Summary
The Senate sat on 9 September 2026. Two bills were introduced: the Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026, which expands grounds for removing or disqualifying individuals from leadership roles in workplace organisations under the Fair Work Act 2009; and the Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026, which gives the Online Safety Commissioner stronger powers to penalise social media platforms that fail to enforce minimum age requirements under the Online Safety Act 2021. No divisions were held. In question time, senators directed multiple questions to Minister Wong about a $6 million Commonwealth grant to Marrickville Golf Club, asking whether it was the only organisation invited to apply for funding under a $560 million program and whether the Prime Minister declared a conflict of interest; Wong said the grant followed proper processes under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles and that the Prime Minister was not the decision-maker. Minister Gallagher faced questions on gender-based violence, referencing $4.4 billion in frontline services, the Leaving Violence payment, and paid domestic violence leave, while declining to commit to specific timelines on Law Reform Commission recommendations. Minister Wong also addressed questions about discretionary trust tax changes and their potential effect on families.
Questions
Fiscal Policy
Senator McGrath asked why the Prime Minister's local golf club was the only one invited to apply for a $560 million community infrastructure program and received a $6 million grant. Senator Wong responded that the grant was part of public election commitments delivered through proper processes following the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, distinguishing between open competitive grants and election commitments that members of Parliament are entitled to make.
Prime Minister
Senator Scarr asked whether the Prime Minister declared a conflict of interest regarding Marrickville Golf Club before committing $6 million in Commonwealth funding, given conflicting reports about his membership status. Minister Wong deflected from the core question by emphasizing the low cost of social membership ($5 for two years), noting the Prime Minister was not the decision-maker on the grant, and referencing other grants to community organizations, without directly addressing whether a conflict of interest declaration was made.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
Senator Waters asked when the government would implement Law Reform Commission recommendations on justice system responses to sexual assault and fund prevention programs, noting 39,758 sexual assault victims last year. Minister Gallagher acknowledged the issue as a whole-of-government priority and referenced ongoing consultations on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, but did not directly commit to timelines for implementing specific recommendations or provide detailed funding commitments.
International Relations: Australia and Israel
Senator Thorpe questioned why the government will not pursue a full ban on imports from Israeli settlements, citing concerns about unintended consequences, and challenged the government's approach compared to the UK, France and Canada. Minister Wong deflected from directly addressing the specific unintended consequences, instead outlining existing Australian sanctions regimes against entities in the West Bank and reiterating the government's opposition to settlement expansion and support for a two-state solution.
Taxation
Senator Blyth questioned whether the government's discretionary trust tax changes would penalise families for adding newborn children to family trusts, citing concerns about unintended consequences. Minister Wong acknowledged the consultation process was ongoing with multiple options being considered, emphasised the government's broader commitments to supporting families through tax cuts and healthcare measures, and reframed the discussion around the minimum 30 per cent tax on discretionary trust distributions commencing in 2028, rather than directly addressing the specific scenario raised.
Workplace Relations
Senator Payman asked about stakeholder consultation on the government's Fair Work Court proposal, union standing in small-claims proceedings, and the timeline for legislation. Minister Watt confirmed the government is delivering a Fair Work Court to help low-paid workers access justice for wage theft, but did not directly address the specific questions about consultation progress, union standing, or legislative timeline.
Veterans: Health Care
Ross Cadell asked why the Albanese government has allowed veterans to struggle for healthcare and whether Minister Keogh remains fit for purpose, citing a wounded Afghanistan veteran's frustration and recent veteran protests over a $5,000 threshold policy. Minister Wong deflected from directly addressing the minister's fitness for purpose or the specific $5,000 threshold, instead emphasizing the government's respect for veterans, noting that some changes have already been made and that consultations are underway with veteran service organisations.