Wednesday 1 July 2026
SenateAI Summary
The Senate introduced eight bills on 1 July 2026 covering university fee changes, pharmaceutical prescribing, consumer protections, trade consultation, sex discrimination, sporting event protections, and social media age enforcement.
The Senate introduced a range of legislation across several policy areas. The Higher Education Support Amendment Bill proposes to reverse fee increases in job-ready fields and cap arts degree fees at $50,000. Two readings of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill progressed, seeking to modify prescribing rules under the PBS. The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill targets deceptive business conduct. The Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill, introduced at first and second reading, would require greater parliamentary and public consultation before trade deals are finalised. The Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Common Sense and Recognising Biological Sex) Bill was introduced at first reading. Bills protecting major sporting event imagery and strengthening social media age enforcement also received first and second readings. No divisions were held. In question time, senators questioned ministers on the widow's tax timeline, women's economic security measures, diesel fuel tax credits for mining companies, small business support packages, and the funding outlook for the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy beyond 2028-29.
Question Time
Widow's tax legislation
AI Summary
Senator Duniam asked why the Prime Minister voted for the widow's tax but hasn't introduced legislation to abolish it. Minister Wong stated the government indicated on budget night it would work through various issues in consultation, with the first tranche of legislation passed and further tranches to follow, including addressing grandfathering provisions, though they did not provide a direct timeline for the abolition legislation.
Transcript derived from ParlView closed captions — not yet indexed by OpenAustralia Hansard.
Housing
AI Summary
Senator Bragg asked whether Australia completed 198,000 houses annually under the Coalition compared to 170,000 under Labor in the year to June 2024. Minister Wong did not directly confirm or refute these figures, instead pivoting to highlight Labor's achievements including 660,000 homes built since election, 26% higher new home starts than a year ago, and 40,000 first home buyers in New South Wales through Labor's five percent deposit scheme.
Fossil Fuel Industry
AI Summary
Senator Waters questioned why the government continues to provide billions in diesel fuel tax credits to mining corporations, citing criticism from the Climate Change Authority, OECD, and other organizations. Minister Gallagher acknowledged this is a long-held Greens position but stated the government has not changed its view on the rebate, deflecting to broader claims about the government's climate and renewable energy policies.
Education
AI Summary
Senator Hodgins-May asked whether coal and gas corporations should be allowed to teach climate change in schools, citing a report about fossil fuel industry funding of climate denial materials. Minister Walsh acknowledged the Commonwealth's role in setting national education priorities including sustainability, but deflected responsibility by emphasizing that states, territories, and schools manage curriculum delivery and teaching materials, and expressed trust in teachers' professional discretion.
Housing
AI Summary
Senator McDonald asked how many first home buyers under Labor's five per cent deposit scheme have fallen into negative equity since the May budget. Minister Wong directly addressed the question by citing RBA data indicating negative equity is "minuscule" and has declined, while noting only 13 out of 200,000+ guarantees have been paid out and most borrowers are either ahead or on time with repayments.
National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy
AI Summary
Senator Pocock asked why NCRIS lost its detailed funding profile in the budget and sought government guarantees on funding beyond the 2028-29 cliff. Minister Ayres highlighted the government's increased research infrastructure spending, including $387.4 million additional funding for CSIRO, but did not directly address the specific questions about NCRIS's missing funding profile or post-2028-29 guarantees.
Taxation
AI Summary
Senator Hume asked how many Australians would pay more in taxes this financial year compared to the previous year, citing inflation increases and rising tax-to-GDP forecasts. Minister Gallagher did not directly answer the question, instead deflecting to criticize the opposition's voting record against tax cuts and cost-of-living relief measures.