Protecting Australia's Prime Agricultural Land Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

This legislation requires that Australia's best agricultural land be used for farming purposes, preventing it from being converted to other uses. The explanatory memorandum does not specify which existing laws are amended, but the core change is introducing a legal requirement that prime agricultural land must remain in agricultural production. The measure addresses concerns that valuable farmland is being lost to urban development or other non-agricultural uses, which could threaten Australia's food security and farming industry. By protecting this land for agriculture, the government aims to ensure Australia can continue producing food domestically and maintain viable agricultural regions for future generations.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause