Summary
The Senate received a large volume of legislation across its sitting day. The Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Banning Dirty Donations) Bill 2026 was introduced at second reading, proposing to prohibit donations from property developers, tobacco, banking, liquor and gambling, pharmaceuticals, mining, defence, and their representative bodies, while capping all other donations at $3,000 per election term. The Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026 passed through first, second, and third readings, creating a mechanism for abuse survivors to access perpetrators' voluntary superannuation contributions and amending the Bankruptcy Act so compensation debts survive insolvency. The Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026 and the Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026 both completed second and third readings. The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 and its companion bill progressed through first, second, and third readings. The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 was introduced and debated, though its second reading was defeated 27 to 34. Eleven divisions were held on committee references, estimates, bill debate limitations, and the order of business. In question time, senators questioned Minister Wong on housing delivery, budget and intergenerational equity, and a proposed gas export tax; Minister Walsh addressed first home buyer measures; and Minister McAllister provided specific figures on aged care waiting lists, citing 94,963 people waiting for Support at Home placement and 103,527 awaiting assessment as of 31 December.
Questions
Housing
Senator Bragg questioned the government's housing performance. Senator Wong responded by citing statistics on home completions and starts under Labor, defended the Housing Australia Future Fund against Opposition criticism, and emphasized the government's $47 billion Homes for Australia plan, though she did not directly address Bragg's specific concern before time expired.
Budget
Senator Paterson questioned whether tax increases align with intergenerational equity, citing a young Australian's concern about delayed wealth creation. Minister Wong defended the budget measures, arguing they will increase housing supply and lower taxes for young people compared to the opposition's alternative, with claims that 75,000 Australians will be helped to achieve homeownership.
Taxation: Gas Industry
Senator Waters questioned whether the Prime Minister was dismissing the ACTU's proposal for a 25 per cent gas export tax as a mere slogan, given the union body's clear articulation of the policy and its estimated revenue impact. Minister Wong defended the government's alternative policy of a gas reservation requirement, arguing it was superior because it ensures domestic supply, stable prices, and protects Australian jobs and manufacturing, rather than directly addressing the Prime Minister's characterization of the export tax proposal.
Aged Care
Senator Pocock asked how many people were waiting for Support at Home packages and assessments. Minister McAllister directly answered both questions, providing specific figures as of 31 December (94,963 waiting for Support at Home placement and 103,527 waiting for assessment), then used the remainder of their response to discuss the government's aged care investments and reforms.
Energy
Senator Canavan questioned why the government has abandoned promises that net zero policies would lower energy costs, noting electricity prices have risen 40 per cent and energy wasn't mentioned in the budget. Minister Wong deflected by criticizing the Coalition's alignment with One Nation, then pivoted to discuss global energy market shocks and budget energy security packages rather than directly addressing the claim about unfulfilled cost-reduction promises.
Housing
Senator Hanson raised concerns about foreign homeowners not complying with mandatory vacancy fee disclosure requirements, citing One Nation FOI documents showing only one in five foreign purchasers submitted the required returns. Minister Gallagher did not directly address the compliance issue, instead emphasizing the government's extension of the foreign buyer ban to 2029 and noting that foreign purchases have declined to 0.5 per cent of all buyers since the ban began in 2025, while deferring questions about compliance verification to Treasury and the ATO.