Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026

Summary

This legislation strengthens protections for the symbols, logos, and images associated with major sporting events held in Australia. It amends the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Act to give event organizers better tools to prevent unauthorized use of their distinctive marks and broadcast footage. The changes matter because they help protect the significant investment that sporting bodies make in hosting major events, prevent others from unfairly profiting off event-related symbols and images without permission, and ensure that only official broadcasters and sponsors can use protected materials.

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