Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Supporting Small Businesses To Be Paid On Time) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

This amendment targets a common problem for small businesses — waiting too long to get paid for work they've done. It changes the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act to require government agencies and larger companies to pay invoices from small businesses much faster, typically within 10 business days rather than the current 30 days. The change matters because small businesses, which often lack large cash reserves, struggle when they have to wait a month or more for payment — they still need to pay their own workers and suppliers immediately. By forcing faster payments, the government helps small businesses keep cash flowing and stay financially stable, which supports jobs and economic activity across Australia.

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