25–28 May 2026
| Download |
|---|
| Last week in Parliament no. 200 [PDF 125KB] |
House of Representatives
Bills initiated in the House
The following new Bills were initiated:
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Commission of Inquiry Bill 2026 (No. 2) – introduced 25 May 2026, Private Member’s Bill
- Human Rights Bill 2026 – introduced 25 May 2026, Private Member’s Bill
- Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sex-based Rights) Bill 2026 – introduced 25 May 2026, Private Member’s Bill
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) Bill 2026 – introduced 25 May 2026, Private Member’s Bill
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026 – introduced 27 May 2026, Government Bill
- Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026 – introduced 27 May 2026, Government Bill
- Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 – introduced 28 May 2026, Government Bill
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 – introduced 28 May 2026, Government Bill
Explanatory Memoranda are available on the Bill page.
New inquiries of House Committees
No new inquiries were announced.
Reports of House Committees
The following new report was tabled:
Petitions Committee
- Report No. 10: Petitions and Ministerial Responses – tabled 25 May 2026
Senate
Bills initiated in the Senate
The Senate did not sit last week.
New inquiries of Senate Committees
The following new inquiries were announced:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026 – date for closure of submissions to be advised
Economics Legislation Committee
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 – submissions due 9 June 2026
Reports of Senate Committees
The following new reports were tabled:
Appropriations, Staffing and Security Committee
- 70th report: Estimates for the Department of the Senate 2026–27 – tabled out of session 21 May 2026
Community Affairs References Committee
- Impact of microplastics and other toxics on human health – tabled out of session 26 May 2026
Economic Legislation Committee
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026 – Corrigendum – tabled out of session 19 May 2026
Environment and Communications References Committee
- Greenwashing [Progress report] – tabled out of session 21 May 2026
- National Cultural Policy [Progress report] – tabled out of session 21 May 2026
Joint Committees
New inquiries of Joint Committees
No new inquiries were announced.
Reports of Joint Committees
The following new reports were tabled:
Intelligence and Security Committee
- Review of the Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Act 2021 – tabled out of session 22 May 2026
Public Works Committee
- Report 3/2026: Referrals made in November 2025 – tabled 25 May 2026
Laws passed
As at the close of business on Friday, 29 May 2026, no new Bills have passed both Houses and are awaiting assent by the Governor-General.
Between the close of business on Friday 15 May 2026 and the close of business on Friday 29 May 2026, the following Bills received assent by the Governor-General:
- Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026
- Customs Legislation Amendment (False Trade Marks Infringement Notices) Bill 2026
- Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026
- Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026
- Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions Bill 2026
- Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026
Explanatory Memoranda are available on the Bill page.
Important: This material is not professional legal advice to any person on any matter. It should not be relied upon without checking. The material is provided to clients for information only. AGS is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of the content of external website links referred to within this material. Please contact AGS before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the material in this message.