The short answer
the House debated on 22 June 2026: Carbon credits, illicit tobacco crackdown, fuel excise relief and gambling advertising
On Monday 22 June 2026, the House of Representatives sat with Speaker Milton Dick presiding. Three government bills were introduced: the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Amendment Bill 2026, the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 (which continued its second reading debate), and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No. 2) Bill 2026. Private Members' Business covered employment, gambling advertising, Medicare bulk billing, and the Active Transport Fund. Question Time featured exchanges on the budget, veterans' affairs and fuel security. The Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses committee reported, and the Human Rights Joint Committee updated its membership.
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
Bills introduced and debated
The Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced and read a first time, with the bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Penfold. The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 continued its second reading debate — the debate had been adjourned from a previous sitting, and an amendment had been moved to the second reading motion. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No. 2) Bill 2026 was presented by the Treasurer, Dr Chalmers, and read a first time.
The second reading debate on the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill is significant because it indicates the bill is at the stage where members debate its principles. The existence of an amendment to the second reading motion suggests the opposition or crossbench has substantive concerns, though the nature of the amendment is not detailed in the debate title.
Evidence review
Question Time: Budget, veterans, fuel and migration
Question Time on 22 June opened at 2:00 pm with the Leader of the Opposition, Angus Taylor (Hume, LP), asking the Prime Minister about the budget. Andrew Gee (Calare, IND) asked the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh (Burt, ALP), about veterans' issues at 2:16 pm. Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, ALP) asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen (McMahon, ALP), about fuel security at 2:30 pm — a government backbencher's question, known as a 'Dorothy Dixer', which allows a minister to make a positive statement on a portfolio issue.
Garth Hamilton (Groom, LNP) raised a question to the Speaker at 3:09 pm about questions in writing, which are questions submitted by members for written answer by ministers. These are a mechanism for members to obtain detailed information outside the Question Time format.
Evidence review
Private Members' Business: Employment, gambling, Medicare and active transport
Private Members' Business on 22 June covered a wide range of policy areas. Basem Abdo (Calwell, ALP) moved a motion on employment at 10:36 am, stating 'the dignity of work is a foundational value' and noting government employment initiatives. Dr Monique Ryan (Kooyong, IND) moved a motion on gambling advertising at 12:01 pm, noting that 'gambling advertising causes significant health and financial harm to more than 3' — a likely reference to millions of Australians affected by problem gambling. This motion reflects sustained crossbench pressure for stronger gambling advertising restrictions, an issue on which a parliamentary inquiry has previously recommended a comprehensive ban.
Sally Sitou (Reid, ALP) moved a motion on Medicare at 11:00 am, noting that 'the latest bulk billing data for the March quarter 2025-26 show' positive trends — a motion supporting the government's health policy narrative. Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, ALP) moved a motion at 4:45 pm commending the government for its Active Transport Fund. Helen Haines (Indi, IND) spoke during Members' Statements on gas industry taxation, claiming the gas industry uses significantly more gas to prepare it for export than is acknowledged.
Evidence review
Petitions and committee business
The Standing Committee on Petitions, with Leon Rebello (McPherson, LNP) presenting, tabled its 11th report for the 48th Parliament. A petition on nuclear energy was presented by the Committee, reflecting ongoing community interest in the nuclear power debate. A response was also received on banking and financial services relating to an earlier petition.
The Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses and Organisations committee reported, and the Human Rights Joint Committee updated its membership. These committee activities represent the routine oversight work of Parliament that occurs alongside higher-profile legislative debates.
Evidence review
Adjournment and constituency statements
In the adjournment debate at 7:30 pm, Alice Jordan-Baird (Gorton, ALP) spoke on domestic and family violence, specifically addressing the impact on children and young people. Constituency statements earlier in the day included Kate Chaney (Curtin, IND) speaking on migration at 10:30 am, arguing that 'we need better planning in our migration system to match infrastructure' — a position reflecting independent MP concerns about population planning.
Dr Helen Haines raised gas industry taxation during Members' Statements at 4:00 pm, questioning the use of gas in the liquefaction process. Her claim that the gas industry 'uses 13 times more gas to prepare it for export' was made in the context of a debate about whether the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax adequately captures gas industry profits.
Evidence review
Key themes and political dynamics
The sitting day of 22 June 2026 demonstrated several features of the 48th Parliament. The government advanced its legislative agenda through bills on carbon credits, illicit tobacco and fuel excise relief. The Coalition used Question Time to challenge the government on the budget, while crossbench independents pursued specific policy goals — gambling advertising (Monique Ryan), migration planning (Kate Chaney), and gas taxation (Helen Haines). Government backbenchers used their motions to support the government's narrative on Medicare bulk billing and active transport investment. The diversity of Private Members' Business motions illustrates the range of issues competing for parliamentary attention in a multi-party House.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
What was the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill debate about?
The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 had its second reading debate continue on 22 June. An amendment had been moved to the second reading motion, indicating the opposition or crossbench had concerns about the bill's approach. The bill is part of the government's response to the growing illicit tobacco trade in Australia.
What is the Active Transport Fund?
The Active Transport Fund is a government initiative that invests in walking and cycling infrastructure. The motion moved by Zaneta Mascarenhas (Swan, ALP) commended the government for establishing this fund. Details of the fund's size and specific projects were discussed in the debate.
Did any bills pass on 22 June?
Based on the Hansard, 22 June saw bills introduced and debated but the proof transcript does not indicate final votes passing any bills. The second reading debate on the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill continued, and the Carbon Credits Amendment Bill and Fuel Excise Relief Bill were at the first reading stage.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
Review trigger: Review if corrected transcript is issued.
Archive note: Based on proof Hansard. Check aph.gov.au for final version.
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.