Portfolio — 14 August 2026

Senator Green, the Assistant Minister for Tourism, Pacific Island Affairs and Northern Australia, conducted the Senate's legislative business on 12 August 2026, moving second reading speeches on two significant reform bills alongside procedural motions and a council appointment.

**NDIS Amendment Bill**

Senator Green moved the second reading of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 [TA-260812-senate-31781ec8c3ce:s148]. The Bill seeks to return the NDIS to its original intent of providing lifetime supports for Australians with permanent and significant disability. It gives the National Disability Insurance Agency powers to regulate and monitor over $50 billion in annual payments.

The legislation draws on recommendations from the Independent Review into the NDIS, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce.

Schedule 1 clarifies the meaning of "functional capacity" and establishes a Technical Advisory Group to advise on thresholds. It limits unscheduled plan reassessments to participant-initiated requests and creates a $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund. Schedule 2 strengthens NDIA fraud-prevention powers and extends civil penalties for non-compliance.

Schedule 3 makes the Minister the decision-maker on pricing. Schedule 4 facilitates automation of administrative actions with embedded safeguards. The government frames the amendment as securing the NDIS's sustainability, integrity and affordability for future generations.

**Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill**

Senator Green moved the second reading of the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026 [TA-260812-senate-31781ec8c3ce:s150]. The Bill amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 to address medicines shortages and discontinuations. Sponsors must notify the Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing at least twelve months before permanently discontinuing a reportable medicine.

The Bill expands the Secretary's authority to request information on any approved medicine's availability. It enables common biologicals groups to reduce duplication and industry costs, moves clinical-trial inspection powers into primary law, and updates the Medicines Watch List instrument. The accompanying Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2026 permits annual charges for grouped biologicals registration.

**Procedural Business and Council Appointment**

Senator Green moved procedural motions to discharge Senator Mulholland from the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee and appoint Senator Tyrrell as a participating member [TA-260812-senate-31781ec8c3ce:s144]. She also moved that bills proceed without formalities for first reading. Senator Green moved a motion to elect Senator Kovacic to the Council of the National Library of Australia for a three-year term [TA-260812-senate-31781ec8c3ce:s146].

The Senate agreed to all motions.