Summary
Five bills received their second reading in the House on 26 May 2026. The Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 were introduced to authorise Commonwealth expenditure across government departments and parliamentary bodies for the coming financial year. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026 was introduced to update the operation of Australian business registry systems, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 was introduced to amend the NDIS Act 2013 in relation to the scheme's long-term financial management. No divisions were held. During question time, topics raised included housing affordability measures in the budget, energy price reductions under the default market offer determination, jet fuel supply arrangements for the aviation industry, Australia's bilateral relationship with India, and government initiatives relating to menopause and perimenopause health support including a Medicare assessment item used by over 105,000 women since July.
Questions
Budget
Tim Wilson questioned the Prime Minister about whether a person with Down syndrome would be subject to a 30 per cent death tax, disputing the PM's previous claim that they were exempt as a vulnerable minor since they are actually an adult. The Prime Minister responded with a single word denial.
Budget
Pat Conaghan asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese why the government was removing private health insurance rebates that constituents desperately need, citing the example of someone recovering from breast cancer. Albanese directly denied the premise of the question, stating no rebate was being removed, and outlined other health measures including reduced medicine prices, increased bulk-billing rates, and hospital funding.
Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion
Boele asked how Parliament could hold the government accountable for implementing five classified recommendations from the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The Attorney-General confirmed the recommendations were confidential, stated the government had accepted all 14 recommendations and would work with states and territories on implementation, but did not directly address how parliamentary accountability would be maintained for the classified recommendations.
Indigenous Australians: Cultural Heritage
Andrew Gee raised concerns about the destruction of a Wiradjuri cultural site during the construction of transmission lines for a renewable energy project, criticizing the lack of accountability. Chris Bowen acknowledged the matter as unacceptable and committed to discussing it with the Indigenous Australians minister and the New South Wales government, while agreeing that destruction of First Nations cultural sites is unacceptable.
National Security
Kevin Hogan asked the Prime Minister about allegations that the government planned to return ISIS sympathisers to Australia, citing a claimed secret meeting. The Prime Minister did not address the substantive question and instead attempted to table a document from Save the Children regarding a meeting with the Minister for Home Affairs, becoming distracted by procedural matters regarding microphone access.
Private health insurance rebate
The Member for Cowper questioned the Prime Minister about changes to private health insurance rebates, claiming they would cost constituents hundreds of dollars annually. Prime Minister Albanese directly rejected the premise of the question, stating no rebate is being removed, and cited other healthcare measures including reduced medicine prices, increased bulk-billing rates, and a $25 billion health budget allocation.
Antisemitism Royal Commission
The Member for Bradfield questioned how Parliament could hold the government accountable for implementing five classified recommendations from the antisemitism royal commission's interim report. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus confirmed the recommendations are confidential but stated the government has accepted all recommendations and will work with states and territories on implementation, without directly addressing the accountability concern raised.
Cultural site destruction
The Member for Calare raised concerns about the destruction of a cultural site during renewable energy infrastructure development in Central West Orana, questioning accountability and preventative measures. The Prime Minister acknowledged the matter as serious and unacceptable, stating they would discuss it with the Minister for Indigenous Australians and the NSW Government, and committed to keeping the member informed of any investigation and action, though without specifying concrete measures.
ISIS sympathisers returning
The Member for Page alleged that the government had secretly committed to returning ISIS sympathisers to Australia as part of a coordinated plan. Prime Minister Albanese denied the allegation, stating the government provided no assistance to such individuals and that any legal breaches would result in prosecution, though they did not directly address the specific claims about a June 2025 meeting or the purported arrival of a planeload.