Summary
The Senate passed Appropriation Bills No. 3 and No. 4 for 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill No. 2 at both second and third reading stages by 40 votes to 5. The Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 passed its second and third readings 36 to 25, while the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024 failed its second reading 26 to 36. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026 were also defeated at second reading. Also introduced were the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 at first and second reading. Senate orders for the production of documents relating to housing programs had mixed results. In question time, senators questioned ministers on the ongoing fuel supply crisis, with Senators Liddle and Colbeck pressing Minister Wong on how the situation escalated and whether supply could be guaranteed; Wong outlined government responses but made no guarantee. Senator Hanson-Young asked about delayed digital duty of care legislation, Senator Thorpe questioned a Labor fundraising event, and Senator Scarr raised concerns about waste management services being excluded from a priority fuel list.
Questions
Waste Management and Recycling
Senator Scarr asked why the waste management industry was excluded from the priority fuel list, warning of public health risks within 48 hours if collections stopped. Minister Wong acknowledged the government is aware of fuel supply impacts across the economy and indicated the current priority list (from March 2019) could be amended if necessary, but did not directly commit to adding waste services to it.
Cybersafety
Senator Hanson-Young asked why the government has delayed legislating a digital duty of care to protect Australians from addictive social media platforms, following a US court ruling against Meta and Google. Senator Farrell deflected by claiming the Albanese government has been 'world-leading' on the issue and referenced government actions already taken, but did not directly address the specific question about the delayed duty of care legislation or provide a timeline for its introduction.
Donations to Political Parties
Senator Thorpe asked Minister McCarthy to cancel a Labor Party fundraising event charging $4,000 per ticket, arguing it amounts to corrupt conduct. Minister McCarthy defended the event as important for meeting stakeholders, stated she works within disclosure rules, characterised the question as a 'grubby imputation', and did not commit to cancelling the event.
Fuel
Senator Liddle asked how the government allowed a fuel crisis to escalate and disrupt trade, jobs, food supply, and essential services. Minister Wong characterized the crisis as a global energy shock affecting multiple countries, stated the government is taking action including legislation on petrol company conduct, convening National Cabinet meetings, releasing fuel reserves, and appointing a Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, though she did not directly address how the crisis was allowed to reach its current severity.
Fuel
Senator Colbeck asked whether Australia could be guaranteed not to run out of fuel supplies. Minister Wong did not directly guarantee fuel security, instead emphasizing the government's commitment to shield Australians from global energy market uncertainty and noting that supply and distribution matters are being addressed through National Cabinet and existing taskforces.
Fuel
Matt O'Sullivan asked Minister Ayres what the government would say to Australians cancelling Easter travel due to high fuel prices. Ayres attributed fuel price rises to Middle East conflict and the Strait of Hormuz closure, citing government actions including doubling penalties for misleading conduct, releasing fuel reserves, and changing petrol standards, but did not directly address the personal impact on individuals like Ms Thompson.