THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure has presented the report of its Inquiry into disrespectful behaviour towards other Members in the Chamber.

The inquiry built on work undertaken in previous parliaments to raise the standard of behaviour in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. While progress has been made, cultural change is not a project with a defined end. It is the responsibility of all Members to uphold and promote high standards of behaviour, including in the House of Representatives Chamber.

It is a public forum where ideas are tested, elected representatives advocate for their constituents, and governments are held to account. Parliamentary privilege — including freedom of speech — is fundamental to the effective operation of the House. With that privilege comes a responsibility to engage with others respectfully.

"Robust debate and respectful conduct are not competing principles, but complementary." said Committee Chair, Ms Sharon Claydon MP. ‘The core principle of freedom of speech is entirely compatible with the values of courtesy, dignity and mutual respect."

The behaviour of parliamentarians in the Chamber is not an issue that is unique to the House of Representatives. As part of this inquiry, the committee heard from Members from across the House, Presiding Officers, Clerks, parliamentary officials, and representatives of other Australian and international parliaments whose evidence helped shape the committee’s recommendations.

A key question for this inquiry was the application of the Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians to Members’ behaviour in the Chamber. The code was adopted as a continuing resolution of the House in 2024. The committee is satisfied that the code applies to Members’ conduct in the House. However, evidence received by the committee revealed a lack of clarity around how the Code applies and how it is enforced.

The committee has recommended a series of practical measures to support consistent understanding and application of the Code in the House. Recommendations include enhanced induction and refresher training and guidance for all Members, and additional support for new Members. The committee has also recommended tailored training for the Speaker’s panel, in recognition of their unique position presiding over the House.

Ms Claydon said, "Cultural change is not static but an ongoing process requiring consistent commitment, reflection and action by all Members. We should all strive to meet the high standards that Australians expect of us in our work and our conduct.

"The standing orders, established House practice, and the Code collectively provide us with a robust framework. The recommendations in this report reinforce this framework, fostering a parliamentary culture that balances mutual respect and robust debate.’

A full copy of the report and further information about the inquiry is available on the committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability has today presented and published its final report for its inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.

Committee Chair, Dr Mike Freelander MP, said, "The true cost of addiction to alcohol and other drugs in Australia is almost impossible to calculate but is measured in the tens of billions of dollars. We have a responsibility as public policymakers to look at how we are addressing this and whether our current frameworks are fit for purpose."

Dr Freelander said, "Our report makes 30 recommendations to the Australian Government which reflects the complexity of the issues that arose in the evidence to the inquiry. The committee believes strongly that these changes will have a significant impact in reducing alcohol-related harms to Australian individuals, families and communities."

The committee’s recommendations include:

• a new mandatory alcohol advertising and marketing framework;
• modelling of the alcohol taxation system to determine whether it remains fit for purpose;
• national standards for the online sale and delivery of alcohol;
• capability building for primary and antenatal care services for alcohol screening and interventions, including for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD);
• a national early warning system for illicit drugs;
• increasing the awareness of, and access to, the Take Home Naloxone Program;
• mandatory alcohol and drug education programs in secondary schools;
• mandated alcohol and other drug training in medical colleges and across sectors;
• scaling of digital models of care and increased funding for integrated models of care;
• improving the retention of the alcohol and other drug workforce, including peer workers;
• improved and targeted services for regional areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and other vulnerable Australians.

The report can be accessed and downloaded here.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry is available at the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced an inquiry into Snowy Hydro Limited’s management of the Snowy 2.0 project following a major project reset in August 2023.

Snowy 2.0 is the largest committed renewable energy project in Australia. The project reset doubled the estimated project cost from $6 billion to $12 billion and extended the expected completion dates. A further cost reassessment was announced in October 2025 but is yet to be released.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "Snowy 2.0 is vital for Australia’s energy future but the project has seen delays, growing costs and performance issues. The committee wants to understand Snowy Hydro Limited’s management of these issues and the lessons for other major public infrastructure projects.

"The financial risks of massive public projects like Snowy 2.0 rest with Australian taxpayers. The Parliament needs to ensure there are strong governance, risk management, forecasting and oversight arrangements in place to see this project completed."

The inquiry’s terms of reference include examining Snowy Hydro Limited’s management of Snowy 2.0, particularly the project reset and cost forecasting, schedule and risk management, and contractor oversight. The inquiry will further consider the findings in Auditor-General Report No. 39 2025–26, Delivery of Snowy 2.0.

Submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference have been invited by Friday, October 9.

Further details of this inquiry – including its terms of reference, submissions received and public hearing schedules – can be accessed on the inquiry website.

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THE Business Council of Australia’s latest warning on declining productivity should be a catalyst for governments to move from analysis to action, Housing Industry Association (HIA) managing director Jocelyn Martin said today.

“The Productivity Commission has identified the challenges. The Business Council has reinforced them. The Senate Cost of Living Inquiry highlighted them. The Senate Housing Productivity Inquiry highlighted them," Ms Martin said.

“The evidence is now overwhelming. The challenge is no longer identifying the problem. The challenge is whether governments are prepared to act.”

Ms Martin said housing was one of the clearest examples of how declining productivity, excessive regulation and poor policy settings were undermining economic growth and living standards.

“HIA forecasts continue to show Australia will fall well short of the 1.2 million homes target," Ms Martin said.

“The barriers are not a mystery. They include planning delays, workforce shortages, infrastructure constraints, excessive regulation and declining project feasibility.

“You cannot regulate or tax your way to higher housing supply.”

Ms Martin said governments should respond with measurable productivity and red tape reduction targets.

“The Business Council’s proposal to reduce the cost of red tape by 25 per cent by 2030 deserves serious consideration," Ms Martin said.

“Governments set targets for housing delivery, emissions reduction and budget outcomes.

“They should also set targets for reducing regulatory burden and publicly report on their progress.”

HIA is calling for a practical productivity reform agenda that includes:

• A national red tape reduction target.

• A one-in, two-out approach for new regulation.

• A mandatory small business test for all new regulatory proposals.

• Greater accountability for regulators and rule-makers to consider productivity, investment, housing supply and economic growth impacts.

• Greater use of Artificial Intelligence to simplify regulation, improve transparency and accelerate approvals.

“AI presents a significant opportunity to improve the way government operates," Ms Martin said.

“We should be using technology to reduce bureaucracy, improve transparency and streamline approvals, not simply digitise inefficient processes.

“Builders should spend more time building homes and less time navigating unnecessary administrative complexity.”

Ms Martin said productivity reform ultimately comes down to making it easier for businesses to invest, employ people and grow.

“If Australia wants more homes, stronger economic growth and higher living standards, governments need to move beyond acknowledging the productivity challenge and start delivering reform.

“We don’t need more evidence.

“We need targets, accountability and action,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

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