What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill gives the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission stronger powers, including much higher penalties, wider banning orders that cover auditors and consultants, and new orders to stop misleading promotion of NDIS services. It also adds a 90-day cooling-off period for people leaving the scheme, electronic claim forms, and clarifies that plan changes can raise or lower funding. The Senate added whistleblower protections and fixed a gap about who can withdraw a participant, and the debate focused on fraud, safety and participant rights.
Arguments made in support
Government members said the royal commission and NDIS review showed abuse, neglect and fraud, and the commission needs stronger powers to act early.
Labor speakers said tougher penalties and jail terms will deter providers who harm participants or ignore banning orders.
The Coalition, Greens and One Nation supported the bill's direction, including anti-promotion orders and the cooling-off period.
The minister said many penalties and banning orders apply to unregistered providers too, and the government reviews far more claims than before.
The Greens said new whistleblower protections, supported by the government, will help workers and participants speak up safely.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said the bill does not go far enough and gives no direct fraud controls for the 94 per cent of providers who are unregistered.
Coalition speakers said the government cannot measure the scale of fraud and must do more, and moved a second reading amendment saying so.
Independent Monique Ryan raised concerns that the agency could cut plan funding without a new assessment, and called for review rights and advocacy.
The Greens moved amendments to protect privacy in information requests and to restore the 'reasonable and necessary' test for supports.
Senator Lidia Thorpe moved an amendment to undo 2024 rules stopping people with some past convictions managing NDIS plans, saying they hurt First Nations families.
40 speeches by 25 members in the Senate and House over 3 sitting days.
Hansard: Senate, 26 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 31 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 31 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
0 Yes
0 No
1–
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
2 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.