The short answer

the Senate debated: 24 June 2026 — gender super gap, tax reform, NDIS funding, and housing

On 24 June 2026 the Senate debated Senator Hume's private senator's bill to address the gender superannuation gap, which was defeated on a second reading division 27–34. The Senate resumed debate on the government's Tax Reform No. 1 bills, which replace the 50% capital gains tax discount with an inflation-based model from 1 July 2027. During question time ministers faced questions on CGT valuations for personal assets, women's economic security, superannuation, and Indigenous housing. The Senate also considered a Greens urgency motion on NDIS funding linked to AUKUS (defeated), a Coalition matter of public importance on housing, condoled the passing of former NT Senator Trish Crossin AM, and saw first reading of bills on customs safeguard inquiries and clearing the Fair Work Commission backlog. The Senate divided on seven occasions over various procedural and substantive matters.

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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

Gender super gap bill defeated on second reading

The Senate opened its Tuesday sitting with debate on the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025, a private senator's bill brought forward by Liberal Senator Jane Hume. Senator Sarah Henderson (Liberal, Victoria) spoke in continuation, arguing the bill 'will make life fundamentally fairer for women' and criticising the government's budget as one of 'broken promises, higher taxes, more debt, lower living standards and fewer homes.'

Senator Henderson accused the government of striking 'a dirty, rotten deal between the Albanese Labor government and the Greens' on superannuation changes, specifically claiming it would compromise self-managed super fund investors — 'mum-and-dad investors' — by preventing borrowing for residential real estate acquisition. The debate on this bill had commenced on a prior sitting day following budget week.

The second reading was put to a division. The bill was defeated 27 ayes to 34 noes, with 6 pairs recorded. This means the private senator's bill did not proceed past the second reading stage on this occasion.

Evidence review

Tax reform bills — capital gains tax changes resumed

The Senate resumed consideration of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026. These government bills give effect to the centrepiece of the 2026–27 Budget: replacing the existing 50 per cent capital gains tax discount with a new discount calculated by reference to inflation, applying to gains accruing from 1 July 2027.

Senators Michaelia Cash and Katy Gallagher exchanged arguments in the resumed second reading debate. The bills had been the subject of intense political negotiation in the preceding days, with the Prime Minister having announced a deal with the Australian Greens on 23 June to secure passage of the government's budget legislation. The exact text of the debate records procedural exchanges and substantive arguments about the policy's impact on asset holders.

Hansard records speeches made in the chamber. The statements made by senators reflect their political positions and are not independently verified as factual claims. Readers should consult the budget papers and the bills' explanatory memoranda for the legislative detail.

Evidence review

Question time: CGT valuations, women's economic security, and Indigenous housing

Questions without notice on 24 June covered a wide range of topics. Opposition senators pressed the government on the practical implications of the new capital gains tax regime. Senator Jonathon Duniam (Liberal, Tasmania) asked whether vintage cars, classic vehicles, or collectable number plates worth more than $10,000 would need to be valued before 1 July 2027. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, representing the Prime Minister, said the arrangement 'applies across asset classes' and ensures 'income from assets is taxed in a way that is analogous to the way in which income on wages is taxed,' but declined to provide individual tax advice in the chamber.

Senator Duniam followed up asking what records would be required to prove a restored vintage car's cost base and market value. Senator Wong responded that 'it isn't our practice to provide in Senate question time individual tax advice' and reiterated that the budget measures were clear.

Further questions covered women's economic security, superannuation policy, the government's position on Palestine, wages and salaries, Indigenous housing, taxation bills, and energy policy. Senator Jacqui Lambie and other crossbench senators also participated in the question time exchanges. The take-note of answers debate that followed focused on Palestine, Indigenous housing, and budget measures.

Evidence review

Condolences for former Senator Trish Crossin AM

The Senate paused its legislative business to record condolences on the death of Trish Crossin AM, a former Labor senator for the Northern Territory who served from 1998 to 2013. The President, Senator Sue Lines, informed the chamber that Senator Crossin had died on 13 April 2026.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong moved a formal condolence motion on behalf of the government, noting the Senate's sadness at her death and placing on record its gratitude for her service. Senator Wong opened her remarks in Yolngu Matha, the Indigenous language of north-east Arnhem Land, reflecting Senator Crossin's deep connection to the Northern Territory and its First Nations communities.

The condolence motion is a traditional parliamentary practice through which the Senate collectively acknowledges the contribution of former members.

Evidence review

NDIS urgency motion and housing matter of public importance

The Greens moved a matter of urgency, submitted by Senator Nick McKim, proposing that the Senate recognise: 'The need for the government to invest in the services and supports disabled people need instead of handing over hundreds of billions of dollars to Trump for AUKUS, at a time when disabled people are fighting for the NDIS supports they need and families are facing increasing cost of living pressures.'

Senator Jordon Steele-John (Greens, Western Australia) moved the motion at Senator McKim's request and argued the Greens were asking the parliament to support two propositions: that Australia should not be drawn into an ever-closer relationship with the Trump administration, and that resources should be redirected to domestic disability supports. The urgency motion was defeated on division.

The Coalition then raised a matter of public importance on housing, moved by Senator Andrew Bragg. The proposal stated: 'Labor's housing agenda is another broken promise, with the Prime Minister doing a dirty deal with the Greens to ram through housing tax hikes that risk worsening the housing and rental shortage.' Senator Bragg detailed 'three iterations of this terrible budget,' referring to the original budget on 12 May, the Prime Minister's 18 June announcement of changes, and the 23 June deal with the Greens. The MPI was debated but not put to a formal vote on the substantive question.

Evidence review

Other legislation introduced and documents tabled

Several other items of legislative and procedural business were dealt with during the sitting. The Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026 was introduced by Senator Tim Ayres and read a first time, with the second reading moved. The Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Clearing the Fair Work Commission Backlog) Bill 2026 was introduced by Senator Wendy Askew and read a first time.

Orders for the production of documents were agreed to concerning biosecurity (specifically the Biosecurity (Electronic Decisions–Goods) Determination 2026), the Home Guarantee Scheme (requiring Treasury documents), the Northern Territory Remote Housing Federation Funding Agreement 2024–34, and the National Access to Justice Partnership 2025–30. These orders require ministers to table specified documents by set deadlines.

The Environment and Communications References Committee received a new reference, and party office holders were announced — Senator Susan McDonald advised that Senator Cadell would continue as Nationals Whip in the Senate.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

What was the outcome of the gender super gap bill?

The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025, a private senator's bill introduced by Senator Jane Hume, was defeated on the second reading by a division of 27 ayes to 34 noes.

What are the tax reform bills about?

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 replace the existing 50% capital gains tax discount with a new discount based on inflation, applying to gains accruing from 1 July 2027. They are the government's key budget measures.

Did the Senate vote on the NDIS urgency motion?

Yes. The Greens moved a matter of urgency linking NDIS funding to AUKUS spending. The motion was considered but did not pass — it was defeated on division.

Does Hansard verify the claims senators made during debate?

No. Hansard is a record of parliamentary speech — a near-verbatim transcript of what was said in the chamber. It does not independently verify factual claims. Statements made by senators reflect their political positions and should be assessed against other sources.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Review when Hansard corrections are published or formal votes are recorded in Journals.

Archive note: This article reviews the Proof Hansard transcript. Check the official Hansard for any corrections.

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