Acts of Parliament assented to – Act Nos 5 to 11 of 2026

Overview

The Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Act 2026 was assented to by the Governor-General on 13 March 2026. This Act amends the Defence Act 1903, addressing a gap in the legislative framework concerning the oversight and effectiveness of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. The Parliament, comprising both the Senate and the House of Representatives, enacted this Act to enhance the committee's ability to scrutinise and advise on defence-related matters, thereby ensuring a robust parliamentary oversight mechanism. The policy objective is to strengthen the role of the committee in reviewing and reporting on defence policies and operations, ultimately contributing to more informed decision-making in national defence matters.

Scope and Application

The Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Act 2026 applies to the Defence Act 1903, with the primary aim of amending provisions to enhance the operation and oversight of the defence sector by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. This Act affects entities within the defence industry, including the Department of Defence, defence contractors, and other stakeholders involved in the procurement and management of defence-related activities. Its jurisdictional reach is Commonwealth-wide, ensuring compliance with national defence policies and standards. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thereby indicating a broad application intended to cover all entities and activities within the scope of the Defence Act 1903. Subordinate instruments may be used to further define specific operational details or to implement technical amendments as necessary. The Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) Act 2026 pertains to the Corporations (Review Fees) Act 2003, focusing on making technical amendments to improve the administration and enforcement of review fees for corporations. This Act applies to all entities subject to the Corporations Act 2001, including corporations, registered schemes, and related entities, ensuring they comply with updated fee structures and payment processes. The Act’s jurisdictional reach is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. It does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, suggesting a comprehensive application intended to streamline the review fee system. The Act may be further refined through subordinate instruments to address specific administrative or technical issues as they arise.

Key Provisions

The Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Act 2026 (No. 5 of 2026) amends the Defence Act 1903 to enhance the role and functions of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. This Act seeks to ensure that the committee has the necessary powers to effectively oversee and scrutinise defence activities and expenditures, ultimately aiming to provide greater accountability and transparency in defence matters. It introduces specific provisions that clarify the scope of the committee's inquiries and reporting responsibilities, ensuring that defence operations are subject to robust parliamentary oversight. The Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) Act 2026 (No. 6 of 2026) makes technical amendments to the Corporations (Review Fees) Act 2003, primarily to align the legislation with recent changes in corporate law and administrative practices. This Act revises certain fee structures and payment processes to ensure that the regulatory framework remains efficient and effective. It imposes obligations on corporations to accurately report and pay applicable fees, thus ensuring compliance with corporate governance standards and facilitating smoother regulatory interactions. The Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Act 2026 (No. 7 of 2026) strengthens protections for individuals who provide information to Royal Commissions. This Act introduces provisions to safeguard witnesses from retribution and ensure their anonymity, thereby encouraging more open and honest testimony. It imposes obligations on Royal Commissions to implement robust measures to protect the identity and interests of informants, promoting a culture of trust and cooperation in investigative processes. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Act 2026 (No. 8 of 2026) aims to reform the superannuation system by introducing measures to enhance its fairness and sustainability. This Act imposes obligations on superannuation funds and trustees to adhere to new standards and practices designed to better protect retirement savings. It includes provisions for increased transparency, improved governance, and enhanced member rights, ensuring that the superannuation system serves the best interests of all stakeholders. The Superannuation (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Imposition Act 2026 (No. 9 of 2026) introduces a tax on certain superannuation earnings to fund the reforms outlined in the related Treasury Laws Amendment Act. This Act imposes obligations on superannuation funds and trustees to calculate and remit the new tax correctly, ensuring that the additional revenue is effectively generated. It also sets out penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential criminal charges, to enforce adherence to the new tax provisions. The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026 (No. 10 of 2026) makes several amendments to the Migration Act 1958 to address current challenges and improve the efficiency of Australia's migration system. This Act introduces new visa categories, revises eligibility criteria, and enhances the processing of applications. It imposes obligations on applicants, visa holders, and the Department of Home Affairs to comply with the updated requirements, including penalties for providing false information or engaging in fraudulent activities, which can result in fines and imprisonment. The Parliamentary Frameworks Legislation Amendment (Reviews) Act 2026 (No. 11 of 2026) amends the law relating to reviews under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023. This Act introduces new review mechanisms to ensure that parliamentary operations are subject to regular and rigorous assessments. It imposes obligations on parliamentary authorities to facilitate these reviews and to implement any recommendations made, with penalties for non-compliance that may include fines and other administrative sanctions.