Summary
Among the bills introduced were the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026, which creates dedicated criminal offences for match-fixing and related conduct; the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026, which amends higher education funding and student access arrangements; the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026, which expands regulatory powers over tax practitioners; the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026, establishing a dedicated funding mechanism for childcare worker wages; the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; the Carbon Credits and Other Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Transparency) Bill 2026; and several other bills covering administrative review, social security, foreign relations, and crimes law. No divisions were held. During question time, opposition members questioned the Prime Minister and Treasurer on debt levels and budget assumptions, and two questions directed to the Minister for Veterans Affairs challenged the government over a cap on allied health services for veterans, with opposition members citing RSL Australia's opposition to the measure.
Questions
Labor Government
Taylor asked the Prime Minister to quantify Labor's debt costs per minute, citing various economic challenges. Albanese did not directly answer the specific question about per-minute debt costs, instead providing a broader defense of Labor's fiscal management by citing budget surpluses, debt reductions, international credit agency assessments, and criticizing the Coalition's unfunded promises.
Economy
Tim Wilson asked why the government won't support a coalition proposal for a future generations fund to use windfall resource revenue to pay down debt. Treasurer Jim Chalmers deflected from directly addressing the proposal, instead defending the government's debt management by comparing Australia's debt ratios favorably to other G20 nations and arguing that most current debt was accumulated by the previous coalition government.
Economy
David Farley questioned Treasurer Jim Chalmers about whether budget assumptions on rents, house prices, and startups were intentionally wrong or due to a lack of understanding. Chalmers deflected from the specific budget criticism by attacking One Nation's position on housing policy and aligning them with the Liberal and National parties, without directly addressing the accuracy of the May budget's economic assumptions.
Veterans
McCormack challenged the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to name a single ex-service organisation supporting the government's cap on allied health services for veterans, citing RSL Australia's opposition. Keogh deflected from directly answering the challenge, instead emphasizing the government's engagement with veteran groups and framing the measure as expanding access by increasing allied health professionals and removing treatment cycle requirements.
Veterans
Michael McCormack questioned the Minister for Veterans' Affairs about a cap on veterans' allied health care, stating it was not recommended by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, and asked who developed Labor's plan to cut $750 million from veterans' allied health support. The minister did not directly address the cap or identify who brought forward the plan, instead emphasizing the government's commitment to implementing royal commission recommendations and noting that the measure includes increased fees for allied health professionals.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Member Melissa Price asked Minister Matt Keogh why they were delaying the release of a women veterans strategy and accused them of gaslighting female veterans. The minister did not directly address the delay allegations but instead explained that the Department of Veterans' Affairs has been consulting with women veterans and Defence to develop the strategy, describing it as complex work that needs to be done properly.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
Member Steggall asked what additional measures the government will implement to address violence against women and girls, citing recent high-profile cases. Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the severity of sexual violence in Australia, cited rising reported rates and the involvement of young perpetrators and victims, and referenced ongoing consultation on a second National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, though the response was cut off before detailing specific new measures.
Veterans
Phillip Thompson called for the Prime Minister to sack Minister for Veterans Affairs Keogh, citing a veteran's complaint about difficulties dealing with the minister. Prime Minister Albanese deflected from directly addressing the call for the minister's removal, instead highlighting government investments in veterans' support including $16 billion for compensation claims and responses to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi)
Sophie Scamps asked whether the government would expel the Israeli ambassador following Israel's decision not to investigate the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and colleagues. Prime Minister Albanese condemned Israel's decision as falling short of expected accountability and detailed diplomatic efforts made, including calling in the Israeli ambassador, but did not directly answer whether Australia would expel the ambassador.
Government debt and spending
The member for Goldstein asked why the government won't support the Coalition's Future Generations Fund to use windfall resource revenue for debt reduction. Treasurer Chalmers deflected by criticizing the Coalition's fiscal record, highlighting Australia's strong credit rating and low debt-to-GDP ratio compared to peers, and claiming the government has reduced debt trajectory and interest payments inherited from the previous government, without directly addressing the specific proposal.
Budget assumptions wrong
The member for Farrer challenged the Treasurer over budget assumptions regarding rents, house prices, and investment, asking whether the outcomes were intentional or a failure of understanding. The Treasurer deflected from the specific budget criticisms by attacking One Nation's housing policy positions and comparing them to the Coalition, without directly addressing the accuracy of the budget assumptions or their consequences.
Veterans allied health cap
The member for Riverina challenged the minister to name a single ex-service organisation supporting the allied health cap for veterans, citing RSL Australia's opposition. Minister Keogh did not directly answer the challenge, instead emphasising the government's commitment to increasing allied health access and stating they would continue engaging with veteran organisations to ensure continuity of care.
Women's Veterans Strategy
The member for Durack asked why the minister was delaying the release of a women's veterans strategy, citing complaints from Women's Veterans Australia that progress had stalled. The minister acknowledged the importance of developing a women's veterans strategy to address gaps in support for female veterans, but did not directly answer why the strategy had not yet been released, instead explaining that the work was complex and ongoing across multiple departments.
Women's Safety
The member for Warringah asked what additional measures the government will take to address women's safety following recent high-profile cases of violence and sexual assault. Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged the severity of the issue, cited rising sexual violence statistics, and referenced consultation on the Second National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, though the response did not articulate specific new policy measures or commitments.
Israeli ambassador expulsion
The member for Mackellar asked whether the government would expel the Israeli ambassador following Israel's decision not to investigate the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankham and colleagues. Prime Minister Albanese condemned Israel's decision as falling 'far short of accountability' and outlined diplomatic pressure the government has applied, including calling in the Israeli ambassador, but did not directly answer whether Australia would expel the ambassador.