Summary
Four bills were introduced in the House of Representatives. The Firearms Legislation Amendment (Repealing Unfair Gun Laws) Bill 2026 would reverse most of a 2026 national gun buyback scheme and associated firearms import controls, retaining background check improvements and extremist material import restrictions, with the change projected to save the Commonwealth around $5.8 million per year. The Automated Decision-Making (Safeguards and Transparency) Bill 2026 would establish a mandatory framework requiring Commonwealth agencies to assess risks before automating decisions, notify affected individuals, provide explanations, and submit to Ombudsman audits. The AI Kill Switch and Data Centre Control Bill 2026 would require advanced AI developers to maintain shutdown capabilities and report critical incidents, while freezing new large-scale data centre construction pending parliamentary rule-setting. The Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers Bill 2026 would create a special account to deliver ongoing wage supplements to childcare workers. No divisions were held. During question time, the Prime Minister was asked to release housing tax modelling and defended existing negative gearing and capital gains tax settings. The Deputy Prime Minister addressed the 75th anniversary of ANZUS. The Communications Minister outlined social media age restriction outcomes and platform non-compliance. The Treasurer rejected income splitting, citing a Parliamentary Budget Office costing of over $12 billion. The Pacific Minister outlined the $600 million Wangana regional security initiative.
Questions
Housing tax modelling
The Leader of the Opposition asked the Prime Minister to release housing tax modelling to show the impact of Labor's changes on house prices. The Prime Minister did not release modelling but instead defended the policy by clarifying that negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts remain available for existing properties and new builds, and cited recent data showing record investor borrowing for new home construction.
Income splitting taxation
The Member for Kennedy argued that income splitting taxation and a $75,000 baby bonus would help struggling single-income families and boost birth rates. Treasurer Chalmers directly rejected income splitting, citing a Parliamentary Budget Office costing showing it would cost over $12 billion over the forward estimates and primarily benefit higher-income couples rather than families in need, while also noting it could discourage women's workforce participation.
Illicit tobacco organised crime
The Member for Monash asked the Prime Minister when they would join the Coalition to address organised crime gangs profiting from illicit tobacco, citing nearly 200 arson attacks in Victoria in three years. The Prime Minister responded by defending their government's enforcement record, citing $350 million in increased enforcement activity and 2.6 billion cigarettes intercepted last year, while criticizing the previous government's inaction and highlighting Queensland and South Australia's additional enforcement powers as models, though they did not directly commit to specific joint action with the Coalition.
Tobacco excise reduction
The Member for Wide Bay asked whether the Prime Minister would rule out reducing tobacco excise. Minister Chalmers did not directly answer yes or no, instead framing the government's approach as an enforcement and compliance issue, stating the government is focused on increased resources for law enforcement rather than excise changes, and noting that most excise increases occurred under the previous government.
Veterans allied health cap
The Member for Riverina challenged the Prime Minister over a $5,000 allied health cap for veterans, stating no ex-service organisations support it. Albanese defended the policy as implementing Royal Commission recommendations, increasing fees for allied health professionals, reducing GP referral burdens, and preserving access for those with clinical need beyond the cap, while exempting special rate disability pensioners and catastrophically injured veterans.
Housing
Taylor asked the Prime Minister to release Labor's housing modelling to show projected price impacts of the government's tax changes. Albanese responded by clarifying that negative gearing arrangements remain grandfathered for existing properties and that new investment in new builds still qualifies for tax benefits, citing ABS data showing record investor borrowing for new home construction in the June quarter.
Housing
Wilson questioned whether the government still stands by Treasury modelling predicting only a 2 per cent fall in property prices amid reports of a potential 40-year housing crash. O'Neil responded by citing Treasury modelling from the federal budget, which projects the tax reforms will reduce investor demand and lead to house price growth being around 2 per cent lower over a couple of years, while increasing owner-occupier numbers by approximately 75,000 over the next decade.
Taxation
Bob Katter asked the Treasurer about implementing income splitting in the tax system and a $75,000 birthing payment to help struggling families and boost Australia's birthrate. Treasurer Jim Chalmers directly rejected the income-splitting proposal, citing Parliamentary Budget Office analysis showing it would cost over $12 billion over the forward estimates and primarily benefit higher-income couples rather than families in need, while also potentially discouraging women's workforce participation.
Tobacco Control
Angus Taylor asked when the Prime Minister would admit government failings on illicit tobacco policy and join the Coalition in tackling organised crime. Tony Burke rejected the Coalition's proposed approach of reducing excise, arguing it would not address the price differential that enables illegal trade, and instead defended the government's law enforcement strategy through the national disruption group and border seizures.
Tobacco Control
The member asked when the Prime Minister would join with the coalition to combat organized crime gangs profiting from illicit tobacco, which they linked to arson attacks and violence in Victoria. The Prime Minister deflected by criticizing the previous coalition government's tobacco excise policies and highlighting their own enforcement initiatives, while praising Queensland and South Australia's approaches but not directly committing to a joint coalition effort.
Tobacco Control
O'Brien asked the Prime Minister to rule out reducing tobacco excise. The minister (responding on behalf of the government) did not directly answer yes or no, instead emphasizing that the government's priority is enforcing tobacco laws and combating illicit tobacco through $350 million in extra resourcing, while noting that the previous government implemented most recent excise increases.
Gas Industry
Elizabeth Watson-Brown asked Prime Minister Albanese whether he supports his minister's backing of the Beetaloo fracked gas project, citing climate concerns. Albanese did not directly address the specific question about the Beetaloo gas project, instead pivoting to discuss the need for firming capacity alongside renewables expansion, energy resilience, and renewable energy projects in the Pacific region.
Veterans: Health Care
McCormack questioned the Prime Minister about opposition to Labor's $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans, claiming no ex-service organisations support it. Albanese responded directly by outlining three justifications for the policy: increased fees for allied health professionals per royal commission recommendations, reduced GP referral requirements, and continued care availability for clinical needs beyond the cap, while noting exemptions for certain veteran categories.