Summary
The Senate introduced multiple bills including two versions of the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) (Extending Support and Strengthening Safety) Bill 2026, which would establish a dedicated funding account for childcare worker wages; three versions of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026, amending private health insurance disclosure requirements; two versions each of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans Allied Health Care) Bill 2026 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Veterans Healthcare Without Caps) Bill 2026, expanding allied health access and removing treatment spending caps for veterans; the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026, reforming higher education funding and access; and the Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill 2026. Eleven divisions were held, including votes on multiple orders for the production of documents relating to the AFP, trade unions, cybersafety, executive remuneration, waste management, and artificial intelligence, as well as a vote on the Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill's first reading, which passed 39 to 14. In question time, senators questioned Minister Wong on the Whyalla blast furnace closure and the $2.4 billion Future Made in Australia investment, Minister Watt on abandoned mandatory packaging regulations and AUKUS submarine protection funding, and Minister Farrell on the government's position regarding AI and copyright protections for Australian creators.
Questions
Manufacturing Industry
Senator Liddle questioned the government's commitment to manufacturing jobs following the Whyalla blast furnace closure and asked what taxpayers received for the $2.4 billion Future Made in Australia investment. Minister Wong deflected by criticizing the previous Liberal government's approach to the car industry and emphasizing the government's commitment to manufacturing, but did not directly address the specific question about what value was delivered for the investment or provide a dollar figure for funds that kept the furnace operating.
Taxation
Senator McDonald accused the government of deindustrialisation through energy and safeguards taxes, pointing to Whyalla's blast furnace closure and questioning the $2.4 billion bailout investment. Minister Wong deflected from the specific criticisms by emphasizing the government's commitment to maintaining domestic steel capability and willingness to invest in industrial transition, while attributing Whyalla's challenges to the previous owner's underinvestment rather than government policy.
Waste Management and Recycling: Plastic Packaging
Senator Hodgins-May asked Minister Watt why the government has abandoned its promise for mandatory national packaging regulations and whether the Prime Minister made a decision influenced by corporate donors. Minister Watt did not directly address the packaging reform question, instead pivoting to attack the Greens' environmental record and highlighting the government's investment in recycling facilities.
Defence Procurement: Submarines
Senator Lambie asked about the AFP's funding needs for AUKUS submarine protection through 2035-36 and how many sworn officers have been reassigned from other duties to HMAS Stirling. Minister Watt confirmed the 2025-26 budget allocated $199.1 million for 199 protective service officers and stated the budget has made provision across multiple years, but did not provide specific figures for future funding requirements or the number of officers reassigned from other tasks.
Artificial Intelligence
Senator Pocock asked whether the government is considering an opt-out copyright model for AI training and whether it remains committed to protecting copyright for Australian creatives. Minister Farrell acknowledged the importance of AI benefits while protecting creators' interests, but deflected on specific policy details by committing to consult with the Attorney-General and provide a detailed response later.
Migration
Senator Bell asked whether the government would adopt One Nation's policies on stopping visa hopping, restricting low-quality student visas, and questioned accuracy of migration forecasts. Minister Watt deflected by emphasizing the government's 45 percent reduction in net overseas migration and rejecting One Nation's approach as economically damaging, without directly addressing the specific policy proposals or providing current migration figures.
Housing
O'Sullivan questioned the Prime Minister about Australians trapped in mortgage stress and negative equity after buying homes under Labor, asking how many more would fall into negative equity if rates stayed high. Wong deflected from the specific question about negative equity, instead focusing on the government's housing supply strategy, tax incentives for new builds, and first home buyer schemes like the five per cent deposit scheme.