Summary
The House sat on 19 August 2026 and introduced a large number of bills. A suite of news media legislation was tabled, including the News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, the News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, the News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, the News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, and the Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026, collectively establishing a framework for digital platforms to negotiate and pay news organisations for content. Other bills introduced included the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026, the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, the Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2026, the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026. No divisions were recorded. During question time, members questioned the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh on three occasions about his handling of veterans' concerns, Member McIntosh raised housing rental costs citing industry projections, and Helen Haines asked the Minister for Communications about the delayed Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill, receiving an acknowledgement that it would return for consideration soon.
Questions
Housing
Member McIntosh asked the Minister for Housing whether they were 'damn proud' of Labor's tax policies, citing claims from Ray White that rents could surge by 30 per cent. The response recorded shows only interjections from members, with no substantive ministerial response captured.
Veterans
McCormack questioned whether Minister Keogh was upholding the Defence Veterans' Covenant Oath, citing veteran complaints of being treated with contempt. Keogh deflected from the specific accusation by discussing systemic failures across multiple governments and initiatives like the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, without directly addressing the allegations of contempt.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025
Helen Haines asked why the government is delaying the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill, which has been on the Notice Paper for over a year and has strong support. Minister Anika Wells acknowledged the bill's importance for regional communities like Indi, thanked Haines for her constructive amendments, and stated the government will bring it back for detailed consideration soon, citing the need to assess industry readiness for the December 2027 start date as the key factor in timing.
Veterans
Thompson questioned why the Minister for Veterans' Affairs had not directly contacted Renee Wilson, CEO of the Families of Veterans Guild, about a discussion paper on allied health changes before announcing it in question time. The minister acknowledged having previous engagements with Wilson and stated they would be consulting with the veteran community through a discussion paper process, though they had not yet had a direct conversation with her about the specific paper.
Veterans
Michael McCormack questioned Matt Keogh's suitability as Veterans' Affairs Minister, citing criticism from a veterans' advocate who accused the minister of failing to uphold Defence values. Keogh acknowledged the veteran's tragic circumstances and Navy's apology, expressed understanding of the veteran's concerns, but did not directly address the question of whether he should continue in the role, instead pivoting to his ongoing work improving support systems for veterans and their families.
Veterans
Liberal member Phillip Thompson asked whether Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh was calling a veteran a liar after the minister disagreed with the veteran's characterisation of their meeting conduct. Keogh deflected by stating they meet regularly with veterans and respect their positions, but declined to discuss the specific details of individual meetings in parliament.
Economy
Spender asked the Treasurer whether the government would implement stronger regulatory reform mechanisms such as a dedicated review committee, deregulation targets, or a dedicated minister. Chalmers acknowledged the existence of a Minister for Better Regulation (Katy Gallagher) and highlighted the government's broader economic reform agenda, but did not directly address the specific proposals for a regulatory review committee with ERC-level importance or hard deregulation targets.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Opposition member Angus Taylor called for the Prime Minister to sack the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, citing multiple alleged failures in handling veterans' issues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese deflected the call for dismissal by expressing confidence in the minister and pivoting to broader statements about respecting veterans and acknowledging inherited challenges from the previous government.