Tuesday 31 March 2026
House of RepresentativesAI Summary
The House of Representatives passed the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 by 98 votes to 36 following a Senate message, while the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 was defeated at its second reading 35 votes to 96.
Three bills were introduced and advanced through multiple readings on 31 March 2026. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026 passed its third reading despite failing its second reading division, and the High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026 progressed through both its second and third readings. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025 was introduced at its second reading, with the bill aimed at strengthening oversight and fraud prevention within the NDIS. During question time, Allegra Spender asked the Treasurer about skills recognition for migrants working below their qualification level, and Treasurer Chalmers outlined existing government measures. Angus Taylor twice questioned the Prime Minister and the Speaker about whether the government would rule out expanding the size of parliament at a cost exceeding $600 million, receiving limited direct answers. Tim Wilson asked the Treasurer for a guarantee the upcoming budget would not add inflationary pressure, which Chalmers did not directly provide. Zali Steggall asked the Prime Minister about progress toward justice for Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, killed by an Israeli air strike two years ago, with Albanese noting he would meet Frankcom's brother that day.
Question Time
Migration: Skills Recognition
AI Summary
Allegra Spender asked the Treasurer what concrete steps the government will take to speed up and reduce costs of skills recognition for the 253,000 migrants working below their skill level. Treasurer Chalmers acknowledged the importance of the issue and outlined several government initiatives including strengthening Jobs and Skills Australia's role in skills recognition, funding to streamline skills assessments (benefiting 13,000 applicants), and new powers for the Skills and Training Minister, though his response was cut off and remained somewhat general rather than providing specific new commitments.
Australian Parliament
AI Summary
Angus Taylor asked the Prime Minister whether he would rule out spending over $600 million on adding more politicians to parliament, citing concerns about inflation. Prime Minister Albanese directly answered that he is satisfied with the current number of House of Representatives members and their composition, implicitly rejecting the proposal.
Parliamentary Representation
AI Summary
Angus Taylor asked the Prime Minister whether the government would rule out expanding the size of parliament. The Prime Minister's response was interrupted by multiple points of order regarding relevance, and no substantive answer to the question was recorded in the exchange.
Budget
AI Summary
Tim Wilson asked if the Treasurer would guarantee that the budget won't add further pressure to inflation and interest rates, citing increased mortgage costs under Labor. Treasurer Jim Chalmers deflected by attacking the opposition's fiscal record, highlighting his government's $114 billion in savings across budgets and claiming the biggest positive turnaround in the budget position since Federation, but did not directly address the specific guarantee requested about the upcoming budget's inflationary impact.
Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi)
AI Summary
Steggall asked what tangible progress the government has made to secure justice for Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, killed by an Israeli air strike two years ago, and whether the government would support a humanitarian peace prize in her honour. Albanese acknowledged the tragedy, stated he would meet with Frankcom's brother that afternoon, noted he had raised the issue with Israeli President Hertzog, and referenced Australia's work on protecting humanitarian personnel, but did not directly address specific progress on justice, accountability, or the proposed peace prize.
Fuel Security
AI Summary
Penfold asked how many oil tankers have left the Middle East for Asian refineries since 28 February, seeking to understand fuel supply security. Minister Bowen did not directly answer the specific question about tanker numbers, instead pivoting to note that 53 ships are en route to Australia with 3.7 billion litres contracted for April, and outlined government actions taken to manage supply chain risks.
Taxation: Fossil Fuel Industry
AI Summary
Watson-Brown asked the Treasurer to confirm Shell pays minimal Petroleum Resource Rent Tax and proposed a 25 per cent tax on gas export revenue. Chalmers defended the government's PRRT reforms, noting they increased the number of companies paying PRRT and generated $12 billion in revenue, and cited Shell's $3 billion in total tax payments, but did not directly address the specific claims about Shell's PRRT payments or commit to the proposed 25 per cent export tax.
Fuel Security
AI Summary
The member asked how many ships the minister expects to arrive in May, citing discrepancies between previous statements about 53 ships en route and 81 ships scheduled for April. The minister clarified that over 53 ships are currently en route, explained that comparisons between different timeframes are not equivalent due to varying transit times from different ports, and stated that an average of 81 ships per month is expected to continue into May, with 3.7 billion litres of fuel currently on the water to Australia.
Fire Ants
AI Summary
Joyce asked about government funding for fire ant control ahead of the MYEFO budget announcement, expressing concern about potential devastation to livestock and wildlife. Burke acknowledged the longstanding fire ant problem in Queensland and stated the government remains committed to continuing containment efforts, though he did not directly commit to specific MYEFO funding.
Fuel Security
AI Summary
David Batt asked whether the government could guarantee reliable diesel supplies for wheelchair-accessible taxis in his electorate, citing a fuel crisis affecting vulnerable Australians. Chris Bowen responded by defending the government's fuel security efforts, citing increased fuel sales at Queensland terminals and measures like minimum stockholding obligations, though he did not directly address whether the government can guarantee future diesel supplies.