Monday 2 March 2026
House of RepresentativesQuestion time in the House of Representatives on 2 March 2026 was dominated by opposition pressure over whether the government made commitments to advocate for the repatriation of ISIS sympathisers.
No new bills were introduced in the House today. Two divisions were held on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025, with the first passing 100 to 38 and the second failing 44 to 96, suggesting a contested amendment stage returning from the Federation Chamber. Question time was consumed almost entirely by national security questions directed at Prime Minister Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, with the opposition pressing on whether ministers made representations to support passport issuance or repatriation of ISIS sympathisers. Burke acknowledged ASIO assessed one individual in the cohort as meeting the threshold for a temporary exclusion order, while deflecting on the specifics of what was communicated to Save the Children. Neither Albanese nor Burke directly answered the questions put to them, a pattern that will likely sustain the story into the week. On a lighter note for the seat of Calare, Andrew Gee asked about the Lithgow Railway Workshop, receiving a response that was long on policy frameworks and short on anything resembling a commitment.
Divisions
Bills — Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Report from Federation Chamber
DEFEATEDBills — Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Report from Federation Chamber
PASSEDQuestion Time (Dorothy Dixers removed)
Lithgow Railway Workshop
AI Summary
Andrew Gee asked whether the government would support purchasing the Lithgow Railway Workshop from Pacific National to preserve it for freight rail and battery electric train manufacturing. Prime Minister Albanese deflected by discussing the National Reconstruction Fund and National Rail Action Plan for coordinating manufacturing across states, but did not directly commit to buying the site or initiating discussions with the state government.
National Security
AI Summary
David Littleproud asked the Minister for Home Affairs when he last had contact with Dr Jamal Rifi regarding ISIS sympathiser repatriation. Tony Burke stated it had been 'many, many months' since such a conversation, and referenced a previous meeting with Dr Rifi where Save the Children expressed disappointment with a decision to refuse assistance to Australians in trouble overseas.
National Security
AI Summary
Opposition Leader David Littleproud asked whether the Home Affairs Minister was aware of intelligence regarding ISIS sympathisers posing a security threat when meeting with Dr Jamal Rifi in June 2025. Minister Tony Burke acknowledged that ASIO assessed one member of the cohort met the threshold for a temporary exclusion order, which the government implemented, while criticising the opposition for discussing intelligence matters in Parliament.
Middle East
AI Summary
Andrew Hastie asked the Prime Minister whether the government has halted plans to bring home ISIS sympathisers given Middle East tensions, and whether it will prioritise law-abiding Australian citizens at risk. Prime Minister Albanese responded by rejecting the premise of the question without providing substantive details on either plan.
Tasmania: Salmon Fishing Industry
AI Summary
Andrew Wilkie asked Minister Julie Collins what penalties would be imposed after the antibiotic florfenicol was detected in wild marine life near salmon farms despite his previous concerns. Collins deflected by emphasizing that the APVMA is an independent authority responsible for the decision and that the Tasmanian government manages its waterways, without directly addressing the question about penalties.
National Security
AI Summary
McCormack asked how the government can assure the Yazidi community that inconsistent messaging about ISIS sympathisers returning to Australia won't harm their rehabilitation efforts. Albanese affirmed Australia's welcome of the Yazidi community, expressed strong opposition to ISIS, and called for political unity on the issue rather than division, but did not directly address the specific concern about inconsistent government messaging.
Fuel Security
AI Summary
Joyce asked about actions taken to ensure fuel security since Middle East hostilities began and current diesel stocks on Australian soil. Bowen stated Australia currently holds 34 days of diesel stock, 32 days of jet fuel, and 36 days of petrol—the highest levels in 15 years—but was challenged on relevance when he began discussing stocks previously held in the US, with the Speaker clarifying the question specifically concerned fuel on Australian soil.