Summary
Three sets of appropriation bills for the 2025-2026 financial year progressed through the House, with Appropriation Bills No. 3 and No. 4, and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill No. 2 receiving second and third readings, authorising spending across government departments and parliamentary operations. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025 was also introduced at second reading, proposing to prevent life insurers from using genetic test results when assessing applicants. No divisions were held. Question time focused heavily on fuel supply, with Minister Chris Bowen outlining measures including releasing 20 per cent of minimum fuel stock obligations directed to regional areas and relaxing sulphur rules for petrol, and confirming that legislation to increase ACCC penalties would be introduced the following day. Treasurer Jim Chalmers declined a proposal from Rebekha Sharkie to suspend fuel excise for 60 days. Darren Chester questioned the benefits of the EU free trade agreement for Australian farmers, and Minister Julie Collins defended the agreement, citing tariff eliminations and savings on wine exports.
Questions
Trade with the European Union
Chester questioned whether the EU free trade agreement was beneficial for Australian farmers, citing criticism from the National Farmers' Federation about it being a 'subpar deal'. Minister Collins defended the agreement as an opportunity for farmers, highlighting it as important for trade diversification, noting tariff eliminations on agricultural products and $17 million in wine tariff savings, while criticizing the previous government's trade record.
Fuel
Dan Tehan asked Minister Chris Bowen when legislation to increase ACCC penalties would be introduced, noting fuel prices had doubled in three weeks despite the minister's earlier announcement of coordinated action. The minister directly answered that the legislation would be introduced tomorrow.
Taxation
Sharkie asked the Treasurer to suspend fuel excise for 60 days to provide cost-of-living relief, citing a 55 per cent diesel price increase. Chalmers directly declined the proposal, stating the government is not considering excise suspension and is instead providing relief through tax cuts, cheaper medicines, bulk-billing, and student debt relief, while also ensuring fuel supply and ACCC oversight of retailers.
Fuel
Rick Wilson asked Minister Chris Bowen how many service stations in each state and territory were out of fuel, following the minister's earlier statement that Australia has enough diesel for foreseeable needs. Bowen directly answered the question by providing specific figures for each state and territory, showing that while most service stations had fuel available, some were experiencing shortages of particular fuel grades.
Fuel
McCormack asked about the government's plan to supply fuel to over 400 service stations without fuel. Minister Bowen outlined multiple measures including releasing 20% of minimum fuel stock obligations (directed to regional Australia), relaxing sulphur rules for petrol to add 100 million litres monthly, and coordinating with National Cabinet and energy ministers on contingency plans. He also defended the government's record, stating all expected fuel shipments have arrived and denying claims of export restrictions.
Fuel
Leon Rebello asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy whether any state or territory energy ministers had requested a federal fuel rationing plan. The minister deflected by referring to a previous answer rather than directly addressing the question.
Gambling
Kate Chaney asked why the government has not formally responded to the Murphy committee's 31 gambling harm reduction recommendations after 1,000 days. Prime Minister Albanese disputed her claim that government actions were unrelated to the report, citing multiple measures including credit card betting bans, the BetStop self-exclusion register, and new legislation removing tax incentives for gambling companies.
Fuel
Member McIntosh asked if Minister Bowen agreed with NSW Premier Chris Minns's suggestion that fuel demand management procedures should be nationally consistent. Minister Bowen deflected from directly addressing the question, instead highlighting that energy ministers had agreed to coordination measures and that a supply coordinator had been appointed, while characterizing the opposition's approach as fearmongering rather than constructive.
Cost of Living
Labor MP Dai Le asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers why the government won't halve fuel excise to provide cost-of-living relief as petrol prices surge. Chalmers deflected by referencing a previous answer to another MP and instead outlined various other cost-of-living measures his government is providing, such as tax cuts, superannuation boosts, and medicine subsidies, without directly addressing the fuel excise question.