Senate Summary for 24/07/2025

Acknowledgment & Opening

Senator Sue Lines presided over the Senate session, which commenced at 09:00.

Tabling of Documents

The Clerk announced the tabling of documents as required by law. Details are recorded in the Journals of the Senate (p. 1).

Bills Introduced

Key discussions centered around the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024 (p. 1).

Second Reading by Senator Andrew Bragg (LP)

• Senator Bragg moved the second reading of the Housing Investment Probity Bill 2024 at 09:02.
• He criticized the government’s management of the Housing Australia Future Fund, stating only 300 houses were acquired from a reportedly $10 billion fund and raised concerns regarding funding abuse related to the CFMEU.
• He emphasized a lack of transparency in financial dealings and procurement processes (pp. 1-3).

Response by Senator Lisa Darmanin (ALP)

• Senator Darmanin countered the bill’s focus, noting it included ideological assertions over addressing genuine housing needs.
• She made a distinction between Cbus Super and the CFMEU, showing how the former contributes to affordable housing (pp. 3-5).

Discussion on Housing Policies

• Senators highlighted the urgency for comprehensive reforms to tackle the housing crisis.
• Barbara Pocock criticized both major parties for failing to adequately respond to issues of affordability and availability (pp. 5-7).

Amendments and Debate on Integrity in Housing

• Senator Bragg stressed the necessity of preventing taxpayer funds from reaching entities linked to the CFMEU, further highlighting claims of corruption and inflated housing development costs (p. 8).
• He pointed out the historical context of housing delivery, showing previous administrations built more houses annually compared to current outputs (pp. 8-9).

Additional Contributions by Other Senators

• Senator Pocock called out structural problems within current housing policies; Senator Sharma reiterated the affordability crisis due to housing supply issues (pp. 9-10).
• Labor, represented by Senator Darmanin, committed to comprehensive housing plans while criticizing opposition criticism (p. 10).

Discussion on Health Legislation

• The session shifted to health issues with the introduction of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025.
• Senator Ruston emphasized cross-party collaboration to enhance Medicare integrity amid criticisms of its decline since the Labor government’s tenure (pp. 25-29).

Acknowledgment of Former Members

Senator Lines recognized the passing of three former members: Petro Georgiou, Dr. Charles Thorson Mathews, and Elizabeth Robyn Truman (p. 25).

Votes and Division Reports

The Senate conducted several votes on various motions related to housing and health bills, with high opposition against suggested measures and critiques of government performance in these areas (pp. 31-34).

Final Remarks on Committee Appointments

Senator Gallagher announced new committee appointments aimed at holding the government accountable in housing and healthcare matters (pp. 26-29).

Conclusion of Proceedings

The session concluded with discussions on future inquiries into health integrity and housing availability, underscoring ongoing political engagement with these pivotal issues (p. 34).

Discussion on Medicare

• A speaker from the coalition decried the Albanese Labor government’s failure to maintain Medicare commitments, noting a decline in bulk-billing rates (Page 35).
• Support was expressed for the Health Legislation Amendment Bill, but it was mentioned that it doesn’t address the affordability crisis.

Perspectives on Health Care

• Senator Helen Polley endorsed the amendment bill while critiquing previous government neglect of Medicare (Page 39).
• Senator Richard Dowling emphasized public healthcare’s importance and contrasted Labor’s initiatives against prior coalition decisions (Page 41).
• The bulk-billing incentive was discussed in connection with the rising costs for families needing healthcare, with proposals to alleviate pressure on emergency services (Pages 43-45).

Parliamentary Questions

Various ministers faced questions about childcare safety reforms and Indigenous employment initiatives during the questions without notice segment, highlighting legislative accountability (Pages 51-63).

Discussions on Human Rights and Foreign Policy

• The report underscored national strategic partnerships, like AUKUS, amidst domestic policy challenges, prompting calls for accountability regarding spending agreements (Pages 56-57).
• Senator Pauline Hanson raised concerns about divisive practices surrounding land acknowledgments, calling for unity (Pages 64-66).
• Responses came from Senators Larissa Waters and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who defended the significance of Aboriginal acknowledgment and discussed Indigenous representation and rights (Pages 65-66).

Closing of Session

Discussions wrapped up with Senator David Pocock presenting a petition from Médecins Sans Frontières regarding the Gaza Strip (Page 84).
The session concluded at 17:47, addressing international relations, climate change, and vulnerabilities facing the Torres Strait Islands (Page 88).