Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

When Australia negotiates major trade and investment agreements with other countries, this legislation requires the government to consult more openly with the public, businesses, and other stakeholders before finalising deals. Currently, trade negotiations happen largely behind closed doors, which means affected industries, workers, and communities often have little say in agreements that impact them. The change matters because trade deals can reshape entire industries — affecting jobs, consumer prices, and local businesses — so giving people a genuine chance to have input before deals are locked in helps ensure agreements reflect broader Australian interests rather than just government priorities.

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