Senate 25 March 2026: Aboriginal children's commission bill passes, EU trade tensions, and fuel debate

The short answer

Senate 25 March 2026: Aboriginal children's commission bill passes, EU trade tensions, and fuel debate

The Senate sat on Wednesday 25 March 2026 and achieved a significant legislative outcome: the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, along with its transitional provisions bill, passed its third reading and completed its passage through the Parliament. The Senate also dealt with a packed agenda that included the resumed second reading of the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020, the introduction of four new government bills, and a ministerial statement on the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. The afternoon was consumed by two substantial debates — a matter of public importance on trade with the European Union and a matter of urgency on fuel — both of which reflected the Senate's preoccupation with the intersecting challenges of international trade relationships and domestic economic resilience. Committee reports were tabled and an extensive series of orders for the production of documents covered topics from Prince Andrew to the Murujuga Cultural Landscape.

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Evidence review

Aboriginal children's commission bill passes Parliament

The most significant legislative outcome of the day was the passage of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 and its companion transitional provisions bill. The Senate moved the bill through its remaining stages — committee of the whole and third reading — meaning it completed its passage through Parliament and would proceed to royal assent. During the committee stage, Senators David Shoebridge, Steph Hodgins-May, Malcolm Roberts, and Malarndirri McCarthy debated amendments. Senator Larissa Waters also contributed before the bill went to a division on the committee stage. The third reading was moved by Senator McCarthy and also went to a division, confirming the bill's passage.

The bill established a new national commission focused on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Its companion transitional provisions bill, which set out the administrative machinery for the commission's establishment, was also passed. Both bills' passage through the Senate represented the conclusion of parliamentary consideration, and the bills' provisions would take effect on a date to be proclaimed.

The 25 March 2026 sitting occurred during the autumn parliamentary sittings, a period when the government typically seeks to progress its legislative program before the Easter break. Senate business on this day would have included consideration of bills transmitted from the House, committee reports, and motions. The Senate's unique role as a house of review means that legislation receives more detailed scrutiny than it often does in the House of Representatives.

Evidence review

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020: resumed debate

The Senate resumed debate on the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020, a private senator's bill that had been before the Parliament since the previous term. The second reading debate drew contributions from a broad cross-section of the chamber. Senator David Shoebridge, who had carriage of the bill, opened the debate. Senator Murray Watt responded for the government, followed by Senator Michaelia Cash for the Coalition. Senator Larissa Waters, Senator Fatima Payman, Senator Jordon Steele-John, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, and Senator Peter Whish-Wilson all contributed their perspectives on the bill, which proposed to require parliamentary approval before Australian Defence Force personnel could be deployed overseas, with exceptions for emergencies or limited deployments.

The bill's long history in the Senate — first introduced in 2020 — reflected the persistent interest in this question among crossbench senators, particularly from the Greens. The debate canvassed Australia's military engagement history, the role of Parliament in decisions of war and peace, and the practical implications for ADF operational flexibility.

Question Time in the Senate provides an opportunity for senators to hold ministers accountable across the full range of government activity. Unlike the House, where ministers answer questions about their own portfolios, Senate ministers may be questioned about any portfolio they represent in the chamber. This can lead to broader lines of questioning that cover multiple policy areas within a single exchange.

Evidence review

New government bills introduced

Three government bills were introduced and read a first time. The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026 proposed a range of amendments across multiple acts within the Attorney-General's portfolio. The Export Control Amendment (Clarifying Obligations Relating to Registered Establishments) Bill 2026 sought to amend export control legislation to provide clearer obligations for registered establishments. Both were introduced with first and second reading speeches by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025 — which had already passed the House of Representatives — was introduced in the Senate and read a first and second time, with Senator McCarthy moving the introduction. The second reading debate drew Senators Claire Chandler, Fatima Payman, Maria Kovacic, and Malcolm Roberts, covering the bill's consumer protections against genetic discrimination in life insurance. The three appropriation bills for 2025-2026 (Nos 3, 4 and the Parliamentary Departments bill) were also introduced with first and second reading speeches.

The adjournment debate in the Senate, held at the end of each sitting day, allows senators to speak on any topic for a limited time. Senators use this opportunity to raise constituency matters, policy concerns and issues affecting their state or territory. Adjournment speeches are published in Hansard and form a permanent record of the matters that senators considered worth bringing to the attention of the Parliament.

Evidence review

Ministerial statement: Better and Fairer Schools Agreement

Senator Jess Walsh, representing the Minister for Education, delivered a ministerial statement on the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, the funding and policy framework governing Commonwealth-state cooperation on school education. The agreement sets out the funding arrangements and reform directions for Australian schools, including targets for student achievement, attendance, and completion rates. The statement was followed by responses from Senator Matt O'Sullivan, Senator Marielle Smith, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, and Senator Jonathon Duniam. The debate canvassed funding adequacy and the distribution of resources between government and non-government school sectors, equity in educational outcomes for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and the performance of the agreement against its stated objectives. Ministerial statements of this kind allow the government to update the Senate on significant policy matters outside the constraints of Question Time.

Evidence review

MPI on EU trade and matter of urgency on fuel

A matter of public importance on trade with the European Union was debated, reflecting the Senate's concern with the status of Australia-EU trade negotiations and market access for Australian agricultural exports. Senator Tyron Whitten opened the debate, and contributions followed from Senator Helen Polley, Senator Matthew Canavan, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Senator Marielle Smith, and Senator Malcolm Roberts. The debate highlighted tensions between Australia's desire for improved agricultural market access and the EU's defensive posture on geographic indicators and tariff protections.

A matter of urgency on fuel followed immediately, opened by Senator Paul Scarr. The debate, chaired by Acting Deputy President Senator Helen Polley, saw contributions from Senator Varun Ghosh, Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Senator Kerrynne Liddle, Senator Josh Dolega, Senator David Pocock, Senator Malcolm Roberts, and Senator Andrew McLachlan. The matter went to a division at its conclusion, reflecting the Senate's view that the fuel crisis warranted formal parliamentary attention beyond the constraints of Question Time.

Evidence review

Question Time: fuel, EU trade, and critical minerals

Question Time on 25 March 2026 was a tightly focused session. Senator Jane Hume opened with a question on fuel, followed by Senator Marielle Smith on the Middle East and Senator Anne Ruston on aged care. Senator Nick McKim returned to fuel, while Senator Corinne Mulholland asked about the critical and strategic minerals industry — an issue of growing importance given supply chain concerns. Senator Tammy Tyrrell raised cybersafety, Senator Matthew Canavan questioned on trade with the European Union, and Senator Fatima Payman asked about the maritime strategic fleet. Senator Carol Brown closed Question Time with a further question on EU trade.

Take-note debate on answers followed, with Senators Maria Kovacic, Richard Dowling, Dean Smith, Varun Ghosh, and Leah Blyth speaking on aged care, and Senator Nick McKim taking note on fuel.

Evidence review

Committee reports, document orders, and the Prince Andrew matter

The Senate dealt with extensive committee and document business. Reports were presented from the Community Affairs Legislation Committee (Senator Karen Grogan), the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee (Senator Deborah O'Neill), and the Scrutiny of Bills Committee (Senator Dean Smith). The Economics Legislation Committee had its membership updated (Senator McCarthy).

A remarkable series of orders for the production of documents were agreed to, covering: a matter relating to Prince Andrew (moved by Senator Wendy Askew, going to a division); the New and Redeveloping International Ports Framework Review; fuel security; the Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee; the Murujuga Cultural Landscape (moved by Senator Larissa Waters); South Australia's marine environment (moved by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young); and cybersafety and cybersafety legislation (moved by Senator Fatima Payman). Senator Don Farrell and Senator Katy Gallagher responded to several of these orders on behalf of the government.

Evidence review

Senators' statements: from Nowruz to climate change

The statements by senators earlier in the day covered an unusually broad range of topics. Senator Corinne Mulholland spoke on early childhood education, women's economic security, and endometriosis. Senator Paul Scarr addressed women in parliament, endometriosis, veterans, and Nowruz. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young spoke on the Middle East, Senator Slade Brockman on the Iranian-Australian community and the Labor government, and Senator Carol Brown on St John Ambulance Australia.

Senator David Pocock addressed the AEIOU Foundation and energy policy, Senator Jordon Steele-John spoke on the cost of living, and Senator Jessica Collins addressed sovereign capability. Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah spoke on women's reproductive health, Senator Sean Bell on fuel, Senator Fatima Payman on Fremantle community services, and Senator Alex Antic on health care. Senator Raff Ciccone addressed the Australia-European Union security and defence partnership. Further statements covered the economy (Senator Tyron Whitten), Northern Territory floods (Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price), taxation (Senators Charlotte Walker and Ellie Whiteaker), climate change (Senator Steph Hodgins-May), and asthma (Senator Tammy Tyrrell). Senator Bridget McKenzie addressed the cash acceptance regulations.

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