
Senate Hansard ↗Senate passes the bill after counted votes
The Senate agreed to the second reading by 27 votes to 11, then passed the bill at third reading by 28 votes to 11, completing parliamentary passage.
Senate divisions and APH progress table ↗Act receives Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025.
APH and Federal Register metadata record Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025. on 4 December 2025. Schedule 1 still depends on treaty entry into force for Australia under the commencement clause.
Federal Register of Legislation and APH progress table ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The 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
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Recorded vote: 27 to 11.
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: 28 to 11.
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 formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main substantive opposition in the collected record came from the Australian Greens. Government and Coalition speakers supported the bill as a technical implementation measure for the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty., but Senator David Shoebridge argued that the bill should be opposed because it advances the wider AUKUS submarine program.
The bill passed the Senate after counted divisions. Labor and Liberal senators voted for the bill in the recorded divisions; Greens senators and Senator Fatima Payman voted against it. The criticisms below are recorded as arguments made in debate, not as findings of fact by this page.
AUKUS sovereignty and regional-strategy concerns
David Shoebridge argued for the Greens that the bill would take Australia further into the AUKUS pathway, deepen reliance on decisions made in Washington and London, and send the wrong signal to countries in the region.
Cost and United Kingdom industrial-capacity concerns
Shoebridge argued that AUKUS would redirect very large public spending away from domestic priorities and said the United Kingdom nuclear submarine industry was unlikely to deliver the capability Australia was relying on.
Nuclear waste and liability concerns
Shoebridge also criticised the treaty arrangements by arguing that Australia would take responsibility for categories of nuclear waste from United Kingdom submarines and waive liability claims connected with submarine transfers.
Further sources
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 28 to 11. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens and Australia's Voice.
Earlier bill-stage votes
Passed 27 to 11. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens and Australia's Voice.
These are votes on the bill itself rather than amendment votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Julian Hill introduced the bill as a way to implement Australia's customs-duty obligations under the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty..
Read in Hansard ↗David Shoebridge said the Greens opposed the bill because they opposed the Geelong TreatyThe Australia-United Kingdom nuclear-powered submarine cooperation agreement signed at Geelong on 26 July 2025. This Act creates a customs-duty concession for goods for use under that treaty. and the wider AUKUS submarine program.
Read in Hansard ↗Tim Wilson supported the bill as a technical but important part of the AUKUS implementation framework.
Read in Hansard ↗Tim Ayres moved the second reading in the Senate and incorporated the government speech.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
4 speakers · 4 support
“The Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025 will amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 to implement a waiver on customs duties.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“That is why today I speak in strong support of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in strong support of this bill, the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill amends schedule 4 to the Customs Tariff Act to insert a new table item, item 58A, which will prescribe a free rate of duty for goods that are for use under the Geelong treaty.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“The flip side is that it's still an important part of the implementation regime associated with the AUKUS submarines project.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The passage of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025 will be supported by the coalition.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will be supporting the unamended passage of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“I rise on behalf of the Greens to indicate we oppose the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025.”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
Recorded vote: 27 to 11.
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
Recorded vote: 28 to 11.
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 formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. This bill received Royal Assent on 4 December 2025., turning the bill into an Act.
