Thursday 2 July 2026
SenateAI Summary
The Senate introduced twelve bills covering aged care assessments, consumer protection, affordable housing, coal mining leave entitlements, pharmaceutical benefits, and regulatory reform on 2 July 2026.
Senators introduced a range of legislation including two versions each of the Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026, the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026, the Commonwealth Land (Affordable Housing) Bill 2026, the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026, and the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, along with the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 and the Statute Update Bill 2026. No divisions were held. During question time, senators questioned ministers on housing affordability, aged care waiting list deaths, gambling industry hospitality, Export Finance Australia funding of overseas renewable projects, and rising electricity connection fees and falling feed-in tariffs. Ministers variously highlighted government programs and investments, redirected questions to other ministers, or cited the conduct of other parties in response.
Question Time
Housing
AI Summary
Senator Kovacic asked Minister Wong why the government's policies have led to higher mortgages, falling home values, and reduced rental housing investment. Wong deflected from the specific criticisms by highlighting the Help to Buy shared-equity scheme, which has assisted 40,000 Australians, rather than directly addressing concerns about mortgage increases, negative equity, or reduced investment in rental properties.
Aged Care
AI Summary
Wendy Askew asked Minister Jenny McAllister how many older Australians died waiting for approved aged-care packages in the past 12 months, citing specific cases of delayed care and lengthy waitlists. McAllister did not provide the requested figure but instead defended the government's $47 billion aged-care investment as the largest in the country's history and emphasized that generational reform is a long-term project, while criticizing the previous government's cuts to aged care.
Gambling
AI Summary
Senator Hodgins-May asked Minister Wong to confirm that Labor MPs did not accept gambling industry hospitality for the Midwinter Ball or other events during gambling legislation consultations. Minister Wong deflected by stating that disclosure rules apply to all parties equally and noted that the Greens themselves have accepted sponsorship from a professional gambler, without directly confirming or denying the specific allegations.
Export Finance Australia
AI Summary
Senator Canavan questioned why Export Finance Australia is funding renewable projects in India through an Indian government-owned corporation with no Australian company involvement, arguing this contradicts the agency's purpose of supporting Australian exports and jobs. Minister Gallagher deflected the question, stating it should be directed to Minister Farrell who has ministerial responsibility in this area.
Energy
AI Summary
Senator Roberts questioned whether energy companies were profiteering through rising connection fees and reduced feed-in tariffs, and accused the government of deceiving Australians about electricity price falls. Minister Ayres deflected by attacking the previous Morrison government's handling of energy prices and highlighted the government's solar battery support scheme, without directly addressing the specific concerns about connection fee increases or feed-in tariff reductions.
Cost of Living
AI Summary
Senator Smith asked the Finance Minister why Australians are facing significant increases in costs for essentials like insurance, electricity, rent, and mortgages after four years of Labor government, claiming families are worse off. The Minister acknowledged inherited challenges and highlighted the government's budget repairs and surpluses, but largely deflected from directly addressing the specific cost-of-living increases raised, instead pivoting to criticisms of the opposition.
Budget