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Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition)

Current status

This bill became law on Dec 1st, 2025.

Policy area

Climate, energy & environment

What does this bill do?

The bill imposes four charges connected with the wider EPBC reform package: a restoration contribution chargeA charge that may be imposed when an EPBC approval condition requires payment for residual significant environmental impacts., a bioregional plan registration chargeA charge imposed when a priority action is registered under a bioregional plan, unless regulations exempt the person or class of persons., a national interest exemptionAn exemption under the reformed EPBC Act for an action treated as being in the national interest. This bill imposes a charge when such an exemption is granted. charge and a Part 13 exemptionAn exemption under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. This bill imposes a separate charge when that kind of exemption is granted. charge.

Why was it introduced?

The bill was introduced as a companion to the wider Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025. The reform package created new restoration-contribution and bioregional planning mechanisms under the EPBC ActThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Australia's main national environment law. This bill adds separate charge-imposition machinery linked to reforms of that Act., but the explanatory memorandum says a separate Act was needed because section 55 of the Constitution requires taxation measures to be dealt with separately. This bill therefore supplies the legal machinery for imposing the restoration-related charges, while leaving the charge amounts to regulations.

Broader context

This bill is one of seven bills in the 2025 national environment law reform package. Its role is narrower than the main reform bill: it creates the separate taxation authority for restoration-related charges that support the new EPBC offset and bioregional planning framework. Debate on the bill therefore tracked the larger fight over the package: supporters argued the package would modernise environmental approvals and fund better restoration, while critics questioned the speed of passage, the detail of the broader standards and the integrity of payment-based offsets.

Key criticism

Criticism focused less on the mechanics of this separate charge bill and more on the wider EPBC package it supported. Coalition and crossbench speakers objected to the speed of passage and the amount of material being handled before the Senate inquiry reported. Some critics argued the package would add uncertainty and red tape for industry, while crossbench and Greens speakers raised concerns about offset integrity, climate treatment and whether payment into a restoration fund could substitute too easily for direct protection or restoration.

Who supported it?

Introduced in the House by Tony Burke for the Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt introduced this bill. In the House final vote, support came from Labor, some crossbench members; opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Katter's Australian Party, some crossbench members.

Introduced in House 30 Oct 2025
Passed House 06 Nov 2025 Aye 88 No 42
Passed Senate 27 Nov 2025 Aye 32 No 20
Became law 01 Dec 2025

Did it become law?

Yes

Became law 01 Dec 2025

Final passage

Recorded final vote

3 counted final-passage votes were recorded.

Passage speed

32 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. The bill imposes four charges connected with the wider EPBC reform package: a restoration contribution chargeA charge that may be imposed when an EPBC approval condition requires payment for residual significant environmental impacts., a bioregional plan registration chargeA charge imposed when a priority action is registered under a bioregional plan, unless regulations exempt the person or class of persons., a national interest exemptionAn exemption under the reformed EPBC Act for an action treated as being in the national interest. This bill imposes a charge when such an exemption is granted. charge and a Part 13 exemptionAn exemption under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. This bill imposes a separate charge when that kind of exemption is granted. charge.

  2. A restoration contribution chargeA charge that may be imposed when an EPBC approval condition requires payment for residual significant environmental impacts. can apply when an EPBC approval condition requires payment for the residual significant impacts of an approved action or class of actions.

  3. A bioregional plan registration chargeA charge imposed when a priority action is registered under a bioregional plan, unless regulations exempt the person or class of persons. applies to registration of a priority actionAn action covered by a bioregional plan that can be registered under the reformed EPBC framework. under a bioregional plan, with regulations able to exempt people or classes of people from paying it.

  4. National interest exemptionAn exemption under the reformed EPBC Act for an action treated as being in the national interest. This bill imposes a charge when such an exemption is granted. and Part 13 exemptionAn exemption under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. This bill imposes a separate charge when that kind of exemption is granted. charges are payable by the person to whom the relevant exemption applies, unless regulations create an exemption from payment.

  5. The Act itself does not set charge amounts. Regulations will set a flat amount or calculation method, and those regulations must be independently reviewed after two years and then every five years.

Show source excerpts
  1. The Restoration Charge Imposition Bill would impose the following charges... the restoration contribution charge; the bioregional plan registration charge; the national interest exemption charge; the Part 13 exemption charge.
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) explanatory memorandum
  2. Charge (restoration contribution charge) is imposed on the grant of an approval... if a condition of the approval requires the payment of restoration contribution charge in relation to a residual significant impact.
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025
  3. Charge (bioregional plan registration charge) is imposed on the registration of a priority action... Bioregional plan registration charge is not payable by a person, or a person included in a class of persons, prescribed by the regulations.
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025
  4. National interest exemption charge imposed on the grant of a national interest exemption is payable by the person to whom the national interest exemption applies... Charge imposed... is not payable by a person... prescribed by the regulations.
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025
  5. The Restoration Charge Imposition Bill would not set the amount... Instead, the regulations would set the amount... The first review must commence as soon as practicable 24 months after the commencement of the Act, with subsequent reviews commencing... 5 years after.
    Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) explanatory memorandum

Context

Broader context for this bill

This bill is one of seven bills in the 2025 national environment law reform package. Its role is narrower than the main reform bill: it creates the separate taxation authority for restoration-related charges that support the new EPBC offset and bioregional planning framework. Debate on the bill therefore tracked the larger fight over the package: supporters argued the package would modernise environmental approvals and fund better restoration, while critics questioned the speed of passage, the detail of the broader standards and the integrity of payment-based offsets.

  1. 2020

    Samuel review frames the reform agenda

    Senate debate described the package as implementing recommendations from Professor Graeme Samuel's review of the EPBC ActThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Australia's main national environment law. This bill adds separate charge-imposition machinery linked to reforms of that Act., including national environmental standards and changes to regional forest agreement treatment.

    Senate Hansard ↗
  2. 30 Oct 2025

    Restoration charge bill introduced

    Tony Burke introduced the bill in the House, saying it would impose restoration, bioregional plan registration and exemption-related charges connected with the EPBC reform bill.

    House second reading speech ↗
  3. 30 Oct 2025

    Senate committee inquiry begins

    The APH notes record referral of the bill package to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, with a report date of 2 April 2026. Critics later objected to the bills being passed before that report.

    APH bill page notes ↗
  4. 06 Nov 2025

    House rejects restoration-offset amendment

    The House defeated Kate Chaney's amendment after the government argued the restoration contribution model needed flexibility to pool funds and deliver larger strategic restoration actions.

    House Hansard division ↗
  5. 27 Nov 2025

    Senate deals with the package together

    The Senate considered the main reform bill and six related bills together, including this charge bill, and divided on second-reading statements, committee amendments and remaining stages.

    Senate Hansard ↗
  6. 01 Dec 2025

    Bill receives Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act.

    The bill became the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Act 2025, Act No. 67 of 2025.

    Federal Register of Legislation metadata ↗
  7. 02 Dec 2025

    First commencement provisions start

    Sections 1 and 2 commenced the day after Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act.; sections 3 to 18 commence by proclamation, or automatically 12 months after assentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. if not proclaimed earlier.

    Act commencement table ↗

Legislative route

How did it move through Parliament?

House Senate
Introduced 30 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 30 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

Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (02/04/2026) review 30 Oct 2025

The bill was referred to Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (02/04/2026).

Referred to committee

APH bill page notes
Second reading debate 04 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 05 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Second reading debate 06 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

House second reading agreed Aye 90 No 44 06 Nov 2025

Recorded vote: 90 to 44.

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

Consideration in detail 06 Nov 2025

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

House third reading agreed Aye 88 No 42 06 Nov 2025

Recorded vote: 88 to 42.

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

Third reading agreed to

Introduced 24 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 24 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 27 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate second reading agreed 27 Nov 2025

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

Committee of the Whole debate 27 Nov 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Senate third reading agreed Aye 32 No 20 27 Nov 2025

Recorded vote: 32 to 20.

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

Third reading agreed to

Passed both houses 27 Nov 2025

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

Finally passed both Houses

Assent 01 Dec 2025

The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.

Key criticism

The main case against this bill

Criticism focused less on the mechanics of this separate charge bill and more on the wider EPBC package it supported. Coalition and crossbench speakers objected to the speed of passage and the amount of material being handled before the Senate inquiry reported. Some critics argued the package would add uncertainty and red tape for industry, while crossbench and Greens speakers raised concerns about offset integrity, climate treatment and whether payment into a restoration fund could substitute too easily for direct protection or restoration.

Government speakers argued the charge and restoration contribution model would help deliver larger, strategic restoration actions and that charge details would be consulted on before imposition.

Rushed process

Kate Chaney and other crossbench speakers argued the government should wait for the Senate inquiry and allow more time to examine the reform package before passage.

Raised by Kate Chaney and other crossbench MPs Source ↗

Business and regional uncertainty

Coalition speakers argued the broader package could add complexity, slow approvals and damage resource, farming and forestry industries.

Raised by Coalition speakers Source ↗

Offset integrity

Crossbench critics questioned whether restoration contribution payments could let project proponents rely on payment-based offsets where direct, like-for-like restoration would be more appropriate.

Raised by Kate Chaney, Sophie Scamps and David Pocock Source ↗

Further sources

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.

Carried

House passed the bill

Aye 88 No 42

Passed 88 to 42. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 84 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 22
Nationals 0 / 13
Independent 1 / 4
Unknown 3 / 2
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Carried

House passed the bill

Aye 88 No 38

Passed 88 to 38. Support came from Labor, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 81 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 21
Nationals 0 / 11
Independent 3 / 5
Unknown 3 / 0
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 1 / 0
Carried

Senate passed the bill

Aye 32 No 20

Passed 32 to 20. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Nov 2025

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 19 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Greens 10 / 0
Independent 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
Unknown 1 / 0

Earlier bill-stage votes

Carried

House cleared second reading

Aye 89 No 40

Passed 89 to 40. Support came from Labor and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 81 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 22
Nationals 0 / 11
Independent 4 / 4
Unknown 3 / 2
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 1 / 0

Amendments at a glance

Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.

House

Defeated

Call to fix offset loopholes

Aye 7 No 65

Defeated 7 to 65. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This was a position-taking vote before the House accepted the main reform bill in principle.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 62
Independent 5 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Defeated

Limit exemption and offset powers

Aye 9 No 65

Defeated 9 to 65. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

Had it passed, this crossbench package would have narrowed parts of the main reform bill's exemption and offset machinery.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 61
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Defeated

Broaden native species protections

Aye 8 No 59

Defeated 8 to 59. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This was a detailed-stage vote on whether to broaden the bill's protection concepts.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 57
Independent 6 / 0
Unknown 1 / 2
Greens 1 / 0
Defeated

Tighten forests and standards rules

Aye 9 No 59

Defeated 9 to 59. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

The amendments would have made the main reform bill stricter on several environmental safeguards.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 54
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Nationals 0 / 1
Defeated

Add local environment protections

Aye 9 No 55

Defeated 9 to 55. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This tested whether the Commonwealth bill should reach further into local environmental matters.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 52
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Defeated

Add climate tests to approvals

Aye 9 No 62

Defeated 9 to 62. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

Had it passed, climate considerations would have had a larger direct role in EPBC decisions.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 58
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Defeated

Add climate tests and slower transition

Aye 9 No 60

Defeated 9 to 60. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

The vote kept the government's commencement and climate-disclosure approach.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 56
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Defeated

Protect farms, water and consultation

Aye 9 No 62

Defeated 9 to 62. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

The package would have added more consultation and land-use safeguards to the main reform bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 58
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Defeated

Add climate and enforcement safeguards

Aye 9 No 59

Defeated 9 to 59. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This was another detailed-stage vote on stronger climate and accountability safeguards.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 55
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Carried

House agreed main bill details

Aye 88 No 45

Passed 88 to 45. Support came from Labor. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This allowed the main reform bill to proceed toward third reading.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 83 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 22
Nationals 0 / 13
Independent 2 / 6
Unknown 3 / 2
Greens 0 / 1
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Carried

End House third-reading debate

Aye 90 No 43

Passed 90 to 43. Support came from Labor and Centre Alliance. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, Greens, and Katter's Australian Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This procedural vote brought the House debate on that stage to a close.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 84 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 22
Nationals 0 / 13
Independent 2 / 4
Unknown 3 / 2
Greens 0 / 1
Centre Alliance 1 / 0
Katter's Australian Party 0 / 1
Defeated

Limit payment-based restoration offsets

Aye 10 No 76

Defeated 10 to 76. Support came from Greens, Centre Alliance, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

06 Nov 2025

This was the key recorded House amendment vote directly on the restoration charge bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 72
Independent 7 / 0
Unknown 1 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Centre Alliance 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1

Senate

Defeated

Call for First Nations consent standard

Aye 13 No 35

Defeated 13 to 35. Support came from Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and Nationals.

27 Nov 2025

This was a position-taking vote on First Nations consultation before the Senate accepted the bills in principle.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 26
Greens 10 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 4
One Nation 0 / 3
Independent 2 / 0
Nationals 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Defeated

Question rushed Senate process

Aye 4 No 44

Defeated 4 to 44. Support came from Australia's Voice and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, and One Nation.

27 Nov 2025

This was a split vote on a second-reading statement about the process for the package.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 26
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 0 / 4
One Nation 0 / 3
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Refer bills to Senate inquiry

Aye 27 No 33

Defeated 27 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Greens.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, the paragraph would have added a committee-referral statement to the second-reading motion.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 23
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Nationals 3 / 0
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Criticise undefined standards and offsets

Aye 3 No 39

Defeated 3 to 39. Support came from One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.

27 Nov 2025

This was a position-taking vote on objections to the package, excluding the separate request to delay debate.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 0 / 3
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 0 / 1
Defeated

Delay debate until March 2026

Aye 26 No 33

Defeated 26 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, debate on the package would have been delayed.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Nationals 3 / 0
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Unknown 1 / 0
Carried

Senate backed second reading

Aye 35 No 24

Passed 35 to 24. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Nov 2025

This accepted the package, including this bill, in principle.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 22 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Greens 10 / 0
Nationals 0 / 3
One Nation 0 / 3
Independent 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Narrow likely-impact tests

Aye 19 No 34

Defeated 19 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, the main reform bill's impact tests would have been narrower.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Unknown 0 / 1
Carried

Keep nuclear exclusion clauses

Aye 34 No 19

Passed 34 to 19. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation.

27 Nov 2025

This kept those parts of the main reform bill instead of adopting the opposition deletion.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 20 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Greens 10 / 0
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Allow nuclear projects under EPBC

Aye 20 No 33

Defeated 20 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, the main reform bill would have removed several existing federal nuclear prohibitions.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Unknown 0 / 1
Defeated

Block water-trigger accreditation

Aye 19 No 33

Defeated 19 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.

27 Nov 2025

This vote kept the contested water-trigger accreditation provisions in the main reform bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Defeated

Limit fossil fuel fast tracking

Aye 19 No 33

Defeated 19 to 33. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.

27 Nov 2025

This vote rejected part of the Greens package to constrain streamlined assessment pathways.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Carried

Strengthen environmental standards test

Aye 33 No 19

Passed 33 to 19. Support came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation.

27 Nov 2025

These amendments strengthened the standards-consistency language in the main reform bill.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 20 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 17
Greens 10 / 0
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
One Nation 0 / 1
Defeated

Add duty to consider children

Aye 4 No 35

Defeated 4 to 35. Support came from Australia's Voice and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, and One Nation.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, some administrative decisions likely to contribute to climate change would have needed to consider children's health and wellbeing.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 0 / 4
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
One Nation 0 / 1
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Restrict restoration fund offsets

Aye 5 No 35

Defeated 5 to 35. Support came from Australia's Voice, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, and Liberal Party.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, payment into the restoration fund would have been more tightly limited for some protected matters.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 0 / 5
Independent 2 / 0
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Unknown 1 / 0
Defeated

Require approval for large renewables

Aye 19 No 34

Defeated 19 to 34. Support came from Liberal Party, Nationals, and One Nation. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, large-scale wind and solar projects would have faced a new local-environment approval trigger.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Unknown 0 / 1
Defeated

Increase NEPA review oversight

Aye 22 No 31

Defeated 22 to 31. Support came from Liberal Party, Australia's Voice, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Greens. Minor-party and independent votes were split.

27 Nov 2025

Had it passed, the new agency would have faced more frequent and more independent review requirements.

Party Recorded votes Aye / No
Labor 0 / 20
Liberal Party 17 / 0
Greens 0 / 10
Independent 1 / 1
Australia's Voice 1 / 0
Nationals 1 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
Unknown 1 / 0

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

All speeches by bloc

Labor

25 speakers · 25 unclear

  1. Katy Gallagher ★ No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 24 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. Renee Coffey No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. Tom French No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. Kate Thwaites No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. Jo Briskey No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. Ged Kearney No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. Louise Miller-Frost No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  8. Julie-Ann Campbell No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  9. Michelle Ananda-Rajah No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  10. Trish Cook No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  11. Anthony Albanese No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  12. Carol Berry No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  13. Josh Burns No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  14. Emma Comer No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  15. Libby Coker No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  16. Gabriel Ng No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  17. Zaneta Mascarenhas No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  18. Susan Templeman No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  19. Sharon Claydon No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  20. Matt Smith No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  21. Sally Sitou No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  22. Ali France No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  23. Ellie Whiteaker No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  24. Jenny McAllister No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  25. Tony Burke ★ No summary available.

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 30 Oct 2025

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Coalition

17 speakers · 18 contributions · 17 unclear

  1. Julian Leeser ★ No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  2. Jonathon Duniam No summary available.

    Liberal Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  3. Tim Wilson No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  4. Ben Small No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  5. Melissa Price No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 06 Nov 2025

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  6. Barnaby Joyce No summary available.

    National Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  7. Mary Aldred No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  8. Simon Kennedy No summary available.

    Liberal Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  9. Susan McDonald No summary available.

    National Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  10. Anne Webster No summary available.

    National Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  11. Andrew Willcox No summary available.

    Liberal National Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  12. Michael McCormack No summary available.

    National Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  13. Andrew Wallace No summary available.

    Liberal National Party • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  14. Michelle Landry No summary available.

    National Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  15. Leon Rebello 2 contributions No summary available.

    Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Leon Rebello on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.

  16. Jamie Chaffey No summary available.

    National Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  17. Matt O'Sullivan No summary available.

    Liberal Party • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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Greens

4 speakers · 4 unclear

  1. Larissa Waters No summary available.

    Australian Greens • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  2. Sarah Hanson-Young No summary available.

    Australian Greens • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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  3. Elizabeth Watson-Brown No summary available.

    Australian Greens • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  4. Steph Hodgins-May No summary available.

    Australian Greens • Senator • 27 Nov 2025

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Minor parties and independents

6 speakers · 6 unclear

  1. Kate Chaney ★ No summary available.

    Independent • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  2. Allegra Spender No summary available.

    Independent • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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  3. Sophie Scamps No summary available.

    Independent • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  4. Helen Haines No summary available.

    Independent • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  5. Nicolette Boele No summary available.

    Independent • MP • 04 Nov 2025

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  6. Bob Katter No summary available.

    Katter's Australian Party • MP • 05 Nov 2025

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Record

Full record

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