Summary
Parliament introduced a large suite of bills on 1 April 2026. These included four aviation consumer protection bills establishing new passenger safeguards, a levy, and collection mechanisms; two bills amending public and educational lending rights to improve author income from library borrowing; two secrecy provisions amendment bills, one repealing certain secrecy offences and another adding sunsetting provisions; a Defence Force Discipline Amendment Bill relating to the RCDVS; a Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill addressing unfair trading practices; a Customs Legislation Amendment Bill on false trade mark infringement notices; a Treasury Laws Amendment Bill on tax system efficiency; NDIS integrity and safeguarding amendments, which also passed a third reading; and a Telecommunications Amendment Bill on consumer safeguards. No divisions were recorded. In question time, Anthony Albanese said no decisions had been made on gambling advertising reforms; he also clarified that Queensland LNG project approvals proceed through existing environmental laws. Chris Bowen confirmed the government remains committed to the east coast gas reservation scheme from 2027. Michelle Rowland confirmed a whole-of-government automated decision-making framework is being developed but gave no timeline for legislation.
Questions
Gambling Advertising
Andrew Wilkie asked the Prime Minister about the veracity of media reports regarding gambling advertising reforms and the government's plan to address the 31 recommendations from the Murphy report. Prime Minister Albanese deflected by stating the government has made no decisions yet, is still consulting, and will announce decisions when they are made collectively, without directly confirming or denying the media report or outlining plans for addressing the recommendations.
Fossil Fuel Industry
Bell asked whether the Labor government would work with the coalition to fast-track approvals for Australian oil projects including the Taroom Trough to address fuel security. Albanese clarified that the Queensland LNP is a state government (not the federal coalition), stated he works constructively with that state government, and explained that any proposals go through improved environmental laws that enable faster and more efficient processes.
Fossil Fuel Industry
Nicolette Boele asked the Climate Change and Energy Minister whether the government would maintain its commitment to the east coast gas reservation scheme starting in 2027, which requires Queensland LNG exporters to reserve 25 per cent of gas for domestic use. Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the government's firm commitment to introducing the policy as planned, noting that the government is consulting extensively with both gas producers and heavy industry users through a detailed design process, with Cabinet to decide final parameters based on joint recommendations from the Climate Change and Resources ministers.
National Fuel Security Plan
Webster asked Prime Minister Albanese to list who would be classified as a critical user under the National Fuel Security Plan. Albanese did not directly answer the question, instead defending the plan as a National Cabinet agreement and criticizing the opposition's approach.
Albanese Government: Automated Decision-Making
Kate Chaney asked when the government would deliver a legislated and mandatory framework for automated decision-making in government to prevent another robodebt scheme. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed the government is developing a whole-of-government ADM framework implementing royal commission recommendations, but did not provide a specific timeline for legislation.
Fuel
Kevin Hogan asked the Prime Minister to list critical users under the National Fuel Security Plan. The minister (Chris Bowen) provided a direct answer, stating that critical users include life-supporting services, utilities, and emergency services, and referenced the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act which specifies essential services such as ambulance, police, fire, and public transport services, with determinations issued by the energy minister.
Great Western Highway
Andrew Gee asked the Prime Minister for a federal support package for Central West businesses devastated by the Great Western Highway closure. Albanese acknowledged the impact on local businesses, confirmed he had discussed the issue with NSW officials, noted that road safety decisions rest with the NSW government (which expects a three-month closure), and mentioned that the Australian government had announced temporary tax relief assistance for small businesses affected by fuel supply issues—but did not commit to a dedicated support package specifically for this closure.
Fuel Security
Michelle Landry asked if the government has received advice of additional fuel ships delayed or cancelled. Chris Bowen (responding for the Prime Minister) directly answered 'no' and confirmed that while six ships scheduled for April were cancelled, they have been replaced with spot cargoes, with orders for April totalling 2 billion litres of diesel, 719 million litres of petrol, and 740 million litres of crude.