The short answer

the House of Representatives debated on 12 February 2026: the first sitting week of the parliamentary year

The House of Representatives sat on Thursday 12 February 2026 in the first sitting week of the 2026 parliamentary year. Returning from the summer recess, the House resumed its legislative programme with government business, question time, and members' statements. The first sitting week of the year typically sets the political tone for the session ahead, with the government outlining its priorities and the opposition establishing its lines of attack. The official Hansard provides the verbatim record of all proceedings. As a proof transcript, it is subject to correction by members before final publication.

This is a method for assessing public claims, not a verdict on a party or a direction on how to vote. Conclusions should change when the underlying law, data or implementation evidence changes.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

The first sitting week: setting the parliamentary agenda

The 12 February 2026 sitting fell in the first week of the parliamentary year. After the long summer recess — typically running from early December to early February — the resumption of Parliament marks the return of formal legislative and accountability processes. The government uses the first sitting week to reintroduce or advance its legislative programme, while the opposition uses Question Time to test ministers on developments over the summer break.

The first sitting week of 2026 would have occurred in the context of the government's broader political strategy heading into the May budget cycle. Policy announcements made over the summer, economic developments, and international events would have shaped the parliamentary agenda.

The government's legislative programme for early 2026 reflected its broader policy agenda, including economic management, social policy, and national security. The opposition, meanwhile, used the first sitting week to outline its own priorities and to test the government's record following the summer recess — a period during which political accountability mechanisms are largely suspended while Parliament is not sitting.

Evidence review

House Question Time in the new parliamentary year

Question Time on 12 February 2026 provided the opposition and crossbench with their first formal opportunity of the year to question ministers directly. Topics raised may have included cost-of-living pressures following the summer period, international relations developments, health system performance, and any policy controversies that had emerged during the recess.

For the government, Question Time in the first sitting week is an opportunity to frame the political year — highlighting achievements, signalling priorities, and responding to challenges. Government backbench questions ('Dorothy Dixers') allow ministers to deliver prepared statements on their portfolio areas within the Question Time format.

Evidence review

Legislative programme resumption

Bills that had not completed their passage before the summer recess remain on the Notice Paper and can be called on for debate. The government may also introduce new bills in the first sitting week, giving them a first reading and moving the second reading to begin the parliamentary process.

The government's legislative programme for the year reflects its policy agenda, election commitments, and responses to emerging issues. Bills introduced early in the year have more parliamentary time available for passage through both chambers before the end of the sitting calendar.

The first sitting week is also an opportunity for parliamentary committees to resume their work. Committees may table reports that were completed over the summer, schedule new inquiries, and hear from witnesses. The committee system provides the detailed policy scrutiny that is often not possible during the more politically charged Question Time and legislative debates.

Evidence review

Members' statements and constituency representation

The 90-second members' statements at the beginning of the sitting day allow backbench members to raise constituency matters, acknowledge local achievements, or comment on issues of national importance. After the summer recess, these statements often reflect matters raised by constituents during the break — from local infrastructure needs to community events and concerns.

Members' statements are an important mechanism for constituency representation. They ensure that the House's agenda is not limited to government and opposition frontbench priorities but also reflects the diversity of local concerns across Australia's 151 electorates.

For constituents, the resumption of Parliament means that their local members are formally back at work in Canberra, able to raise matters on their behalf through members' statements, private members' bills, and direct representations to ministers. The 90-second statement format, while brief, ensures that a wide range of local issues — from infrastructure needs to community events — are recorded in the national parliamentary record.

Evidence review

The Hansard record: first sitting week documentation

The Hansard for 12 February 2026 is the official verbatim record of the day's proceedings. As a proof transcript, it is subject to correction by members, who may fix transcription errors but not alter the substance of their contributions.

The first sitting week's Hansard records are historically significant as they mark the formal resumption of parliamentary oversight after the recess. For researchers and citizens interested in the political year, the February Hansards provide a baseline for tracking how issues evolve over the parliamentary calendar.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Why does Parliament have a summer recess?

The summer recess — typically from early December to early February — is the longest break in the parliamentary calendar. It allows members to spend extended time in their electorates, and the public service to prepare for the new parliamentary year. The parliamentary calendar is set by the government and published in advance.

What happens to unfinished bills over the recess?

Bills that have not completed their passage do not lapse over a recess — only a dissolution or prorogation of Parliament causes bills to lapse. Bills before the House at the time of the summer recess remain on the Notice Paper and can be called on for debate when Parliament resumes.

How can I follow what happens in Parliament?

Parliamentary proceedings are broadcast live on the APH website and are recorded in Hansard. Committee hearings are generally open to the public and webcast. The Parliament of Australia website publishes the sitting calendar, Notice Papers, bills lists, and committee schedules.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Review when the official Hansard transcript is finalised or corrected.

Archive note: This article is based on the proof Hansard of 12 February 2026, which is subject to correction. Members may make corrections to their speeches before the final version is published.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.