COMMITTEES

Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Resources and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (16:30): I present six government responses to committee reports as listed on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard.

Leave granted. The documents read as follows— Dear President, I am writing to advise you that the Australian Government responded to Recommendation 2 of the Australian Greens' Dissenting Report to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025 through debate in the Senate on 1 July 2026.

I have enclosed the relevant Hansard extract from 1 July 2026. I have copied this letter to Senator Marielle Smith, Chair, Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee. Yours sincerely, Senator Clare, Minister for Education _____ Australian Government response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee report: Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025 AUGUST 2026 Introduction On 5 February 2025, the Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025 (the Bill) was introduced into the Senate by Senator Jacqui Lambie, Senator for Tasmania.

On 12 February 2025, the Senate referred the Bill to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (Committee) for inquiry and report. The inquiry lapsed at the end of the 47th Parliament. Following the 2025 federal election, the Bill was reintroduced into the Senate and referred again to the Committee for inquiry and report.

The Committee received seven submissions. On 18 March 2026, the Committee tabled its report titled Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025. This Committee recommended that the Senate not pass the Bill.

The Committee's report includes dissenting recommendations from Senator Lambie. This document provides responses to Senator Lambie's recommendations. In addition, the Government notes that, on 15 April 2026, the independent Remuneration Tribunal issued a public statement that it will undertake reviews of remuneration arrangements for secretaries and full-time office holders.

As part of its public statement, the Tribunal said that it recognises the strong public interest in the remuneration of senior public officials and is committed to ensuring arrangements remain fair, transparent and aligned with contemporary expectations. The Tribunal intends to complete the reviews by mid-2027. Dissenting Report Recommendations—Senator Lambie Recommendation 1: A performance audit of the Remuneration Tribunal be conducted by the ANAO.

Response: Noted The Australian Government notes this recommendation. The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Parliament. Under section 8 of the Auditor-General Act 1997 (the Act), the Auditor-General has complete discretion in the performance or exercise of their functions or powers, including audits they chose to conduct.

The Act also provides that, in performing or exercising their functions or powers, the Auditor-General must have regard to the audit priorities of the Parliament as determined by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA). In addition, the Auditor-General receives requests for audit from individual members and senators of the Parliament. The Auditor-General responds to requests and publishes the request and response on the Australian National Audit Office's website.

The JCPAA is also notified of each request. Recommendation 2: A detailed review of the processes and operation of the Remuneration Tribunal should be undertaken to ensure its activities are appropriate and consistent with community expectations. Response: Noted The Australian Government notes this recommendation.

The Remuneration Tribunal is an independent statutory authority established under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. The Tribunal consists of three part-time members, and is responsible for determining, reporting on or providing advice about remuneration for a range of key Commonwealth offices within its jurisdiction. The statutory independence of the Tribunal ensures that matters relating to the remuneration of public offices are determined at arm's length from government, parliament and the judiciary.

The Tribunal plays a critical role in providing transparency and confidence to the public relating to remuneration arrangements of key Commonwealth offices, while ensuring the public sector can attract and retain the right people for these important roles. The Australian Government respects the independence of the Tribunal, including in relation to its operations. _____ Australian Government response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee report: Access to Australian Parliament House by lobbyists 2026 The Government notes all recommendations in the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee report: Access to Australian Parliament House by lobbyists.

Recommendations Recommendation 1: The Committee recommends the Australian Government commission an independent review of the Lobbying Code of Conduct to consider: an expanded definition of a lobbyist introducing legislation to require all lobbyists to adhere to the Lobbying Code of Conduct and maintain registration on the Register of Lobbyists, and the most appropriate body to administer the Lobbying Code of Conduct and the Register of Lobbyists at a Commonwealth level.

Recommendation 2: The Committee recommends that the Department of Parliamentary Services and the administrator of the Lobbying Code of Conduct explore opportunities for regulatory interoperability to improve the effective regulation of lobbyists including appropriate procedures for managing respective notifications received, regardless of whether the Lobbying Code of Conduct is a voluntary or legislated scheme.

Recommendation 3: The Committee recommends that the Department of Parliamentary Services restore the unescorted day pass for persons who require only occasional access to Australian Parliament House. Response: Noted. The Australian Government welcomes the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee's report.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, wrote to the Presiding Officers to express the government's clear view that there should be greater transparency and rigour around sponsored passes, particularly for professional lobbyists. That letter was tabled in the Parliament. The Government notes the Presiding Officers approved revisions to the Australian Parliament House Private Area Access Policy in June 2026.

The new policy acts on the government's calls for greater transparency and rigour. This reform is the most significant of its kind. It goes beyond any measures implemented since the opening of Parliament House over 35 years ago.

It is fair, transparent, and in line with community expectations. The revised policy sets the standard for anyone who is conducting business or lobbying activity in parliament house. This is not a short-term fix; it is a considered and enduring reform.

Access to Parliament House and Australia's parliamentarians plays an essential role in Australia's vibrant democracy. Arrangements for access to Parliament House are a matter for the Presiding Officers. Lobbying is a legitimate and important part of the democratic process.

Lobbyists can help individuals and organisations communicate their views on matters of public interest to the government and, in doing so, improve outcomes for individuals and the community as a whole. The Lobbying Code of Conduct (Code) promotes trust in the integrity of government processes and ensures that contact between third-party lobbyists and Government representatives is conducted in accordance with public expectations of transparency, integrity and honesty.

This includes making clear to government representatives who are approached by third-party lobbyists whose interests the lobbyists represent so that informed judgments can be made about the outcome they are seeking to achieve. The Code sits within a broader integrity and transparency framework, including the Code of Conduct for Ministers, the Public Service Act 1999 and APS Employment Principles, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act2018 (which also regulates lobbying activities), the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), disclosure requirements for political donations in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The revised policy strengthens regulatory interoperability between the Code and sponsored access passes for third-party lobbyists. Under the revised policy, third-party lobbyists who have a business need to access private areas of Parliament House are required to apply for a Federal Registered Lobbyist Pass. Eligibility for this pass includes registration on the Australian Government Register of Lobbyists and ongoing compliance with the Code.

Labor Senators Additional Comments Recommendation 1: Labor Senators recommend that the Presiding Officers oversee the Department of Parliamentary Services to ensure that orange pass applicants are made aware of the Register of Lobbyists and can consider if the Code applies to their activities in Parliament. Recommendation 2: Labor Senators also firmly support the restoration of the unescorted day pass for persons who require only occasional access to Australian Parliament House for the reasons outlined in the Chair's report.

However, Labor Senators believe their restoration needs to be weighed up by Presiding Officers alongside a current assessment of any arising security risks or concerns. Response: Noted. Access to Parliament House and Australia's parliamentarians plays an essential role in Australia's vibrant democracy.

Arrangements for access to Parliament House are a matter for the Presiding Officers. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, wrote to the Presiding Officers to express the government's clear view that there should be greater transparency and rigour around sponsored passes, particularly for professional lobbyists. That letter was tabled in the Parliament.

The Government notes the Presiding Officers approved revisions to the Australian Parliament House Private Area Access Policy in June 2026. The new policy acts on the government's calls for greater transparency and rigour. This reform is the most significant of its kind.

It goes beyond any measures implemented since the opening of parliament house over 35 years ago. It is fair, transparent, and in line with community expectations. The revised policy sets the standard for anyone who is conducting business or lobbying activity in parliament house.

This is not a short-term fix; it is a considered and enduring reform. The revised policy strengthens regulatory interoperability between the Code and sponsored access passes for third-party lobbyists. Under the revised policy, third-party lobbyists who have a business need to access private areas of Parliament House are required to apply for a Federal Registered Lobbyist Pass.

Eligibility for this pass includes registration on the Australian Government Register of Lobbyists and ongoing compliance with the Code. The Attorney-General's Department is continuing to work with the Department of Parliamentary Services to improve awareness of Code obligations among pass holders and applicants. Dissenting report from Senator David Pocock Recommendation 1: The definition of lobbyist should be expanded so that all lobbyists, including in-house lobbyists, are on the Register of Lobbyists and subject to the Lobbying Code of Conduct.

Recommendation 2: The Lobbying Code of Conduct should extend to include interactions between lobbyists and all parliamentarians. Recommendation 3: The Lobbying Code of Conduct must be legislated and include appropriate penalties for breaches. Recommendation 4: An independent regulator should be appointed and properly resourced to oversee the Lobbying Code of Conduct and Lobbyist Register.

Recommendation 5: Details of sponsored passes should be published, included the name of the passholder, the passholder's employer and the identity of the sponsoring parliamentarian. Recommendation 6: A model should be developed for monthly publication of Ministerial diaries. The starting point for design of that model should be the system currently in force in Queensland.

Recommendation 7: Establish a Whistle-blower Protection Authority to ensure that whistle-blowers using parliamentary privilege are adequately protected. Response: Noted. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, wrote to the Presiding Officers to express the government's clear view that there should be greater transparency and rigour around sponsored passes, particularly for professional lobbyists.

That letter was tabled in the Parliament. The Government notes the Presiding Officers approved revisions to the Australian Parliament House Private Area Access Policy in June 2026. The new policy acts on the government's calls for greater transparency and rigour.

This reform is the most significant of its kind. It goes beyond any measures implemented since the opening of Parliament House over 35 years ago. It is fair, transparent, and in line with community expectations.

The revised policy sets the standard for anyone who is conducting business or lobbying activity in parliament house. This is not a short-term fix; it is a considered and enduring reform. The revised policy strengthens regulatory interoperability between the Lobbying Code of Conduct (Code) and sponsored access passes for third-party lobbyists.

Under the revised policy, third-party lobbyists who have a business need to access private areas of Parliament House are required to apply for a Federal Registered Lobbyist Pass. Eligibility for this pass includes registration on the Australian Government Register of Lobbyists and ongoing compliance with the Code. The Code promotes trust in the integrity of government processes and ensures that contact between third-party lobbyists and Government representatives is conducted in accordance with public expectations of transparency, integrity and honesty.

This includes making clear to government representatives who are approached by third-party lobbyists whose interests the lobbyists represent so that informed judgments can be made about the outcomes they are seeking to achieve. The Code sits within a broader integrity and transparency framework, including the Code of Conduct for Ministers, the Public Service Act 1999 and APS Employment Principles, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act2018 (which also regulates certain lobbying activities), the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), disclosure requirements for political donations in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Ministerial diaries may be published under the FOI Act. Access to Parliament House and Australia's parliamentarians plays an essential role in Australia's vibrant democracy. Arrangements for access to Parliament House are a matter for the Presiding Officers.

The Government is committed to strengthening protections for Commonwealth public sector whistleblowers through staged reform of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (PID Act). The first stage of public sector whistleblowing reforms in 2023 made significant improvements to the PID Act in line with the commencement of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

On 10 September 2025, the Government released an exposure draft Bill for public consultation on a second stage of reforms. The exposure draft Bill proposed establishing a new Whistleblower Ombudsman within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, clarifying and strengthening protections for disclosers who act within the PID framework, and ensuring that that the rights, obligations and procedures in the PID Act are clear and accessible.

The Treasury is also conducting a statutory review into Australia's tax and corporate whistleblowing frameworks contained in the Corporations Act 2001 and the Taxation Administration Act 1953. The review will consider whether current protections available to whistleblowers are adequate. _____ Australian Government response to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee's Inquiry report: Current and Proposed Sexual Consent Laws in Australia AUGUST 2026 Introduction The Australian Government is grateful to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee (the Committee) for its Inquiry into current and proposed sexual consent laws in Australia.

The Australian Government is committed to an Australia that is free from sexual violence. The Australian Government thanks the committee for identifying several areas where improvements can be made to strengthen the legal frameworks in relation to sexual consent and to support victim-survivors of sexual violence through clearer processes and better services. The report makes 17 recommendations.

The Government has carefully considered these recommendations and agrees to one recommendation, agrees in principle to five recommendations, and notes 11 recommendations. This whole-of-government response to the Committee's 17 recommendations was coordinated by the Attorney-General's Department (AGD), with contributions from: Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Education, the Office for Women in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC), the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, Universities Australia and the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSV Commission).

The Australian Government's response has been endorsed by the Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP; the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher; the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP; the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP; the Minister for Communications, the Hon Anika Wells MP the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP; and the Assistant Minister for Social Services, the Prevention of Family Violence, the Hon Ged Kearney MP.

On 6 August 2026, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, the Hon Patrick Gorman MP approved the response for tabling in the Federal Parliament. Together, our response to these recommendations reaffirms the Australian Government's ongoing commitment to work collaboratively with states and territories to strengthen and harmonise laws relating to sexual assault and consent, and to improve justice outcomes for victim-survivors across Australia.

Furthermore, with commitments made under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, its associated Action Plans and Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036, we affirm our collective commitment to a country free of gender-based violence—where all people live free from fear and violence and are safe at home, at work, at school, in the community and online.

In addition, the Australian Government recognises that respectful relationships education is a key long-term prevention measure to change harmful attitudes and increase understanding on issues such as consent and healthy, safe relationships. Australian Government response to the recommendations of the Inquiry report Committee Recommendation Government Response 1 5.7 The Committee recommends that, in all responses to sexual violence, governments and non-government organisations ensure that the agency of victim-survivors is paramount, actively respected and upheld.

The Australian Government agrees to recommendation 1. The foundation of the Australian Government's strategy to address domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) is demonstrated in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 (the National Plan) and will also be demonstrated in the Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices, previously known as the First Nations National Plan).

These strategies set the national policy agenda guiding the work of Commonwealth, state and territory governments, family safety experts, and front-line services. The experiences of victim-survivors are an essential and guiding focus in the development and implementation of the National Plan, and its underpinning Action Plans, in line with the National Plan's cross-cutting principle that policies and programs are informed by the diverse lived experiences of victim-survivors.

The National Plan recognises that victim-survivors should be at the heart of solutions because of their specific and contextual expertise that comes from lived experience of abuse and violence. The voices and lived-experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim- survivors will guide the development of Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices. Consultations have been completed which included dedicated consultations focused on sexual violence with victim-survivors, and their advocates.

Victim-survivors and their advocates were represented on the three expert advisory bodies established by DSS to advise the Australian Government and inform development of the National Plan and underpinning Action Plans: the National Plan Advisory Group, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council on family, domestic and sexual violence and the Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices Steering Committee.

Formal mechanisms for ongoing engagement with victim-survivors at the national level have also been developed by the DFSV Commission. The DFSV Commission has established a national Lived Experience Advisory Council to amplify the voices of people with lived or living experience of DFSV. The Lived Experience Advisory Council provides advice to the DFSV Commission to help improve DFSV policies, systems and services, and monitor implementation and progress towards the objectives of the National Plan.

Further, on 23 January 2024, the Australian Government announced the establishment of a sexual violence lived experience Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for two-years to ensure the views and voices of victim-survivors were centred throughout the 12-month ALRC inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence, and in the Australian Government's consideration of its recommendations.

On 6 March 2025, coinciding with the tabling of the ALRC's inquiry report: Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence (the ALRC report), the Australian Government announced a $21.4 million initial funding package as part of a phased response to the ALRC's report. The funding package includes $1.2 million to extend the scope and duration of the EAG to provide advice to the Australian Government on responses to, and implementation of, the ALRC's recommendations, and for other targeted consultation to inform .longer-term responses to the ALRC report. 2 5.17 The Committee recommends that Australian jurisdictions that have recently legislated an affirmative consent model, design and implement a framework for the evaluation of that standard, with outcomes to be reported to the Standing Council of Attorneys-General and the Australian Law Reform Commission, to inform all Australian governments about the impacts of an affirmative consent model in sexual consent laws and to assist the Australian Law Reform Commission in conducting its review process (referred to below).[] The Australian Government notes recommendation 2.

Building a shared evidence base to inform future policy and law reforms aligns with key national priorities under the SCAG Work Plan to Strengthen Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault 2022-27 (SCAG Work Plan). The Australian Government notes that apart from its limited responsibility for sexual offences, the states and territories have primary responsibility for the legislation and legal frameworks relating to sexual violence, including the legal definition of consent.

Design and implementation of an evaluation framework for a legislated affirmative consent model is a matter for each state and territory government. The ALRC report recommends that jurisdictions that have recently adopted affirmative models of consent, or that are proposing to do so, should evaluate these reforms within five years of the reforms commencing (including Tasmania, which has had an affirmative model of consent since 2004 and should conduct a review within a reasonable timeframe).

The ALRC recommends that SCAG commission, and ensure appropriate funding for, the AIC to prepare the evaluation criteria and conduct the evaluation. The AIC should provide the results of the evaluation to SCAG to consider the adoption of a nationally harmonised affirmative model of consent. Responses to the ALRC's recommendations are still being considered, including under the auspices of SCAG, and are being informed by targeted stakeholder consultations, including continued engagement with the EAG, other sectoral stakeholders and states and territories. 3 5.18 The Committee recommends that state and territory evaluations of the impact of affirmative consent models is an annual standing item on the agenda of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General The Australian Government notes recommendation 3.

The Australian Government is leading national efforts to improve justice system responses to sexual violence, including by partnering with the states and territories to improve victim-survivors' experiences through the existing program of work under the auspices of the SCAG Work Plan. The Australian Government notes that outcomes from implementing recommendation 3 will be primarily dependent on the states and territories' agreement to, and implementation of, recommendation 2.

The Australian Government further notes that standing agenda items are subject to the agreement of all SCAG participants. 4 5.29 The Committee recommends that the Australian Law Reform Commission includes an affirmative consent standard in any proposal to harmonise Australia's sexual consent laws and taking into account the evidence of the operation of recently adopted affirmative consent laws.

The Australian Government notes recommendation 4. The Commonwealth Attorney-General directed the ALRC to consider this Committee's report and recommendations as part of the terms of reference for the Commission's inquiry into justice responses to sexual assault, including consideration of recommendation 4. The ALRC inquiry commenced on 22 January 2024 and concluded with the final report being tabled on 6 March 2025.

Recommendation 35 of the ALRC's report provides that jurisdictions that have recently adopted affirmative models of consent, or that are proposing to do so, should evaluate these reforms within five years of the reforms commencing (including Tasmania, which has had an affirmative model of consent since 2004 and should also conduct a review within a reasonable timeframe) to ensure that a best practice affirmative model of consent is identified for the purposes of national harmonisation. 5 5.30 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government responds to recommendations made by the Australian Law Reform Commission, within six months of the Commission presenting its report.

The Australian Government notes recommendation 5. On 22 January 2025, the ALRC concluded its 12-month inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence. The ALRC's report was tabled on 6 March 2025.

The report makes 64 inter-related recommendations that are expansive and complex, recommending substantial reforms which cut across all jurisdictions' criminal and civil justice systems, including service delivery networks. On 6 March 2025, as part of a phased response to the ALRC's report, the Government announced $21.4 million (over 3 years) to provide immediate, targeted action to improve access to the justice system for victim-survivors.

The measures will also further strengthen the evidence base to help pave the way for longer term systemic changes. In recognition of the complexity of the recommendations, the Australian Government is engaging broadly with stakeholders to inform the development of longer-term responses to the recommendations. This includes consultation with states and territories under the auspices of the SCAG, and with sectoral and expert stakeholders, including the EAG.

Responding to the ALRC's recommendations will require careful calibration to balance the needs of victim- survivors while upholding the rule of law and principles of procedural fairness and right to a fair trial for the accused. Responding to the ALRC's report will build on and complement the Australian Attorney-General Department's leadership to improve the way the justice system deals with sexual violence through the existing program of work under the SCAG Work Planand initiatives under the National Plan. 6 5.36 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government provides ongoing funding for research into the prevalence of sexual violence in Australia and the impact of responses to it, including through regular surveys of students (including those living in university residences) and young people.

The Australian Government agrees in principle to recommendation 6. The Australian Government recognises data and research are crucial to understanding the prevalence of sexual violence, evaluating the efficacy of responses and interventions, and informing future initiatives to improve criminal justice systems. The Australian Government also recognises that universities and peak bodies have a role in funding research pertinent to safety and wellbeing of their students.

Under the National Plan, the Australian Government is funding a range of surveys and research that will contribute to building the evidence base on the nature and extent of sexual violence victimisation and perpetration in Australia. The following actions of the First Action Plan 2023-2027 under the National Plan directly relate to this recommendation:  Action 2: Improve the national evidence base by working towards consistent terminology and monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and by strengthening collection and sharing of data and evidence, and  Action 6: Improve action to prevent and address sexual violence and harassment in all settings, across the four domains of the National Plan.

The Australian Government is funding a range of initiatives that will contribute to the response to this recommendation including:  the Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey (PSS) which provides national prevalence rates on sexual violence and sexual harassment in Australia (including for young people).  the first National LGBTIQA+ Sexual Violence Survey, undertaken by the University of New South Wales.

This builds on PSS data and provides information on prevalence rates, social norms, attitudes, beliefs, bystander actions, and help-seeking behaviours in LGBTIQA+ communities.  the National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey referenced in the Committee's report, to be delivered by Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS).

Additional funding for ANROWS through the National Priority Research Fund may also include further research on sexual violence.  interactive dashboards on DFSV data in Australia delivered by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The AIHW has also developed a website to host DFSV data and reports.  engagement of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to deliver a national survey to explore secondary school students' understanding and experience of consent and respectful relationships education.  a second wave of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study which provides evidence on the prevalence, nature, and impact of all five forms of child maltreatment, including child sexual abuse.

The Australian Government also funds the AIC which undertakes and disseminates research on crime and justice through its core appropriation. Family, domestic and sexual violence is one of AIC's seven current research priorities. As part of its Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Research Program, it is undertaking a number of research projects into sexual violence, including research to understand the relationship between pornography use and other online activities and sexual violence, research into alternative reporting processes for sexual violence, and research examining restorative justice measures for domestic, family and sexual violence.

Additionally, the Australian Sexual Offence Statistical (ASOS) collection was established by the AIC to monitor the extent and nature of sexual offending across the country. The collection brings together police-recorded data on sexual offences for which one or more offenders were proceeded against, as well as the characteristics of alleged offenders and victims.

The AIC received funding under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) for a pilot project to establish the ASOS collection and has since extended the project. The Australian Government also funds the eSafety Commissioner, who has the legislated core function to undertake research under the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth). A central objective of eSafety's research program is to generate robust, person-centred evidence on the prevalence, nature and impact of online harms in the Australian community.

This includes dedicated research into technology-facilitated forms of sexual violence, informed by national surveys, analysis of data from eSafety's reporting schemes and collaboration with external subject matter experts. Current and planned research streams include examination of the scope and context of online sexual harassment, online grooming type behaviours, image-based abuse and sexual extortion.

This research aims to strengthen the evidence base to inform prevention, policy, regulatory and service responses, and to ensure that stakeholders have access to timely, actionable insights into forms of technology facilitated sexual violence. The Australian Government notes recommendation 6 also aligns with Priority 3.1 of the SCAG Work Plan, which focuses on strengthening national datasets, sharing research and learnings, and the commissioning of academic research where needed to build a shared evidence base that informs best practice policy development, implementation and evaluation.

The Australian Government also notes the commitment of Universities Australia to conduct a redesigned National Student Safety Survey (NSSS), and notes that Universities Australia should continue to play a role in the survey of students on the prevalence of sexual violence. 7 5.43 The Committee recommends that state and territory governments, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develop and deliver materials to provide people who report sexual assaults with appropriate guidance and information, including:  an explanation of how a complaint will be investigated;  an explanation of how the criminal justice system operates;  the purpose of giving evidence-in-chief and cross examination;  the level of detail required for evidential purposes; and  the obligation on the accused's legal representative to challenge evidence.

The Australian Government notes recommendation 7. While this recommendation is for the consideration of state and territory governments, the Australian Government notes the risk of re-traumatisation that victim-survivors may experience when appropriate guidance and information is not provided throughout the criminal justice process. The ways that victim-survivors are supported and guided through the criminal justice system also varies across jurisdictions.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of collaboration to ensure that victim-survivors receive appropriate guidance and information at every stage of the criminal justice process. Recommendation 20 of the ALRC's report recommends that federal, state and territory police agencies, the Offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and state and territory courts ensure their online information on processes about sexual offence matters: a. is easy to find b. explains to complainants what they can expect from the process c. provides information about all trauma-informed and culturally-informed processes, including the availability of flexible evidence measures d. is accessible to screen readers e. is available in an accessible format, including in easy read and audio or video format with captioning f. is available in multiple languages g. is kept up to date.

Longer term responses to the ALRC's recommendations are being considered, including under the auspices of the SCAG, and are being informed by targeted stakeholder consultations, including continued engagement with the EAG, other sectoral stakeholders and states and territories. The Australian Government further notes recommendation 7 aligns with Priorities 1.2 and 1.3 of the SCAG Work Plan,which focus on strengthening evidence admissibility and increasing procedural protections for vulnerable witnesses, including victim-survivors giving evidence in criminal proceedings. 8 5.45 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government assess the success of pilot projects for specialised and trauma-informed legal services and, if successful, fund an expansion of the provision of such services for the benefit of victim-survivors.

The Australian Government agrees in principle to recommendation 8. The Australian Government recognises the importance of evaluating the success of the specialised and trauma-informed sexual assault legal services pilot. An outcome from the pilot will include evidence about the impact of the specialised and trauma-informed legal services for victim-survivors, which will support future policy development and service delivery, and build sector capacity.

In initial response to the ALRC's report, the Australian Government announced a $19.6 million national expansion of the legal services pilot over three years from 2025-26 to all 8 states and territories, in addition to an expansion of the services being trialled under the pilot, and evaluation. Between November 2025 and May 2026, the Australian Government progressively established the legal services pilots across all states and territories, completing the national expansion. 9 5.52 The Committee recommends that the state and territory governments consider establishing a restorative justice pilot program and a specialist sexual violence court pilot for sexual offending, to explore more sensitive and trauma-informed approaches to sexual violence in the criminal justice system.

The Australian Government notes recommendation 9. While this recommendation is for the consideration of state and territory governments, the Australian Government recognises alternative justice approaches to sexual violence, including restorative justice and specialist court approaches, offer potential benefits for victim-survivors who choose to utilise such pathways.

The Australian Government further notes the importance of evaluating new policies and programs to build on existing research and data, consistent with Priority 3.1 of the SCAG Work Plan. The Attorney-General's Department and the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) jointly engaged the Central Queensland University College of Law and Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research to undertake research throughout 2022 and 2023, which culminated in the October 2023 publication, Specialist Approaches to Managing Sexual Assault Proceedings: an Integrative Review.

The AIC has completed a detailed evaluation of Phase Three of the ACT's Restorative Justice Scheme, which involved the expansion of the Scheme to include domestic, family and sexual violence. Further research has also examined referral processes for domestic, family and sexual violence matters into restorative justice programs, and victim-survivor perspectives on the operation of these programs.

As part of an initial phased response to the ALRC's report, the Australian Government announced $19.6 million funding in the 2025-26 Budget for a national expansion of the specialised and trauma-informed sexual assault legal services pilot. The scope of services under the pilot were also expanded to include support to access restorative justice pathways. 10 5.59 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government, through the Police Ministers Council, develops principles to guide ongoing specialist education and training to state and territory law enforcement officers, to ensure culturally appropriate and trauma-informed responses to victim-survivors of sexual assault.

The Australian Government agrees in principle to recommendation 10. As noted in the Committee's report, the Australian Government committed $4.1 million over four years from 2022-23 to enhance the effectiveness of police responses to family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) through the development and delivery of a national training and education package, as a measure under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022—2032.

The package builds on existing training in the states and territories, seeking to enhance law enforcement's response through increasing awareness of coercive control as a dynamic that almost always underpins family and domestic violence, and improving recognition of indicators to identify subtler FDSV behaviours, including through the use of technology facilitated abuse.

It will also include content on culturally safe policing. The AIC completed a review of existing literature on police training in responding to family, domestic and sexual violence to underpin the design of training. A Project Manager, Training and Education Designer, Evaluation Organisation and an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation have been engaged to be part of the development of the training package.

The eSafety Commissioner is providing expertise and developing content on technology facilitated abuse. An academic institution was engaged to undertake community focused consultation with people with lived experience to contribute to areas of focus and case studies for the training, and a team of FDSV specialists have been engaged to co-facilitate the training with police nationally.

This training package commenced rollout on 28 April 2026 in South Australia. The Australian Government continues to advocate for the development of specialist education and training for law enforcement in FDSV through its leadership on the Police Ministers Council. The Australian Government recognises that the development and delivery of culturally appropriate and trauma-informed training is essential and will consider whether further action can be taken in relation to this recommendation as the existing training measures progress.

Chapter 7 of the ALRC's final report makes several recommendations in relation to people who work in the criminal justice system or who have relevant involvement in sexual violence matters including judicial officers, court staff, prosecutors and in-house witness assistance officers, defence lawyers, and police officers. The ALRC recommends that those who work in the criminal justice system or who have relevant involvement in sexual violence matters should receive education about myths and misconceptions and training about trauma-informed and culturally safe practices.

The ALRC also recommends that police agencies be mandated and funded to ensure all police officers receive this education and training, but that it also be tailored to reflect the tasks performed by specialist police officers and general duty police officers (recommendation 12). The Government is carefully considering the ALRC's report and will work closely with states and territories, experts and people with lived experience through the EAG to consider longer-term responses. 11 5.69 The Committee recommends that the Attorney-General's Department, in collaboration with the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration and other relevant stakeholders, develops and delivers a National Sexual Violence Bench Book, to assist judicial officers to recognise and respond to sexual violence in a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed manner.

This resource should specifically address rape myths and misconceptions. The Australian Government agrees in principle to recommendation 11. The Australian Government recognises sexual violence occurs in contexts other than family and domestic violence, and these contexts give rise to distinct social and legal issues.

The Australian Government will commence consultations with AIJA and other relevant stakeholders to explore options to develop and deliver guidance to assist judicial officers to recognise and respond to sexual violence in a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed manner. Consultations with AIJA will consider options to develop a new National Sexual Violence Bench Book or to expand the existing National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book to specifically address matters related to sexual violence, including rape myths and misconceptions.

Outcomes will require additional resources and will be subject to future funding agreements. The Australian Government notes the existing National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book raises commentary on sexual violence in the context of family and domestic violence or intimate partner relationships. Examples include:  Section 4.1—Myths and misunderstandings: addresses the myth that domestic and family violence does not include sexual assault.  Section 3.1.2—Sexual and reproductive abuse: summarises sexual abuse and the types of behaviours that may occur.  Chapter 9—Responses to the criminal justice system: considers the treatment of bail, evidence and sentencing in offences committed in the context of domestic and family violence or where there has been intimate partner abuse.  The case database includes some criminal and family law cases that consider sexual violence in the context of family and domestic violence or an existing or past intimate partner relationship.

As noted at paragraph 5.67 of the Committee's report, chapter 5 of the National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book titled Fair hearing and safety, discusses the courtroom experiences of victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, which are issues which could also apply to victim-survivors of sexual violence. As noted at paragraph 3.83 of the Committee's report, the Australian Government committed $12.6 million over five years from 2022-23 for the delivery of domestic, family and sexual violence education and training for frontline workers, health professionals and the justice sector.

This included $1.1 million for the Attorney-General's Department to develop and deliver a new national justice sector education and training package on the nature and impacts on sexual assault. As part of this package, the Attorney-General's Department engaged the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) which has developed and delivered a national foundational education resource on sexual assault myths and misconceptions.

The resource improves knowledge and understanding in the justice sector about the dynamics of sexual assault and its impacts on victims, and the dispelling of common myths and misconceptions. It was informed by consultation with a range of key stakeholders including specialised professionals in the justice system, sexual assault service providers, peak bodies and advocacy organisations, and key experts.

The resource was completed in June 2024 and was published online in December 2024. To further improve the judiciary's understanding of the nature and impact of sexual violence, the Attorney-General's Department also separately engaged the National Judicial College of Australia (NJCA) and AIJA to deliver a national judicial training package and national judicial conference in 2024, respectively. 12 5.73 The Committee recommends that the Australian Law Reform Commission considers whether model jury directions should be developed as part of any initiative to harmonise Australia's sexual consent laws.

This model should include express requirements as to the timing and circumstances in which jury directions must be given. The Australian Government notes recommendation 12. The Commonwealth Attorney-General directed the ALRC to have reference to this Committee's report and recommendations as part of the Commission's terms of reference for its inquiry into justice responses to sexual assault.

In its report, the ALRC recommends SCAG establish an appropriately funded expert multi-disciplinary working group to produce a model bill containing jury directions to address myths and misconceptions in sexual offence trials, to be enacted by each state and territory (the Model Jury Directions Bill). Recommendation 22 of the ALRC's report also recommends the NJCA, the AIJA, the Judicial College of Victoria, and the Judicial Commission of New South Wales, in collaboration with relevant experts, be funded to publish a National Judicial Bench Book to support and complement the Model Jury Directions Bill recommended under recommendation 21 of the ALRC's report.

The Government is carefully considering the ALRC's report and will work closely with states and territories, experts and people with lived experience through the EAG to consider longer-term responses. 13 5.85 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government, through the Education Ministers Meeting and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, develops a strategy and delivers funding (in conjunction with the states and territories) for upskilling the education workforce, to achieve the consistent and effective delivery of comprehensive Respectful Relationships Education in Australian schools.

This should include consideration of mandatory education in the Initial Teacher Education Curriculum. The Australian Government agrees in principle to recommendation 13. Respectful Relationships Education Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum was endorsed by all education ministers on 1 April 2022.

The Health and Physical Education (HPE) is the main curriculum area for addressing respectful relationships education and this content was updated and strengthened by the explicit inclusion of the skills and understandings required for respectfully seeking, giving and denying consent in an age-appropriate way. This recommendation will be addressed through implementation of the Australian Government's Consent and Respectful Relationships Education (CRRE) $83.5 million Budget measure, which is underway.

Through this measure, funding of $77.6 million over five years (from June 2024) will be provided to states and territories and the non-government school sector to support schools to deliver age appropriate, evidence-based and expert-developed CRRE. Eligible activities include upskilling the education workforce through professional learning and development, including supporting the implementation of whole school approaches to support the delivery of respectful relationships education, including through quality third party providers.

The Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, Monash University, completed a Rapid Review of how consent and respectful relationships education programs are currently being taught in schools, and has supported the initial development of the National RRE Framework, including through completing a rapid review on current RRE delivery, literature review, and initial consultations.

The Department of Education has finalised the Framework in consultation with relevant stakeholders nationally, and the Framework was publicly released on 11 March 2026. The Framework will provide guidance for schools and school systems on the planning and delivery of age-appropriate, evidence based and expert-developed RRE. . . Initial Teacher Education Curriculum Under the nationally-agreed Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs: Standards and Procedures, Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs must prepare ITE students for the school curriculum and learning areas of their chosen discipline and/or stage of schooling.

This includes the respectful relationships and consent education components of the Australian Curriculum version 9.0. The December 2023 addendum to the Accreditation Standards and Procedures mandated core content must be embedded into ITE programs by the end of 2025. The core content is evidence-based and covers what every teacher should learn to be prepared for the classroom and best support students.

In October 2024, Education Ministers Meeting agreed to commence work to embed Respectful Relationships training in ITE programs. 14 5.87 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government considers ongoing funding as a National Partnership Payment, to sufficiently resource those elements of Australian Curriculum 9.0 that provide for Respectful Relationships Education, including through a strategic investment in workforce development.

Particular consideration should be given to addressing long-standing concerns about under-funding in public schools and the need to additionally resource specialist third-party providers. The Australian Government notes recommendation 14. The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to get all government schools on a pathway to full and fair funding.

Through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreements, signed by all states and territories, the Government will deliver an additional $16.5 billion over ten years for public schools—getting all schools in the country to the Schooling Resource Standard. The Australian Government is supporting schools to deliver evidence-based, age-appropriate and expert-developed consent and respectful relationships education in primary and secondary schools through the Consent and Respectful Relationships Education initiative (see the Australian Government's response to Recommendation 13 for further information):  $77.6 million will be provided to support school sectors to invest in high quality, age-appropriate, consent-based respectful relationships education and protective behaviour programs in primary and secondary schools.  This initiative is being guided by the National Respectful Relationships Education Expert Working Group in collaboration with experts and representatives from state and territory governments, the National Catholic Education Commission and Independent Schools Australia.

Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum was endorsed by all education ministers on 1 April 2022. The Health and Physical Education is the main curriculum area for addressing respectful relationships education, and this content was updated and strengthened by explicit inclusion of the skills and understandings required for respectfully seeking, giving and denying consent in an age-appropriate way.

The Personal, Social and Community Health focus area includes content about respectful relationships, including negotiating consent, managing relationships online and offline, and dealing with relationships when there is an imbalance of power. The Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 includes Curriculum Connections that support educators to see the relationships across the curriculum across various themes, including Online Safety and Respectful Relationships.

The Online Safety resource was developed in consultation with the eSafety Commissioner and the Respectful Relationships was developed in collaboration with Our Watch. 15 5.97 The Committee recommends that Universities Australia conducts a second National Student Safety Survey, with survey results made publicly available no later than 2025, and commits to conducting a national student safety survey on an ongoing basis every three years, to provide all stakeholders with up-to-date and accurate information about sexual violence on campus.

This survey should encompass students of all ages on campus, including 17-year-old students who are at no less risk of sexual harm by virtue of not yet being 18. The Australian Government notes recommendation 15. The Australian Government notes the commitment of Universities Australia to conduct a redesigned National Student Safety Survey building on the 2016 and 2021 NSSS surveys.

Data and research are crucial to understanding the prevalence of sexual violence in the higher education sector and students' experiences of support and reporting pathways. As part of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education, agreed to by all Education Ministers on 23 February 2024, the Australian Government introduced legislation to establish a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (National Code).

On 25 August 2025, the legislation passed the Australian Parliament. The legislation is a key step to enable the Minister for Education to make the National Code and to set the standards and requirements that higher education providers, registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, must meet to proactively prevent and respond to gender-based violence. 16 5.119 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government implements an independent taskforce with strong powers, to oversight universities' policies and practices to prevent and respond to sexual violence on campus and in residences.

The Committee recommends that the taskforce provides:  an effective and accessible complaints process;  meaningful accountability for both universities and residences if standards are not met; and  transparency around which institutions are providing appropriate and effective responses and prevention initiatives. The Australian Government notes Recommendation 16.

In response to Priority Action 5 of the Australian Universities Accord Review Panel's Interim Report, in August 2023 the Australian Government established a cross-jurisdictional Working Group to provide advice on concrete actions to strengthen university governance, with addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment as an urgent priority. On Friday 23 February 2024, Education Ministers agreed to the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education (Action Plan).

The Action Plan was developed in close consultation with states and territories and with victim-survivor advocates, student leaders, subject matter experts, staff representatives, student accommodation providers and the higher education sector. Public consultation occurred between November 2023 and January 2024. The Action Plan is a multi-pronged approach with seven key actions to drive change.

These include: 1. the establishment of a National Student Ombudsman 2. that higher education providers must implement a whole-of-organisation approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence 3. the introduction of a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (National Code) 4. enhancing the oversight and accountability of student accommodation providers 5. further work to identify opportunities to ensure legislation, policies and regulations enable providers to prioritise victim-survivor safety 6. increasing data transparency and scrutiny 7. regular review of progress against the Action Plan.

Through the 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government committed $19.4 million over two years from 2024-25 to establish the National Student Ombudsman as an ongoing function (Action 1 under the Action Plan) and $18.7 million over four years from 2024-25 to introduce the National Code (Action 3 under the Action Plan). The National Student Ombudsman commenced operation on 1 February 2025 and provides a dedicated and trauma-informed escalated complaints pathway for all higher education students.

A draft of the National Code was tabled in Parliament on 6 February 2025, and on 25 August 2025 the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Act 2025 (Act No. 34 of 2025) and the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2025 (Act No. 35 of 2025) passed parliament and received Royal Assent on 28 August 2025.

This legislation enabled the Minister for Education to formally make the National Code on 17 October 2025. The National Code sets mandatory requirements across seven standards that higher education providers registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), must meet to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including in student accommodation.

The National Code will fill gaps in the current regulatory architecture for student and staff safety to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence and ensure higher education providers' study, work, living and social environments are safe, respectful and inclusive. The National Code recognises the unique role that higher education providers must play in driving broader social change to address gender-based violence, and the distinct responsibilities they hold in relation to creating safe study, work, social and living environments.

The National Code came into effect on 1 January 2026 for providers that are Table A Providers and Table B Providers under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth), and from 1 January 2027 it will commence for all other Providers registered under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (Cth). The National Code will be regulated by a new specialist branch established in the Department of Education, the Higher Education Gender-based Violence Regulator (GBV Regulator).

The GBV Regulator will conduct targeted compliance, support providers through education and engagement across the sector, and collect annual data on gender-based violence in higher education. The GBV Regulator will work closely with the National Student Ombudsman and TEQSA to ensure a coordinated approach. 17 5.121 The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth government commissions an independent review of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency's response to sexual violence on university campuses.

The Australian Government notes Recommendation 17. The Australian Universities Accord Panel has undertaken a holistic review of Australia's higher education system to drive lasting and transformational reform across the sector. As part of that review, the Accord Panel considered the regulatory system.

The Accord Panel found TEQSA has been successful in establishing a set of minimum standards and enforcing a baseline for provider behaviour, but its powers need to be reviewed regularly and adjusted as necessary to allow it to become an agile and forward-leaning regulator. The Accord Panel provided its final report to the Australian Government in December 2023.

The Minister for Education announced the Australian Government's intent to consult on strengthening TEQSA's powers on 19 August 2025. As noted in response to Recommendation 16, the Australian Government is taking urgent action to address these issues through the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education (Action Plan) as agreed to by Education Ministers.

The Action Plan includes the establishment of a National Student Ombudsman and a new National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. _____ Australian Government response to the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia's First Report on the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool August 2026 Introduction On 11 October 2022, the then Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP, referred an inquiry into the operation and implementation of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool (the pool) to the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia (the Committee).

The Australian Government acknowledges the Committee's first report on the pool released in March 2023. The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) has been operating the pool since 1 July 2022, as legislated by the previous Government. The pool is designed to improve the affordability of household, strata and small business property insurance policies in cyclone-prone areas, which are primarily located in Northern Australia.

Treasury is currently undertaking a legislated review of the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003 (the Act). The Australian Government's response to the first report reflects that the statutory review of the Act is ongoing and has had regard to some of the report's recommendations. Consideration is also ongoing as to how best to tackle the interrelated issues of rising natural hazard risk and insurance affordability, in the context of the Australian Government's other priorities such as its housing agenda.

The Australian Government has implemented several reforms related to these policy areas, including: Establishing the Disaster Ready Fund, to deliver $1 billion over 5 years from 1 July 2023 on projects to support communities to reduce risks and better prepare for natural hazards. This flagship program is ensuring that Australia is better prepared and more resilient in the face of more intense and more frequent weather events.

Founding the Hazards Insurance Partnership, to facilitate insights between the insurance industry and Government and create a shared understanding of natural hazard risk and appropriate risk reduction measures across Australia. Forming the Insurance Affordability and Natural Hazard Risk Reduction Taskforce (IANHRRT), led by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to advise on measures that could help reduce risk and improve insurance affordability and coverage.

The Government is considering the advice of IANHRRT and working with relevant agencies and stakeholders on how it can further improve natural hazard risk and insurance affordability. The Government is also undertaking measures to improve consumer outcomes in home insurance. The Government announced as part of Budget 2026-27 that it will develop and consult on options to improve clarity around the basis of home and contents premiums and it will legislate standard definitions of natural hazard terms used in property insurance contracts.

Response to the recommendations Recommendation 1 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government ensure that future releases of modelling are provided well in advance of key dates in the ongoing roll-out of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation. Recommendation 2 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government review: the availability and coverage of insurance in Northern Australia, specifically the insured versus the uninsured, including non-participation; and the impact of the 48-hour clause on the cost of insurance premiums for Northern Australians, and the availability of insurance in the region as part of the built-in review in 2025, and adjust this clause if necessary.

Australian Government response The Australian Government supports this recommendation. Treasury is currently undertaking a review of the Act, which includes in its terms of reference to review whether the cyclone reinsurance pool is meeting its purpose of improving insurance access and affordability for households, small businesses, and residential and commercial strata with medium to high cyclone and related flood damage risk.

It is also considering whether the 48-hour clause should be extended. Treasury will provide a report to the Government in due course. Recommendation 3 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to monitor the cyclone insurance markets in Northern Australia, and report on: instances where thin markets may be impacting both insurance coverage and cost; and market participation, specifically under-insurance and the issue of lack of insurance in some areas Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been directed to monitor the prices, costs, and profits of home, contents, strata, and certain commercial insurance policies, before and after the cyclone reinsurance pool was introduced. The ACCC collects data and information from insurers to: evaluate the impact of the cyclone reinsurance pool assess whether savings are passed through to policy holders.

The ACCC is required to provide a report on their monitoring at least once each calendar year from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2026. Recommendation 4 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government announce a position on the inclusion of marine insurance in the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation.

In September 2025, the Government announced that small business marine property insurance policies will not be included in the cyclone pool because modelling shows it would have a negligible impact on affordability and potentially lead to an increase in costs. Recommendation 5 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government facilitate a coordinated approach to land use planning, building codes, mitigation and disaster resilience that includes the National Emergency Management Agency and other levels of government.

Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation. The Australian Government supports improving resilience, access to risk information and insurance outcomes for all Australians. The Australian Government is considering how best to address the interrelated issues of reducing natural hazard risk, improving emergency management and improving insurance affordability.

The advice of the IANHRRT and the Independent Review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding (Colvin Review), and analysis such as the National Climate Risk Assessment, are all part of these considerations, as are other Government priorities such as its housing agenda. The Australian Government will continue to work with relevant departments and stakeholders to ensure further initiatives in relation to these policy issues are well calibrated.

Recommendation 6 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government's 2025 review of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool consider: evidence and data on whether to 'sunset' the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool's coverage of policies for new builds past a certain date; and how to reinforce the policy objective of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool to move to parity of cost and access for all Australians.

Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation. The Australian Government is currently undertaking a review of the Act, which includes in its terms of reference consideration of the objectives of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool and in consultation questions whether new builds should be excluded from the pool. Treasury will provide a report to the Government in due course.

Recommendation 7 The Committee recommends that future reviews of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool consider the sum insured limit under the business property policy. Australian Government response The Australian Government supports this recommendation. The Australian Government is currently undertaking a review of the Act which includes in its consultation questions whether the sum insured limit for SMEs remains appropriate.

Treasury will provide a report to the Government in due course. _____ Australian Government response to the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia: Final Report on the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool August 2026 Introduction The Australian Government acknowledges the Final Report of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia (the Committee) on the operation and implementation of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool (cyclone pool).

The Committee was appointed by resolution of the Senate on 3 August 2022 and resolution of the House of Representatives on 4 August 2022 to inquire into and report on matters relating to the development of Northern Australia, as may be referred to it by either House of the Parliament or a Minister. On 11 October 2022, the then Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, the Hon Stephen Jones MP referred to the Committee to inquire into and report on the operation and implementation of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool.

The Committee held public hearings on 25 November 2022, 19 April 2024 and 7 February 2025. The Committee tabled its Final Report in March 2025. The Australian Government commenced a review of the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003 on 30 September 2025, which includes the cyclone reinsurance pool.

Treasury will provide a report to the Government in due course. The Australian Government's response to the final report reflects that the statutory review of the Act is ongoing and has had regard to some of the report's recommendations. Consideration is also ongoing as to how best to tackle the interrelated issues of rising natural hazard risk and insurance affordability, in the context of the Australian Government's other priorities such as its housing agenda.

The Australian Government has implemented several reforms related to these policy areas, including: Establishing the Disaster Ready Fund, to deliver $1 billion over 5 years from 1 July 2023 on projects to support communities to reduce risks and better prepare for natural hazards. This flagship program is ensuring that Australia is better prepared and more resilient in the face of more intense and more frequent weather events.

Founding the Hazards Insurance Partnership, to facilitate insights between the insurance industry and Government and create a shared understanding of natural hazard risk and appropriate risk reduction measures across Australia. Forming the Insurance Affordability and Natural Hazard Risk Reduction Taskforce (IANHRRT), led by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to advise on measures that could help reduce risk and improve insurance affordability and coverage.

The Government is considering the advice of IANHRRT and working with relevant agencies and stakeholders on how it can further improve natural hazard risk and insurance affordability. The Government is also undertaking measures to improve consumer outcomes in home insurance. The Government announced as part of Budget 2026-27 that it will develop and consult on options to improve clarity around the basis of home and contents premiums and it will legislate standard definitions of natural hazard terms used in property insurance contracts.

Response to the recommendations Recommendation 1 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government must proceed with the planned legislated review of the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool in 2025. Australian Government response The Australian Government supports this recommendation. The Australian Government commenced a review of the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003 on 30 September 2025, which includes the cyclone reinsurance pool.

Treasury will provide a report to the Government in due course. Recommendation 2 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government publish modelling on the cost and benefits of the inclusion of marine insurance in the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool. Australian Government response The Australian Government supports this recommendation.

In September 2025, the Government announced that small business marine property insurance policies will not be included in the cyclone pool because modelling shows it would have a negligible impact on affordability and potentially lead to an increase in costs. The Australian Government published modelling to support this decision. Recommendation 3 The Committee strongly recommends that the Australian Government support an ongoing, national resilience program on a permanent basis.

Recommendation 4 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government consider a range of measures to improve resilience and mitigation of high-risk homes in Northern Australia, including: providing targeted tax offsets for eligible households in Northern Australia; and providing direct subsidies to eligible households in Northern Australia. Australian Government response The Australian Government notes these recommendations.

The Australian Government established the Disaster Ready Fund to deliver $1 billion over 5 years from 1 July 2023 on projects to support communities to reduce risks and better prepare for natural hazards. Recommendation 5 The Committee recommends the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, in its insurance monitoring role, investigate the impact of current taxation methods on insurance premium pricing.

Recommendation 6 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government fund the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to continue its insurance monitoring role until at least 2030. Recommendation 7 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government fund and expand the remit of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to examine the extent to which insurers are reducing insurance premiums in response to mitigation and resilience measures.

Australian Government response The Australian Government notes these recommendations. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been directed to monitor the prices, costs, and profits of home, contents, strata, and certain commercial insurance policies, before and after the cyclone reinsurance pool was introduced. The ACCC collects data and information from insurers to: evaluate the impact of the cyclone reinsurance pool assess whether savings are passed through to policy holders.

The ACCC is required to provide a report on its monitoring at least once each calendar year from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2026. Recommendation 8 The Committee recommends that the Australian Government publish the report of the 2025 scheduled review into the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003 once the report is finalised. Australian Government response The Australian Government notes this recommendation.

Treasury will provide a report to Government in due course. The Government will consider its response upon receiving Treasury's report.