Bills — National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate

Senate · 1 Apr 2026 · 11:03
Passed by a large majority
39
Yes (ayes)
5
No (noes)
The question now is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed.

See it for yourself

This vote was on this bill. Read the official text:
National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026
Government bill (Labor), introduced in the House
Portfolio: Health, Disability and Ageing
Read the law (PDF) ›
Act No. 34 of 2026 as passed, Federal Register of Legislation
Read the bill (PDF) ›
Bill as passed by both Houses, aph.gov.au
Explanatory memorandum (PDF) ›
The government's explanation of the bill, aph.gov.au
Official Hansard record (PDF) ›
Senate, 1 Apr 2026. The division is at 11:03. Parliament of Australia
Official documents from aph.gov.au and legislation.gov.au, checked 21 October 2026.

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 widens the legal meaning of 'vaccine' so that products giving ready-made antibodies, known as passive immunity, can be listed on the free National Immunisation Program. Speakers focused on Beyfortus, which protects babies from RSV, and on wider issues of falling vaccination rates and uneven vaccine funding between states.
Arguments made in support
The Government said new therapies like Beyfortus cannot be listed under the current definition, so Australians could miss out on products available overseas.
Coalition speakers supported the bill as a sensible technical change that gives families nationally consistent access to RSV protection for babies.
The Coalition noted the bill does not list any product automatically; products must still pass the usual safety, effectiveness and value assessments.
Independent member Monique Ryan supported the bill, saying it would help protect against preventable diseases and make the program more flexible.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Monique Ryan moved an amendment urging the Government to work with states on uneven vaccine funding, such as for meningococcal B and RSV. It was defeated.
Coalition speakers backed the bill but said medicines take too long to be listed and the Government had not acted on a health technology assessment review.
One Nation moved amendments in the Senate requiring vaccines to be tested against a saline placebo to an international standard before listing.
11 speeches by 8 members in the House and Senate over 5 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 5 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 10 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 11 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 1 Apr 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every recorded vote on National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026
›

How each party voted

Labor
25 Yes
0 No
4–
Greens
9 Yes
0 No
One Nation
0 Yes
3 No
1–
Liberal
2 Yes
1 No
17–
Independent
1 Yes
0 No
1–
UAP
0 Yes
1 No
Nationals
0 Yes
0 No
3–
CLP
0 Yes
0 No
1–
LNP
0 Yes
0 No
2–
Lambie
0 Yes
0 No
1–
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.

Rebels (1)

Alex Antic
Liberal · Senator for SA
›
Voted No, against most of their party.
Source: Hansard, Senate, 1 Apr 2026
Parliament of Australia, via OpenAustralia Foundation · checked 14 October 2026