Summary
Ten bills were introduced in the Senate on 10 September 2026. These included the Protecting Australians from Foreign Terrorist Fighters Bill 2026, which proposes new and amended offences relating to Australians joining terrorist organisations overseas; two versions of the Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026, which would give the eSafety Commissioner stronger powers to penalise social media platforms that fail to enforce age restrictions; two versions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax Adviser Misconduct and Other Measures) Bill 2026, targeting misconduct by tax professionals; the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026; two versions of the Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026, aimed at streamlining border inspection processes under the Biosecurity Act 2015; the Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; and the Statute Update Bill 2026. No divisions were held. In question time, Senators Ruston and Paterson questioned Minister Wong about the Prime Minister's statements regarding a $6 million grant to Marrickville golf club and the decision-making process behind it. Senator Faruqi asked about trade with Israeli settlements and settler violence, with Minister Wong citing existing targeted sanctions. Senator Hume questioned the government on inflation and fiscal policy settings, and Senator Hanson asked Minister Farrell about differing superannuation flexibility arrangements for parliamentary staff compared with other workers.
Questions
Fiscal Policy
Senator Ruston asked Minister Wong whether the Prime Minister was truthful about his relationship with Marrickville golf club, citing a 2019 video of him saying he'd been using the club for decades and promising funds to it, contradicting recent parliamentary statements. Minister Wong deflected by referring to the Prime Minister's own answers and characterized the $6 million grant as delivery of an election commitment, without directly addressing the apparent contradictions raised.
Fiscal Policy
Senator Paterson asked whether the Prime Minister raised a $6 million commitment to Marrickville golf club with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and questioned the Prime Minister's role as a decision-maker given the department provided the project list. Minister Wong responded that the commitment was a public election commitment delivered transparently through a properly designed grants program following Commonwealth grants rules and principles, and stated the Prime Minister was not the decision-maker.
International Relations: Australia and Israel
Senator Faruqi asked whether the government would ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements like other allies have, and whether the minister agrees that settler violence constitutes ethnic cleansing and terrorism. Minister Wong responded that Australia has already imposed targeted sanctions on Israeli extremist settlers and settlement entities responsible for violence, arguing this approach is more effective than a blanket ban, and noted the UK is still working on implementing similar legislation.
Economy
Senator Hume asked when inflation would return to the Reserve Bank's target and whether the government would change fiscal policy if rates rose again, citing concerns about cost-of-living pressures and the Deputy Governor's warnings. Minister Wong deflected from direct answers on these specific questions, instead emphasizing the government's tax cuts, job creation, wage growth, and cost-of-living measures, while criticizing the opposition's record on these issues.
Superannuation
Senator Hanson asked why parliamentary staff are allowed to choose between superannuation contributions and extra salary under their enterprise agreement while the government opposes similar flexibility for ordinary Australians. Minister Farrell responded by noting the arrangement was introduced by the previous Coalition government in 2017, which Labor opposed, and pivoted to highlight the government's increase of the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent, while criticizing One Nation's record on supporting wage rises and superannuation increases.
Housing
Senator Canavan questioned how many Australians face negative equity in their homes following recent property market declines, citing analyst data showing recent buyers in major cities are underwater on their mortgages. Senator Wong deflected by citing lower negative equity figures from the Commonwealth Bank and Reserve Bank of Australia, and pivoted to criticizing the Coalition's housing policy record rather than directly addressing the specific numbers raised.