House of Reps Summary for 20/01/2026

The proceedings of the Australian House of Representatives on 20 January 2026 began with The Speaker, Hon. Milton Dick, acknowledging the country at 09:00 (Page 0).

Condolences

• Tim Picton: A segment on “CONDOLENCES” was devoted to Mr. Tim Picton, an influential figure in the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a tribute that highlighted Picton’s political contributions and the personal impact of violence on life and loss (Page 1).

Bills

• Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026: This significant bill was introduced, aiming to address issues related to antisemitism, hate, and firearm regulation. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, represented by Gordon Reid, discussed its report, which included a dissenting opinion (Page 1).

Key Points of the Bill:

• Proposed reforms include measures for firearms licensing and a comprehensive buyback program (Tony Burke, MP for Watson, Pages 1 to 3).
• Opposition from Andrew Wallace (MP from Fisher) focused on inadequate provisions for legitimate firearm owners and the lack of consultation, emphasizing the punitive measures against responsible users (Pages 3 to 4).

Legislative Considerations

• Many opposition speakers highlighted the need for further assessment and dialogue on the bill’s implications (Pages 5 to 14).
• Urgency in passing the bill was framed against the backdrop of the Bondi attack on December 14, 2025, highlighting the necessity for protective measures against hate-driven violence (Page 22).
• Concerns were raised regarding the absence of protections against vilification beyond race and religion (Pages 29 to 34), and the speed of the bill’s progression was contested, with calls for thorough scrutiny (Pages 18-39).

Proposed Amendments

• Amendments concerning checks on individuals with violent backgrounds, particularly regarding domestic violence and firearm ownership, were also discussed (Pages 17-21).
• Nearing the session’s end, some legislative components aimed at addressing hate crimes were separated from the omnibus bill for further debate (Pages 39-39).

Final Proceedings

• The bill was ultimately read a second and third time, passing with support from the government despite opposition concerns regarding balance between community safety and civil liberties (Pages 38 to 39).

Amendment on the Australian Flag

• Mr. Thompson (Herbert) proposed an amendment to impose penalties for burning or desecrating the Australian flag, arguing its significance as a national symbol. However, the amendment did not pass, with 45 votes in favor and 94 against (Page 41).

Additional Amendments

• Ms. Rowland (Greenway) introduced two supplementary memoranda for review by the Senate committee (Page 41).
• Dr. Scamps (Mackellar) and Ms. Chaney (Curtin) proposed amendments regarding hate crime definitions and review processes for decisions made by the AFP, respectively, but both were not supported by the government (Pages 42-43).
• Mr. Joyce (New England) criticized the broad scope of the bill, proposing amendments to narrow its focus (Pages 44-45), met with similar opposition from the government.

Government’s Position

• Ms. Rowland defended the bill as crucial for addressing rising antisemitism following the Bondi attack, emphasizing the need for national unity against hate (Pages 46-58).

Natural Disaster Response

• The session also covered Australia’s strategies in response to natural disasters, featuring detailed discussions by Prime Minister Albanese on recovery efforts post-bushfires and floods (Pages 49-60).

Conclusion

• The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts to confront antisemitism, with critical questioning from members regarding government actions, culminating in the sitting’s end with acknowledgments of new members and leave of absence motions (Pages 62-64).