Summary
Eight bills received second readings in the House on 28 May 2026. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 was introduced alongside three tax-related bills: Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026, and Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026. The Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 passed both its second and third readings. The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 also had its second reading, as did the three appropriation bills covering government and parliamentary department spending for 2026-27. No divisions were recorded. During question time, Angus Taylor questioned Prime Minister Albanese on the electoral timing of proposed tax changes; Dai Le asked Tony Burke about the settlement of ISIS-affiliated returnees in Western Sydney; Barnaby Joyce pressed Treasurer Bowen on the cost of the Capacity Investment Scheme; and Monique Ryan asked Education Minister Clare to adjust HECS indexation timing relative to the 1 June debt increase date.
Questions
Taxation
Taylor asked why the Prime Minister wouldn't take proposed tax changes to the next election, characterizing them as 'toxic taxes' hidden from voters. Albanese deflected from the direct question by outlining the government's tax policy changes, including capital gains tax reform, a tax deduction for workers, and income tax reductions, framing them as beneficial rather than addressing the electoral timing question.
National Security
Member Le asked whether ISIS-affiliated women who returned to Australia would be settled in specific Western Sydney suburbs and whether the government consulted local community leaders. Prime Minister Burke stated the government is not involved in settling returnees, and highlighted consultations with various community and religious organizations, though they did not directly specify where the individuals would reside.
Budget
Wilson asked whether capital gains for small-business owners would be averaged over five years under the government's tax changes. Albanese deflected by citing the Ralph review's criticism of averaging provisions from 1999 and defending the current approach, rather than directly confirming or denying the proposed policy.
Capital Investment Scheme
Joyce asked the Treasurer to specify the cost of the Capacity Investment Scheme within a range of options. Bowen deflected from providing a cost estimate, instead highlighting the scheme's benefits (unlocking $17 billion in private investment and creating 19,000 jobs) and citing commercial-in-confidence concerns to justify not disclosing the figure.
Budget
Sam Birrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to guarantee that farming families won't be negatively impacted by capital gains tax changes in the budget. The minister dismissed the question as a scare campaign, citing that the National Farmers' Federation supports the government's approach, that changes don't commence until July 2027, and that nine in 10 agricultural businesses will be eligible for tax discounts.
Tertiary Education and Training
Ryan asked the Education Minister to change HECS indexation timing so repayments are counted before debt increases on 1 June. Clare did not directly address the specific timing proposal, instead highlighting the government's 20 per cent debt cut and reforms to make degrees cheaper and faster, particularly for TAFE graduates.
Budget
Wilson asked if the minister could guarantee farming families wouldn't be worse off from Labor's taxes. Collins deflected by calling it a 'scare campaign' and reiterated existing policy details about capital gains tax changes starting July 2027, noting that nine out of 10 agriculture businesses would receive small business concessions.