Administrative and Judicial Review Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Summary

This legislation updates how Australian courts review decisions made by government agencies and officials. It amends existing administrative review laws to change procedures, timeframes, or standards for challenging government decisions—though without the introduction speech, the specific amendments aren't detailed here. The changes affect anyone who needs to challenge a government agency's decision, including businesses, community organisations, and individuals, by potentially making the court review process faster, more affordable, or more accessible.

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