Summary
Parliament introduced a range of legislation on 25 May 2026. The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) Bill 2026 would require telcos to maintain services and work with emergency agencies during disasters, with stronger ACCC enforcement powers. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Commission of Inquiry Bill 2026 (No. 2) would establish a formal inquiry into that agency's performance. The Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sex-based Rights) Bill 2026 would amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to clarify sex-based rights and discrimination rules. The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026 passed its third reading, expanding ACCC powers during crises. Appropriation Bills for both 2025-26 and 2026-27 were also introduced and advanced through various reading stages. No divisions were recorded. During question time, Treasurer Chalmers was questioned on tax reform benefits, capital gains tax modelling, and whether CGT concerns from small business owners were valid. Minister O'Neil was asked about housing reforms for first homebuyers, and Minister Bowen outlined fuel security stockpile figures in response to a question on that topic.
Questions
Capital gains tax endorsement
The Member for Goldstein questioned whether Treasurer Chalmers endorsed concerns raised by a small business owner about the new capital gains tax regime. Chalmers deflected by challenging the credibility of the example, suggesting the business owner likely qualified for existing small business concessions, and pivoted to quoting arguments about tax fairness for young Australians rather than directly addressing the question.
CGT changes modelling
The Member for Warringah asked what modelling the government conducted on extending capital gains tax changes beyond investment properties and whether it would be released. Treasurer Jim Chalmers deflected from the specific question about CGT modelling, instead emphasizing the government's broader youth-focused budget measures including tax offsets, instant deductions, and housing initiatives.
Capital gains tax startups
The Member for Maranoa cited an open letter from 40 young tech founders opposing the government's capital gains tax changes, asking if the Prime Minister acknowledges the budget will hurt small business. Prime Minister Albanese defended the budget by highlighting $3.5 billion in small business support, announced upcoming legislation with tax cuts and a standard deduction to benefit young Australians, and noted consultation with tech companies and business groups, arguing the reforms are necessary and called for by the opposition.
Veterans allied health services
The Member for Herbert asked about a $5,000 annual cap on allied health services for veterans, claiming it was a broken promise. The Prime Minister and Minister for Veterans' Affairs responded by highlighting their government's investments in DVA, including a $169.7 million budget increase to allied health provider fees (the largest in two decades) set to take effect in July 2027, which would raise physiotherapy payments from $75.10 to $110 per service.
Budget
Steggall asked the Treasurer what modelling the government conducted on extending capital gains tax changes beyond investment properties and whether it would be released. Chalmers did not directly address the modelling question, instead pivoting to argue that the budget benefits young people through tax offsets, tax cuts, and housing assistance.
Budget
Wilson raised concerns about a constituent with a child living with Down syndrome in relation to budget measures. Prime Minister Albanese responded by stating that exemptions for vulnerable people were included in the budget announcement, and criticized the framing of the issue as fear-mongering for political advantage rather than directly addressing the specific concern raised.
Budget
David Littleproud asked whether the Prime Minister acknowledged that the budget's tax increases would hurt small business owners, citing concerns from young tech founders. Anthony Albanese deflected from the criticism by highlighting $3 billion in small business support, explaining the upcoming legislation would include tax cuts and consulting processes, and reframing the reforms as necessary changes supported by the opposition.
Budget
Bell asked why Labor's tax changes on capital gains and negative gearing would harm families like Aaron trying to save for their first home. Albanese responded that the reforms are designed to redirect investors from the property market back to shares, reducing competition for owner-occupiers at auctions, while maintaining the ability for investors to use negative gearing and retain a 50% capital gains tax discount.
Donations to Political Parties
Elizabeth Watson-Brown asked the Prime Minister whether gas industry lobbyists or representatives attended Labor's budget night fundraiser. The Prime Minister deflected by referencing a large corporate donation to the Greens and changes made to fundraising practices under their administration, but did not directly address whether gas industry representatives attended the Labor fundraiser.
Veterans
Thompson asked the Prime Minister about alleged cuts to allied health services for veterans, claiming a broken promise on a $5,000 annual cap. Albanese did not directly address the specific claim about allied health rationing, instead deflecting to discuss the government's improvements to DVA claims processing and the creation of veteran hubs, while also commenting on the previous government's budget cuts to veterans affairs.