Summary
Six pieces of legislation received first or second readings in the Senate. The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025 would allow couples to voluntarily transfer superannuation between accounts up to a legal limit without additional tax. Two readings of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 would give the Minister power to declare exceptional circumstances and allow the ACCC to authorise otherwise prohibited business coordination, with parliamentary oversight and automatic expiry. The Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for Packaging (No Time to Waste) Bill 2026 would make packaging producers legally responsible for end-of-life disposal under rules the Environment Minister must create within three months. The Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026 would create a strict liability offence for importing counterfeit goods and allow on-the-spot fines. In divisions, orders for the production of documents on NT Remote Aboriginal Investment and housing both passed 37 to 22, while a motion on consideration of legislation passed 34 to 25. In question time, senators questioned ministers on budget debt, cost of living relief, capital gains tax, NT Aboriginal child placement legislation, and NDIS funding changes.
Questions
Budget debt burden
Senator Chandler asked whether the budget shows debt will hit $1 trillion and climb to $1.25 trillion under Labor government. Minister Gallagher did not directly confirm these figures but instead deflected by comparing Labor's debt management favorably to the previous Coalition government, stating that debt is lower in every year of the forward estimates compared to what was inherited, and that Labor has reduced debt by $173 billion while saving $70 billion in interest payments.
Budget
Senator Hume questioned why the government's budget would force Australians earning $25,000 annually to pay an additional $1,600 in tax through a new minimum tax on capital gains. Minister Wong did not directly address the specific calculation or example, instead pivoting to defend the government's tax changes as helping young Australians achieve homeownership and criticising the previous Liberal government's record on debt and deficits.
Indigenous Australians
Senator Thorpe asked whether the minister agreed with Indigenous children's commissioners that Northern Territory legislation weakening the Aboriginal child placement principle should be paused pending an inquiry. The minister did not directly answer yes or no, instead stating they had raised concerns with the NT government and requested they consult with Aboriginal organisations and commissioners, but did not commit to supporting a pause in the legislation.
NDIS Budget Cuts
Senator Steele-John asked whether the government was proud of cutting $185 billion from the NDIS while raising more revenue from property investors. Minister Gallagher defended the cuts as necessary for the scheme's sustainability, noting the NDIS had grown from a projected $13 billion to over $50 billion annually, and argued the government needed to refocus the program on its original intention while rebuilding support systems outside the NDIS.
Taxation
Senator Cash asked how many times the Prime Minister promised before the election not to change negative gearing policy. Minister Wong acknowledged the government had changed its policy position on negative gearing and stated they were being upfront about it, citing intergenerational housing inequality as the reason, but did not directly answer the specific question about the number of promises made.
Data Centres
Senator Pocock asked whether voluntary national expectations for data centres announced in March would be insufficient, given reports that energy ministers are considering mandatory offset rules. Minister Ayres responded that the voluntary expectations are adequate and are being operationalised through state planning approvals, with Assistant Minister Charlton engaging data centre developers to require them to invest in additional electricity generation and transmission, citing the Boyne aluminium smelter as an example of this model.
Housing
Senator Bragg claimed the government's housing taxes would reduce supply by 35,000 dwellings, harming younger people. Minister Wong directly contradicted this, stating the government's policies will actually increase housing supply by at least 30,000 dwellings over the medium term while also improving home ownership composition by helping first home buyers compete fairly with investors.