COMMITTEES

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Claydon ) (09:01): On behalf of the Speaker I present report No. 14 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 7 September 2026. The report will be printed in Hansard today and the committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper.

Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The report read as follows— Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business 1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. 2.

The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 7 September 2026, as follows: Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 MR LITTLEPROUD: To present a Bill for an Act to repeal legislation relating to firearms, and for related purposes.

(Firearms Legislation Amendment (Repealing Unfair Gun Laws) Bill 2026) (Notice given 18 August 2026.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 2 MS CHANEY: To present a Bill for an Act to regulate the use of automated decision-making by the Commonwealth, and for related purposes.

(Automated Decision-Making (Safeguards and Transparency) Bill 2026) (Notice given 18 August 2026.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 3 MR GEE: To present a Bill for an Act to protect Australians from the risks of artificial intelligence and to control the construction of data centres for the safeguarding of our land and communities, and for related purposes.

(AI Kill Switch and Data Centre Control Bill 2026) (Notice given 18 August 2026.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 4 MS K COOK: To move: That this House: (1) notes that Mental Health Month is observed throughout October each year to raise awareness of mental health, reduce stigma and encourage all Australians to seek support when they need it; (2) recognises the importance of mental health to the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and acknowledges the role played by families, carers, lived experience advocates, peer workers, community organisations and health professionals in supporting Australians experiencing mental health challenges; (3) welcomes the Government's continued investment in strengthening Australia's mental health system, including through: (a) the rollout of Medicare Mental Health Centres, with more than 56 of the planned 92 centres now open nationwide, providing free, walk-in mental health support with no referral or diagnosis required; (b) the establishment of Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, providing free support for children aged 0 to 12 and their families, with 17 Kids Hubs being rolled out across the country; (c) expanding the network of headspace services and upgrading 30 centres to a new and enhanced headspace Plus model, providing young Australians with accessible mental health care, early intervention and holistic support; (d) the new national early intervention service, Medicare Mental Health Check In, providing free guided digital support and low intensity therapy to help Australians build practical skills; and (e) strengthening access to mental health care through Medicare and community-based services; (4) acknowledges that early intervention, community connection and reducing stigma are critical to improving mental health outcomes and preventing suicide; and (5) encourages all Australians during Mental Health Month to check in with family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues, seek support when they need it, and help build communities where every person feels connected, supported and able to access quality mental health care.

(Notice given 11 August 2026.) Time allotted — 40 minutes. Speech time limits — Ms K Cook — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 5 MR PIKE: To move: That this House: (1) recognises the Opposition's plan to: (a) deliver lower taxes; (b) deliver lower power prices; (c) provide more housing; and (d) put Australians first; (2) acknowledges the Opposition's plan to deliver cheaper power and more reliable energy for households, small businesses and communities; (3) highlights the Opposition's plan to deliver less migration and more homes, so housing, infrastructure and services can better keep pace with demand; (4) supports the Opposition's plan to put Australians first by: (a) managing the budget responsibly; (b) paying down debt; and (c) investing in Australia's future; and (5) calls on the Government to adopt practical policies that: (a) ease pressure on families; (b) back workers and small businesses; (c) strengthen communities; and (d) restore confidence in Australia's future.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 25 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Pike — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 6 MS CLUTTERHAM: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the significance of the recent signing of the Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement; (2) notes that this broad ranging partnership reflects: (a) the meaningful relationship between the people of Australia and Vanuatu, which is built on a desire to support Vanuatu's critical infrastructure development and economic aspirations; (b) the collaborative motivation to build climate and natural disaster resilience for the benefit of both people of Australia and Vanuatu; and (c) the recognition that when the security and sovereignty of Australia and Vanuatu is supported, the Indo-Pacific region enjoys greater stability and prosperity; and (3) affirms the Government's strategic commitment to continue to deepen Australia's security and economic relationships with our Pacific family and Indo-Pacific partners to strengthen the foundations for ongoing and sustainable regional peace and prosperity.

(Notice given 13 August 2026.) Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon. Speech time limits — Ms Clutterham —5 minutes. Other Members —5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 MR CALDWELL: To move: That this House: (1) condemns the Government's housing failures, which under this Government has seen the housing shortfall increase to 400,000 persons, roughly the population of Canberra; (2) highlights that home building has fallen to around 170,000 homes a year under the Government, down from around 200,000 homes under the previous Government; (3) recognises the Opposition's plan to: (a) restore the Australian dream of home ownership by freeing up housing stock and beginning to fix the housing shortage; and (b) cut back the 2,000 page National Construction Code, giving Australians the ability to build cheaper safe, secure, and good homes; (4) acknowledges the Opposition's commitment to overhaul our skilled migration intake so that Australia brings in people with the skills that businesses desperately need; (5) further recognises the Opposition's plan to establish a $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund to unlock up to 400,000 new homes, including in regional Australia; and (6) calls on the Government to adopt practical policies that make it cheaper, easier and faster to build new homes.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 25 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Caldwell — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 2 MS FERNANDO: To move: That this House: (1) recognises the Prime Minister's announcement that the Government will establish a new Fair Work Court; (2) notes that the aims of the Fair Work Court are to: (a) provide simpler, fairer and faster access to justice for working Australians; and (b) ensure that workers are not placed in a position where the cost of pursuing a claim exceeds the value of the claim; and (3) further notes that the: (a) Fair Work Court would be staffed by specialist judges with expertise in workplace relations; and (b) Government will consult with workers, employers and legal experts on the operation of the Fair Work Court, including how it can improve access to justice and better support workers and employers in navigating workplace disputes.

(Notice given 11 August 2026.) Time allotted — 30 minutes. Speech time limits — Ms Fernando — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 3 DR WEBSTER: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) private health insurance is an important component of Australia's health care system, providing greater choice while reducing demand on the public system; (b) more than 3.1 million Australians aged 65 years and over hold private hospital cover, with many maintaining it over decades to provide greater certainty over their healthcare as they age; (c) the Government's proposed changes to the private health insurance rebate for Australians aged 65 years and over will increase the cost of private health insurance for older Australians; (d) on 12 August 2026, National Seniors Australia (NSA) released the results of a survey examining how older Australians may respond to the proposed rebate changes; (e) of the 2,042 respondents: (i) 8.4 per cent indicated they were considering dropping their hospital cover; and (ii) 12.5 per cent were considering reducing their level of hospital cover; (f) NSA estimates that, if the survey findings were reflected across the wider population, up to 270,000 older Australians could drop their hospital cover and up to 400,000 could reduce their level of cover, significantly exceeding the Government's estimates; (g) NSA reports that the real cost could exceed $1,000 per year for a couple holding gold hospital cover; (h) older Australians, particularly pensioners and those on fixed incomes, should not have to choose between maintaining health insurance and paying for the essentials; and (i) measures that encourage older Australians to downgrade or discontinue private hospital cover risk transferring additional demand to an already stretched public hospital system, with potentially disproportionate consequences for rural and regional patients; and (2) calls on the Government to: (a) release transparent modelling of the expected impact of the changes on: (i) private health insurance premiums and participation; (ii) older Australians, including pensioners and people with gold hospital cover; (iii) the number of full aged pensioners who will be forced to pay more for private health insurance; (iv) demand for elective surgery and other services within the public hospital system; and (v) rural and regional health services; and (b) explain the discrepancy between the Government's estimated financial impact and the potential costs and behavioural responses identified by NSA.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 25 minutes. Speech time limits — Dr Webster — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 4 MS PAYNE: To move: That this House: (1) recognises that the Government is delivering the infrastructure Australia needs to support growing communities, improve road safety, strengthen productivity and build better-connected communities; (2) acknowledges that the 2026-27 budget continues the Government's long-term commitment to transport and community infrastructure that creates jobs, supports economic growth and improves the lives of Australians wherever they live, including within our territories; (3) commends the ongoing Commonwealth investment through the Infrastructure Investment Program to strengthen: (a) communities; (b) freight productivity; (c) regional connectivity; and (d) economic development across the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory; (4) notes that the Government is supporting the Northern Territory Government to deliver infrastructure that meets the territory's needs, including most recently: (a) progress on upgrades to the: (i) Santa Teresa Road, which is part of the $332 million Government investment in the Northern Territory Strategic Roads Package; and (ii) Central Arnhem Road; and (b) community infrastructure investments to deliver amenities and services in remote communities, while supporting local jobs and economic opportunities; (5) further notes that the Government is supporting the Australian Capital Territory Government to ensure Canberra's infrastructure keeps pace with the demands of a growing region, including: (a) a $50 million investment to deliver the staged duplication of Drake Brockman Drive; and (b) a further $50 million towards upgrades for the Sydney to Canberra rail corridor; and (6) further commends the Government for continuing to invest in nationally significant and local community infrastructure projects that support territory communities, regional development and economic opportunity through the 2026-27 budget and the Infrastructure Investment Program.

(Notice given 11 August 2026.) Time allotted — 30 minutes. Speech time limits — Ms Payne — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 5 MR HAMILTON: To move: That this House: (1) notes that power prices are far too high under the Government, with electricity bills increasing by around 40 per cent and Australian households spending an extra $23 billion on energy bills over the past four years; (2) condemns the Government for turning its back on affordable and reliable energy, including coal and gas, and forcing consumers to pay for higher costs and unreliable energy policy; (3) recognises individuals, families, small businesses, farmers, manufacturers and miners need affordable and reliable energy to keep household budgets under control, remain competitive and support Australian jobs; (4) calls out the Government for making Australia more dependent on imported fuel, with around 90 per cent of transport fuel now brought in from overseas, placing the economy and national security at risk; (5) supports the Opposition's plan to deliver cheaper power and energy abundance by backing all technologies that can provide affordable and reliable energy, including coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, batteries and renewables in the right places; and (6) calls on the Government to adopt practical energy policies that lower power prices, strengthen fuel security, support Australian businesses and restore Australia's energy independence.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 25 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Hamilton — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Orders of the day 1 COMMONWEALTH PRAC PAYMENT: Resumption of debate (from 17 August 2026) on the motion of Ms Fernando—That this House: (1) commends the Government for investing a further $158.4 million to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to students training in ten additional frontline health professions; (2) acknowledges that, from 1 July 2027, this expansion will build on paid prac already available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students, with around 95,000 students expected to receive support each year; (3) recognises that: (a) practical placements are a significant part of health degrees, making up more than a year of study in some courses; and (b) travel, accommodation and relocation costs can discourage students from undertaking placements in regional and remote Australia, where health workforce shortages are often most acute; (4) notes that eligible students currently receive $338.60 a week, benchmarked to the single Austudy rate and indexed annually, providing real cost of living relief while they undertake mandatory placements; and (5) further acknowledges that expanding CPP will help more students complete their qualifications, growing the health workforce Australians rely on and strengthening Medicare.

Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm. Speech time limits — All Members —5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Orders of the day — continued 1 COMMONWEALTH PRAC PAYMENT: Resumption of debate (from 17 August 2026) on the motion of Ms Fernando—That this House: (1) commends the Government for investing a further $158.4 million to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to students training in ten additional frontline health professions; (2) acknowledges that, from 1 July 2027, this expansion will build on paid prac already available to eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students, with around 95,000 students expected to receive support each year; (3) recognises that: (a) practical placements are a significant part of health degrees, making up more than a year of study in some courses; and (b) travel, accommodation and relocation costs can discourage students from undertaking placements in regional and remote Australia, where health workforce shortages are often most acute; (4) notes that eligible students currently receive $338.60 a week, benchmarked to the single Austudy rate and indexed annually, providing real cost of living relief while they undertake mandatory placements; and (5) further acknowledges that expanding CPP will help more students complete their qualifications, growing the health workforce Australians rely on and strengthening Medicare.

Time allotted — 15 minutes. Speech time limits — All Members —5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Notices — continued 6 MR KATTER: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) Australian agriculture contributes about $100 billion to Australia's economy, feeds our nation and is fundamental to the nation's food security, regional employment and economic resilience; (b) Australian farmers have some of the highest input costs in the world, such as: (i) high wages; (ii) high regulatory compliance; (iii) high freight; and (iv) high fertiliser costs; (c) Australian farmers also have some of the lowest levels of government producer subsidies and support in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, unlike counterparts in the European Union, United States of America or Japan who receive extensive state backing; (d) these conditions have made Australia highly vulnerable to agricultural imports, many of which have destroyed our Australian farms, such as the grape, apple and citrus sectors, and ultimately led to higher supermarket prices for consumers; and (e) despite the significant environmental, social and economic impacts of international agricultural imports, the Government is currently considering import applications, or allowing imports, for bananas, peanuts, pomelos, mangosteens, garlic, and ginger; and (2) calls on the Government to: (a) take immediate and decisive action to protect Australia's agricultural sector by ensuring that any import application relating to fresh produce be rejected unless it is demonstrated by the applying country that there is: (i) no biosecurity risk; (ii) no social or economic impact on Australian farmers or their communities; (iii) no difference in chemical and pesticide usage and overall environmental standards; (iv) no difference in cost of production including wages and working conditions; and (v) an overriding need and demand for the imported product; and (b) immediately introduce legislation that prohibits imports if non-compliant with international obligations including, but not restricted to, slavery, child labour and other unfair working conditions and wages, and environmental impacts including pesticide and chemical usage.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 30 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Katter — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 7 MS K COOK: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 1 July 2026 marks one year since the Government launched the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, providing a discount of around 30 per cent on the cost of a typical home battery; and (b) in that time, more than 450,000 Australian households have installed a cheaper home battery; (2) commends the Government on one year of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has delivered real cost of living relief to hundreds of thousands of Australian families and small businesses; (3) welcomes the Australian Energy Market Operator's findings last week that these batteries are already 'helping to moderate prices during evening peaks and to support grid reliability and security as coal plants withdraw'; and (4) supports the Government as it continues to make clean energy more affordable for all Australians.

(Notice given 25 June 2026.) Time allotted — 30 minutes. Speech time limits — Ms K Cook — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 8 MR VIOLI: To move: That this House: (1) notes that the Government's cost of living crisis is forcing Australians to pay more for groceries, power, insurance, mortgages and rents, while inflation and bracket creep are leaving workers worse off; (2) condemns the Government's 'inflation tax' as a stealth raid on Australians who are working hard, earning more just to keep up with inflation, and then being pushed into higher tax brackets; (3) recognises the Opposition's Tax Back Guarantee would end this dishonest bracket creep by indexing income tax thresholds to inflation, protecting 85 per cent of taxpayers from 2028-29, and all taxpayers from 2031-32; (4) calls out the Government's higher tax agenda on housing, savings, start-ups, trusts and small and family businesses, which punishes aspiration and makes it harder for Australians to work, save, invest and get ahead; (5) supports the Opposition's plan to back small business by: (a) making a $50,000 instant asset write-off permanent for businesses with turnover under $10 million; (b) expanding access to capital gains tax concessions; and (c) consulting on a new Small Business Act; and (6) calls on the Government to: (a) remove its harmful higher taxes; (b) reduce red tape; and (c) stop choosing which Australians and businesses are allowed to pursue aspiration and which are forced to carry the burden of the Government's tax agenda.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 30 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Violi — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 9 MR GEORGANAS: To move: That this House: (1) commends the Government for its Statement on Space, which provides a clear, focused, and strategic framework to support the growth and development of Australia's space industry; (2) recognises the strong partnerships, collaboration, and shared commitment among industry stakeholders, researchers, Government agencies, and commercial operators that are driving innovation across the Australian space sector; (3) acknowledges that Australia has a significant opportunity to develop trusted sovereign space services that Australians rely on every day, strengthening national capability and reducing reliance on externally controlled systems; (4) notes the potential for a commercially scalable spaceflight ecosystem that provides pathways for Australian technologies, research, and payloads to reach application and deployment, ensuring a greater share of the value generated by mission activities is retained within Australia; (5) further recognises that the development of domestic space platform capability presents opportunities to integrate Australian technologies into both Australian and international missions through satellites and multi-orbit constellations, enhancing Australia's role in the global space economy; and (6) further acknowledges Australia's unique opportunity to build on its strong and credible foundations in the space sector to participate in, and capture value from, emerging space-based industries, including in-space manufacturing and biotechnology development, where flight and return capabilities can enable the utilisation of microgravity environments for research, innovation, and commercial outcomes.

(Notice given 17 August 2026.) Time allotted — 20 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Georganas — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 10 MR SMALL: To move: That this House: (1) notes the Opposition's plan to put Australians first by: (a) managing the budget responsibly; (b) reducing debt; and (c) making sure the Government spends within its means; (2) recognises that when government spending is out of control, everyday Australians pay the price through higher taxes, higher prices and greater pressure on family budgets; (3) further notes the Opposition's plan to place a speed limit on government spending, so that the Government does not keep spending faster than the economy can afford; (4) acknowledges the Opposition's commitment to restore the tax-to-gross domestic product cap, so that: (a) Government takes less from Australians; and (b) families, workers and small businesses can keep more of what they earn; (5) further recognises the Opposition's Tax Back Guarantee and Future Generations Fund as practical measures to help pay down debt, protect taxpayers and invest in infrastructure that benefits future generations; and (6) calls on the Government to put Australians first by: (a) easing pressure on households and small businesses; (b) strengthening the budget; and (c) making responsible decisions that protect Australia's future.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — 20 minutes. Speech time limits — Mr Small — 5 minutes Other Members — 5 minutes [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 11 MR M SMITH: To move: That this House: (1) recognises that lifting productivity requires governments to remove unnecessary costs and barriers that make it harder for businesses to invest, hire and expand; (2) welcomes the Govemment's productivity reforms, including measures to: (a) make standards referenced in Australian legislation free to access; (b) reduce duplicated regulatory reporting and paperwork; (c) streamline foreign investment and major project approvals; (d) make it easier for skilled workers to use their qualifications across state and territory borders; and (e) support faster housing approvals and modern construction methods; (3) notes that: (a) national competition policy reforms are estimated to add around $13 billion to the Australian economy each year once implemented, equivalent to an average benefit of around $1,200 per household; and (b) making construction standards free will save some small trade businesses up to $1,600 each year in access fees; and (4) supports continued cooperation between the Commonwealth, states and territories to build a more seamless, competitive and productive national economy.

(Notice given 18 August 2026.) Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm. Speech time limits — Mr M Smith —5 minutes. Other Members —5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

THE HON D. M. DICK MP Speaker of the House of Representatives 19 August 2026