June 24, 2026
A government–Greens agreement clears the way for the tax package in return for a longer NDIS inquiry; today covers the private health and workplace bills and the Senate tax debate.
A focus for the media last night was the agreement reached yesterday between the government and the Greens to get the needed support to pass the tax reform package as soon as possible, with Greens amendments, in return for an extension to NDIS inquiry. Here's what happened, and where today goes.
The Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 passed the House and went to the Senate. The focus there will be on the key aspects of the package that have shifted since Budget Night. The fuel excise relief bill also passed all stages after a compressed debate, in spite of a collective challenge from almost all the independents.
In the Senate chamber, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 slowed and, after a long run of divisions and the negotiations between the government and the Greens, it was sent back for another eight weeks of inquiry, with the Community Affairs Legislation Committee now reporting on 14 August.
Upon arrival from the House, the tax reform bills debate itself ran most of the day without a vote. The Senate guillotined it, so the second reading question gets put tomorrow. One Nation wants negative gearing kept for up to two investment properties, and Senator Smith (Liberal) warned the changes could tax some capital gains at up to 47 per cent. Property submissions to the Senate inquiry have pushed for the reforms to be softened, arguing they will lift rents.
The Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026 is set to run all the way to a third reading this afternoon. It does two things: it lets the government publish what individual specialists charge on the Medical Costs Finder, so patients can compare before they commit, and it bans "product phoenixing," where an insurer quietly closes a policy and reopens a near-identical one at a higher price. Three crossbench amendments are stacked up first, so the detail gets fought before the vote.
Before that, the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026 is listed to finish too. It hands the Fair Work Commission faster ways to throw out 'hopeless' cases, a response to its president warning that AI-written claims from self-represented litigants are clogging workloads. The part drawing fire is separate: a power for the Commonwealth to favour employers whose staff are on enterprise agreements when it hands out contracts. Master Builders and the housing industry say the bill is rushed.
Two more bills, the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026, will occupy the Federation Chamber, where the customs bill is expected to clear all stages.
The tax bills will dominate ahead of Thursday's scheduled vote. Adjournment is tied to that debate, so the chamber may sit late again. It will however pause for a condolence motion. Penny Wong (Leader of the Government in the Senate) will move it for Trish Crossin AM, the Northern Territory's first female senator who was elected in 1998, who passed in April this year.
Private senators' business brings on the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025, which would let couples split their super every year, not only on divorce. Women currently retire with about $30,000 less than men, and the bill is pitched at closing some of that gap. Also on the sheet: Industry Minister Tim Ayres (Labor) introduces the Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026 (no link available yet), and Lidia Thorpe (independent) has three orders for production of documents queued on remote housing funding, access to justice and rejected Indigenous grant applications.
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade holds a public hearing this morning for its inquiry into strengthening Australia's trade and investment relations with Africa. Submissions also close today for the Public Works Committee's look at the new ATO fit-out in Adelaide. Tomorrow brings two reports worth the wait: the Economics committee on unfair trading practices and Education and Employment on the bill to reverse the Job-Ready Graduates fee hikes.
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Until tomorrow!
— Mia
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