House of Representatives — 26 May 2026

The House of Representatives sat on 26 May 2026 for a day dominated by contested budget policy, major legislation on the NDIS and business registries, and a question time that ranged across tax, housing, energy, veterans' affairs, antisemitism and women's health.

Question time opened with a sustained exchange on the budget's capital gains tax changes. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor pressed Prime Minister Albanese repeatedly to specify which small businesses would be exempt from the proposed capital gains tax increases [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s110]. Albanese responded that existing small-business concessions remain unchanged and pointed to $3.5 billion of tax measures supporting small firms [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s124 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s126].

Opposition members interjected throughout, accusing the government of "broken promises" and higher taxes on small businesses [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s104 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s106]. Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlined the government's tax-cut package — a $1,000 instant deduction and the Working Australians Tax Offset — projecting an average worker up to $2,800 better off, and described the package as revenue-neutral over four years when linked to negative gearing and capital gains tax reforms [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s127].

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil described the 5% deposit program and measures to level the playing field at auctions, citing economist and industry support [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s129]. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed the government has accepted all 14 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism, with five classified, and announced a public tracking dashboard [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s116 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s136].

Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced electricity bill reductions under the default market offer, linking them to increased renewable generation and battery storage [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s133]. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh assured Independent MP Andrew Wilkie that the Defence and Veterans Workshop at Derwent Barracks will remain on site and that two-thirds of the Royal Commission recommendations have been implemented [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s108 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s128].

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King detailed securing over 100 million litres of jet fuel from China, a $1.1 billion sustainable aviation fuel investment and $4.8 million for regional airports affected by the Rex administration [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s135]. Health Minister Mark Butler announced a national menopause information campaign, a new Medicare assessment item used by over 105,000 women, three hormone treatments added to the PBS, and expanded clinical training [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s143].

Albanese also marked the 40th anniversary of the Australia-India Business Council [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s121 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s141].

The legislative programme centred on two substantial bills. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 drew extended debate across the chamber. The government's case rested on tightening eligibility, expanding provider registration, introducing digital payments and curbing the scheme's 22% annual growth trajectory.

Labor MP Berry endorsed the bill by reference to the 2023 Independent Review, the 2024 Provider Registration Taskforce, the 2019 ANAO report and the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s006]. Liberal MP McIntosh criticised missed growth targets and rising fraud, calling for a Senate inquiry [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s005].

Independent MP Boele proposed an amendment requiring exposure drafts, a 28-day consultation period and a disability impact statement, warning the bill could shift costs to families and state services [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s047]. Independent MP Le warned that culturally and linguistically diverse families could lose support [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s049].

Independent MP Chaney cautioned the bill may not achieve sustainability without clearer implementation details [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s051]. Liberal MP Bell flagged that the functional-capacity assessment model has not yet been developed [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s055]. Labor MP Neumann projected the scheme's cost reduction to $55 billion and described the $200 million Inclusive Communities Fund [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s048].

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026 attracted bipartisan support. Deputy Manager of Opposition Business Kevin Hogan confirmed the coalition will not oppose the bill but flagged a Senate inquiry into privacy safeguards [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s004]. The bill embeds director identification numbers into ASIC's company register, grants ASIC new digital interaction powers and removes disruptive legacy provisions from the cancelled Modernising Business Registers program [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s093 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s096].

The three Appropriation Bills were referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s001].

Budget debate in the Appropriation Bills drew sharp partisan lines. Liberal National MP Andrew Willcox warned of a $150.5 billion aggregate deficit for 2029-30 and a $28.3 billion cash deficit now [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s097]. Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie reported extensive constituent backlash over changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax, trusts and private health insurance [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s099].

Liberal MP Julian Leeser presented survey results showing majority opposition to the tax changes, describing them as a "tax assault on investment and intergenerational fairness" [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s103]. Labor MP Ali France praised the budget's $6.4 billion Working Australians tax offset, $1,000 instant deduction and major housing investments [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s102].

Members' statements mirrored the budget contest. Liberal National MP Henry Pike condemned a new 30% minimum tax on discretionary testamentary trusts as a "death tax" [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s012]. Independent MP Allegra Spender said the government's response to the Murphy report on gambling advertising was 889 days late, citing a Wentworth survey showing 90% of residents want stronger action [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s010].

Labor MP Claire Clutterham announced a $12 billion National Fuel Security Plan including a one-billion-litre fuel reserve [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s017]. Independent MP Zali Steggall described attending a MATES program for construction workers where every participant indicated personal impact from suicide [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s014]. Attorney-General Rowland reported Medicare bulk-billing at 81.9% nationally and promoted a $792 million women's health package [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s074].

In motions and matters of public importance, Tim Wilson accused the budget of broken promises on veterans, small businesses and young Australians [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s036]. Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh countered with the budget's productivity package and permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s037]. Phillip Thompson highlighted the government's cap on veterans' allied-health funding and urged action on mental-health support [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s038].

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026 was returned to the House for further consideration [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s002].

Private members' business ranged across environmental regulation, manufacturing, regional grievances and health. Bob Katter linked crocodile and shark incidents to government hunting restrictions [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s067]. Matt Gregg promoted Australian Made Week and domestic manufacturing resilience [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s068].

Sam Birrell argued Canberra's water-allocation, procurement and infrastructure policies impose excessive costs on regional communities [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s069]. Steve Georganas marked Lung Health Awareness Month and called for early detection funding [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s072].

The adjournment debate featured Independent MP Monique Ryan warning of 12-month aged-care waiting times, a 35% rise in hospitalised older Australians and gaps in price caps, calling for a binding price-cap date and human oversight of the assessment algorithm [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s061]. Labor MP Meryl Swanson highlighted ARENA-funded MGA Thermal's energy storage project and VeraSys's AI-drone for agriculture [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s064].

Government Whip Anne Stanley defended permanent residents against opposition budget-reply language [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s066].

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security tabled its review of the Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Act 2021, concluding the amendments have fulfilled their non-refoulement purpose and recommending future reviews go to a committee with a direct immigration and human-rights mandate [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s003].

The Speaker opened proceedings by announcing that Walmajarri artist Uncle John Prince Siddon's work "Numbat Night" will illuminate Parliament House for National Reconciliation Week [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s030]. Distinguished visitors included former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, former U.S. ambassadors Joe Hockey and Mick Mulvaney, and a Maronite youth delegation [TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s031 TA-260526-house-fe3d2ac10a60:s032].