Portfolio — 20 August 2026

Assistant Minister Julian Hill advanced two significant bills through the House on 19 August, spanning both his customs and international education portfolios. The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 progressed from second reading through consideration in detail to third reading, while the Universities Accord Opening the Doors of Opportunity Bill received its second reading with sector endorsement.

**Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026**

Hill's second reading speech framed the bill as giving law-enforcement agencies expanded powers to target proceeds of crime from illicit tobacco, amending the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act for enhanced surveillance and strengthening the Proceeds of Crime Act with new search-warrant and examination powers [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s134].

He highlighted enforcement results including disruption of over 30 tonnes of illicit tobacco containers and seizure of more than a kilotonne at the border, and praised Queensland and South Australia for adopting tough licensing regimes and landlord penalties that have closed illegal shops [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s134]. The portfolio's approach combines stricter regulation with $98 million to states and territories and $280 million for Commonwealth enforcement [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s134].

During consideration in detail, Hill rejected an amendment to bring tobacco manufacturing equipment within a border-control framework. He said the Australian Border Force advises against the measure because such equipment is inherently multipurpose, serving pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemical processing, and warned that a regulatory regime would divert resources from container inspections [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s088].

He noted his office has consulted the Cancer Council, which broadly accepts the current posture. The House then agreed to the third reading motion [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s089], and Hill presented a replacement explanatory memorandum for the bill.

**Universities Accord Opening the Doors of Opportunity Bill**

Hill said the bill will provide an extra $3.6 billion in managed-growth funding to support an additional 230,000 commencing students over the next decade, creating a needs-based funding system he described as a "Gonski for universities" [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s099]. The legislation gives the Australian Tertiary Education Commission authority to set annual international student place numbers for eligible providers.

Hill quoted James Cook University: "The Bill has the potential to introduce fairness into educational outcomes by addressing the failed market dynamics in the higher education system that has for too long disadvantaged regional people and places" [TA-260819-house-e023dad986e7:s099]. He noted the University of Tasmania called the bill "one of the most important improvements to university funding in a generation." After the second reading, the government will move amendments to correct minor drafting issues, and the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee will hear from the sector on Monday.

**Synthesis**

The day's proceedings show Hill operating across both portfolios with a consistent approach: prioritising enforcement and managed-growth models over new regulatory regimes. On illicit tobacco, the portfolio backs seizure operations and expanded law-enforcement powers while declining to extend border controls to manufacturing equipment. On universities, the government channels funding through a central commission with authority over international student places, favouring managed growth over market-driven expansion.

The legislative action follows the recent appointment of the Hon Peter Gutwein as Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council, extending the portfolio's focus on community safety and public health by targeting organised-crime profits.