What the House of Representatives debated on 9 February 2026: flag protection bills, universities reform, and cost-of-living questions

The short answer

the House of Representatives debated on 9 February 2026: flag protection bills, universities reform, and cost-of-living questions

On 9 February 2026 the House of Representatives sat from 10:00 am and debated four bills at the second-reading stage, received 90-minute statements and 23 questions without notice, disposed of one motion, and heard constituency statements and adjournment speeches. The private members' bills on flag protection — the Flags Amendment (Protection of Australian National Flags) Bill 2026 and Criminal Code Amendment (Flag Protection) Bill 2026 — drew the most extended debate. The government's Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 also progressed. Question Time was dominated by the economy (five questions), energy (three questions), international relations with Indonesia, housing, cost of living, and aged care. The sole formal motion concerned small business. Adjournment debates ranged across rural and regional services, protests, South Australian government matters, and the Royal Exhibition Building.

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Evidence review

Flag protection bills dominate private members' business

The most sustained debate of the sitting day came from two private members' bills introduced by Pat Conaghan MP (Nationals, Cowper). The Flags Amendment (Protection of Australian National Flags) Bill 2026 proposed amending section 7 of the Flags Act 1953 to criminalise the burning or desecration of the Australian national flag and the Australian red ensign. Under the bill, a first offence would attract a penalty of $16,500 or up to 12 months imprisonment. A second offence would carry a mandatory minimum of 12 months imprisonment. Non-citizens convicted of the offence would face automatic referral to the minister for consideration of visa cancellation on character grounds.

Mr Conaghan told the House the flag and red ensign 'are not props for political theatre' but 'national symbols earned through sacrifice, service, and shared history'. He argued that burning or deliberately desecrating them 'is not an act of harmless protest; it is an act that strikes at the heart of our nation, our respect and our cohesion.'

The companion Criminal Code Amendment (Flag Protection) Bill 2026 sought to insert a new offence into the Criminal Code Act 1995 addressing the same conduct. Both bills were debated concurrently and remain at the second-reading stage.

Evidence review

Universities Accord legislation progresses

The government's Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and its consequential and transitional provisions companion bill received second-reading debate. The package would establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) as a new statutory body to oversee the tertiary education sector, implementing one of the key structural recommendations of the Universities Accord final report.

The debate occupied two separate blocks during the sitting day, reflecting the bill's significance to the government's higher education reform agenda. The legislation remained before the House at the conclusion of the day's proceedings.

Evidence review

Telecommunications consumer safeguards

The Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 was the fourth bill debated. The bill proposes amendments to strengthen consumer protections in the telecommunications sector, including measures related to complaint handling, service reliability standards, and transparency in pricing and contract terms. These reforms respond to longstanding concerns raised by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman about consumer experiences with phone and internet services.

The bill passed through its second-reading stage in this chamber session, with members from both sides acknowledging the importance of consumer safeguards in an increasingly digital economy. Specific provisions discussed included requirements for providers to give clearer information about network performance during outages and to offer more flexible arrangements for customers experiencing financial hardship.

Evidence review

Question Time: economy and energy in the spotlight

Question Time on 9 February 2026 ran for its standard duration and generated 23 distinct question topics. Economic management attracted the most questions (five), with the Opposition pressing the government on cost-of-living pressures, interest rates, and overall economic performance. Energy policy drew three questions, reflecting continued parliamentary contestation over electricity prices, the energy transition, and reliability. Housing was raised twice — once in connection with general housing policy and once linked to defence properties.

International relations with Indonesia generated two questions, underscoring the bilateral relationship's parliamentary salience. Women's health, critical and strategic minerals, small business, aged care, trade, tertiary education, cybersafety, infrastructure, and Airservices Australia each appeared once. The Opposition also raised questions about the Middle East, the Australian Defence Force, and defence properties.

Evidence review

Motions, statements and adjournment

A single formal motion on small business was moved and dealt with during the motions segment. The two 90-minute statements-by-members blocks canvassed a wide range of local and topical issues. Members spoke about the Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Australia Day honours in various electorates, Lunar New Year celebrations, the Battle of Kapyong 75th anniversary, climate change, gun control, housing, and small business taxation.

The adjournment debate covered rural, regional and remote Australia services, the Paterson electorate's Australia Day honours, protest activity, the South Australian government, the Royal Exhibition Building, and a tribute to Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles.

Sixteen committee reports were noted, including from the Petitions Committee, and four additional answers to questions without notice were tabled.

Evidence review

Members' 90-second statements: local recognition and national issues

The two members' statements segments produced a broad cross-section of local electorate acknowledgements. Members used their 90-second slots to recognise constituents receiving Australia Day honours, celebrate community organisations such as The Social Studio, and mark international observances including World Greek Language Day and International Women's Day. Infrastructure commitments in the Gorton electorate, the Riverina's community acknowledgements, and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix were also raised. National issues cut through in statements on climate change, gun control, small business taxation, and housing affordability.

Common questions

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