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 makes small technical fixes to 42 Commonwealth laws, such as correcting errors, updating names and references, and removing spent parts. It also repeals 106 old laws that no longer do anything. In the Senate, the debate turned mostly to amendments added to the bill to stop a planned $5,000 yearly limit on veterans' allied health care.
Arguments made in support
Government members said bills like this have been passed since 1934 and keep the law accurate, clear and easier for everyone to read and use.
Labor's Tom French said small drafting errors, like a wrong cross-reference or misplaced punctuation, can cause real legal problems and should be fixed.
Coalition members said they support keeping the statute book up to date and would take the government at its word that the changes are technical.
The government said the changes have no financial impact and do not change anyone's rights except in minor ways.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said parliament should check, not assume, that every change is technical, and wanted a Senate committee to look at changes touching veterans, criminal and electoral law.
The Coalition, Greens, One Nation and crossbench senators backed amendments to ban a $5,000 cost limit or review trigger on veterans' allied health care.
The government opposed those amendments, saying they could have unintended effects and would cut across consultation with veterans that is still under way.
One Nation moved an amendment to restore an older war-crimes definition, saying a 2024 change should not apply back to past military service.
24 speeches by 19 members in the House and Senate over 6 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 25 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 2 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 2 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 10 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 14 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.