House of Reps Summary for 04/02/2026

The session on February 4, 2026, was presided over by Hon. Milton Dick, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Key outcomes and discussions included:

Committees and Delegation Business

• The Speaker presented the Selection Committee report No. 6, concerning the business for upcoming committee and delegation works, scheduled for February 9, 2026 (Page 1).
• A significant review was conducted by the Standing Committee on Economics of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2024, with speeches concluding by 10:20 am (Page 1).

Private Members’ Business

Noteworthy notices included:
– Flags Amendment (Protection of Australian National Flags) Bill 2026 by Mr. Conaghan (Page 1).
– Criminal Code Amendment (Flag Protection) Bill 2026 by Ms. Sharkie (Page 1).
– A motion by Ms. Templeman addressing Government initiatives for Medicare support (Page 1).

Delegation Reports

• The Speaker highlighted the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, recognizing contributions from members like Ms. Sharon Claydon and Senator Andrew McLachlan (Page 7).
• Discussions concerning Romania’s role during the Ukraine crisis and Swiss bilateral discussions on investment and democracy were noted (Page 7).

Bills Discussion

• Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026, introduced by Ms. Rowland, aimed to align Commonwealth legislation with changes in the NSW Local Court Act (Pages 8-9).
• Return of the Copyright Amendment Bill 2025 from the Federation Chamber with amendments noted (Page 9).
• Extensive debate on excise tax bills for draught beer drew community and member responses regarding the two-year excise freeze in recognition of local industries (Pages 10-20).

Health Legislation Amendment

• Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 aims to empower registered nurses to prescribe certain medications, intensifying discussions on healthcare access.
• Joe Kelly MP emphasized urgent reforms to benefit patients (Page 36).
• Kate Chaney MP raised concerns about ministerial determinations regarding prescription scope (Page 36).
• Trish Cook MP praised the reform as crucial to strengthening Medicare (Page 36).
• Diverging views were voiced by other MPs, notably Tim Wilson MP, who criticized healthcare inequity (Page 38) and Louise Miller-Frost MP advocating for increased rural healthcare access (Page 42).

Ongoing Economic and Infrastructure Discussions

• Economic management and the impact of rising interest rates were questioned by Cameron Caldwell MP, to which PM Anthony Albanese defended governmental spending and its positive economic indicators (Pages 14-17).
• Infrastructure and defence investments were highlighted in responses, affirming government commitments to regional support (Pages 60-64).

Community and Social Issues

• Significant discussions addressed aged care investments, mentioning nearly $1 billion since 2022 and improved wages for aged care workers (Pages 1-5).
• Energy policy exchanges were noted between Andrew Wilcox MP and Chris Bowen MP, regarding promises on energy cost reductions (Pages 6-9).
• New legislation on domestic violence measures and accountability against offenders was also presented (Pages 10-13).

Legislative Focus on Language Accessibility

Members emphasized the role of language services in enhancing access for migrants, notably supporting the Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS) Bill 2025, highlighting the importance of English proficiency in societal participation (Page 143-156).

Remembrances and Acknowledgments

• The session concluded with condolences for former Hon. Nick Bolkus, acknowledging his role in shaping multicultural policies (Pages 159-165).

The discussions highlighted various aspects of healthcare reform, economic management challenges, and the government’s commitment to supporting vital sectors, particularly through legislative measures and community involvement.