Senate debates

Thursday, 20 August 2026

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

11:15 am

Photo of Karen GroganKaren Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) | | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Sheldon, I present report no. 10 of 2026 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The report read as follows—

Selection of Bills Committee

REPORT NO. 10 OF 2026

20 August 2026

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Senator Tony Sheldon (Government Whip, Chair)

Senator Maria Kovacic (Opposition Whip)

Senator Sean Bell (One Nation Whip)

Senator Nick McKim (Australian Greens Whip)

Senator Ralph Babet

Senator Ross Cadell (The Nationals Whip)

Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm

Senator Jessica Collins

Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher

Senator Jacqui Lambie

Senator Kerrynne Liddle

Senator Fatima Payman

Senator David Pocock

Senator Lidia Thorpe

Secretary: Tim Bryant 02 6277 3020

SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 10 OF 2026

1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 7.11 pm.

2. The committee recommends that—

(a) the Commonwealth Land (Affordable Housing) Bill 2026 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 12 October 2026,

(b) the Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill 2026 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 7 October 2026 (see appendix 1 for statements of reasons for referral), and

(c) the provisions of the Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 2 October 2026 (see appendix 2 for statements of reasons for referral).

3. The committee recommends that the Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2026 not be referred to a committee.

4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:

                                                                                              5. The committee considered the following bills but could not reach agreement:

                                                                                                    (Tony Sheldon)

                                                                                                    Chair 19 August 2026

                                                                                                    Appendix 1

                                                                                                    SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                                                                                    Name of bill: Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shacking during Childbirth) Bill 2026

                                                                                                    Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration: Consider the circumstances, extent of and impact of shackling during childbirth and arguments for ending the practice by calling on expert witnesses and lived experience for considering detailed evidence

                                                                                                    Possible submissions or evidence from:

                                                                                                                Committee to which bill is to be referred: Legat and Constitutional Affairs (Legislation) Committee

                                                                                                                Possible hearing date(s): September 2026

                                                                                                                Possible reporting date: 7 October 2026

                                                                                                                (signed)

                                                                                                                Senator Lidia Thorpe

                                                                                                                Appendix 2

                                                                                                                SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE

                                                                                                                Proposal to refer a bill to a committee

                                                                                                                Name of bill: Criminal Code Amendment (National Sport Integrity Offences) Bill 2026

                                                                                                                Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration: Scrutiny of legislation

                                                                                                                Possible submissions or evidence from: Relevant stakeholders

                                                                                                                Committee to which bill is to be referred: Legat and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

                                                                                                                Possible hearing date(s): August-September

                                                                                                                Possible reporting date: 2 October 2026

                                                                                                                (signed)

                                                                                                                Maria Kovacic

                                                                                                                I move:

                                                                                                                That the report be adopted.

                                                                                                                Photo of Katy GallagherKaty Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                I move:

                                                                                                                At the end of the motion, add ", and the Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026 and the Housing Australia Amendment (Transparency and Reporting) Bill 2026 not be referred to committees".

                                                                                                                Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                I move:

                                                                                                                At the end of the motion, add:

                                                                                                                "and, in respect of the Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026, the bill be referred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 22 October 2026".

                                                                                                                Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Duniam to the amendment moved by Minister Gallagher to the Selection of Bills Committee report No. 10 be agreed to.

                                                                                                                11:24 am

                                                                                                                Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                The question is that the amendment moved by Minister Gallagher to the Selection of Bills Committee report No. 10 be agreed to.

                                                                                                                11:26 am

                                                                                                                Photo of Nick McKimNick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                I move:

                                                                                                                At the end of the motion, add:

                                                                                                                "and, in respect of the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026, the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 17 November 2026".

                                                                                                                Photo of Sue LinesSue Lines (President) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                The question is that the amendment as moved by Senator McKim be agreed to.

                                                                                                                11:29 am

                                                                                                                Photo of Nick McKimNick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) | | Hansard source

                                                                                                                At the request of Senator Thorpe, I move:

                                                                                                                At the end of the motion, add:

                                                                                                                "and, in respect of the Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting the Strip Searching of Children) Bill 2026, the bill be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 13 October 2026".

                                                                                                                Question agreed to.

                                                                                                                Original question, as amended, agreed to.