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Last updated Tuesday 28 April, 2026 10:59 AM


Today's Events


Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2025 federal election.
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on Australia's youth justice and incarceration system.
Senate: Education and Employment Legislation Committee inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes and End 50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025.
OECD: To host the Critical Minerals Forum on 'Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnership'.
ABS: Australian Agriculture: Livestock.
ABS: Deaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia.
Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Defence, to address the National Press Club of Australia.
Federal Leader of the Nationals, Matt Canavan, and Member for Wide Bay, Llew O'Brien, to discuss the start of pre-poll in the Farrer by-election.
Federal Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson, and Federal Shadow Minister for Finance, Claire Chandler, to hold a press conference on the upcoming Budget.

See our Diary and Calendar pages for more detail. Use the Alerts Manager / All Options in the Main Menu to sign up for Diary Alerts.

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Top Headlines

Visit to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong announced travel to Japan, China and the Republic of Korea to strengthen Australia’s international relationships and cooperation on energy security. The visit includes meetings with counterparts and officials to address disruptions to global energy markets linked to the Middle East conflict and impacts on the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions will cover fuel security, economic ties and regional stability. The statement noted Australia’s strategic partnerships with each country and emphasised ongoing engagement to support supply chains, manage shared interests and maintain reliable energy cooperation.
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Securing advanced manufacturing in Bendigo with new Bushmasters

The Federal Government will invest $750 million to build 268 new Bushmasters for the Australian Defence Force at Thales’ Bendigo facility, providing production certainty and supporting around 300 local jobs for seven years. This commitment, announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, will enhance ADF combat capability as part of a modernised protected mobility fleet. The program adds to vehicles replacing those gifted to Ukraine and includes exports to the Netherlands at no additional cost. A further $450 million will upgrade Hawkei vehicles and medium/heavy trucks, bringing the total investment to $1.2 billion and strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
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VIC: More frontline support to keep victim-survivors safe

Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Melissa Horne and Minister for Women and Girls Gabrielle Williams announced new funding in the State Government’s 2026–27 Budget to strengthen support for victim-survivors of family violence. This includes $3.5 million to expand the Personal Safety Initiative, enabling access to home security upgrades, and $6.4 million to enhance specialist support services for vulnerable groups. The measures aim to improve safety, accessibility and stability for women and children, helping them remain safely in their homes while accessing tailored support services.
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NSW: More than 15,000 new homes for Punchbowl and Wiley Park

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, NSW Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib and NSW Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis announced the State Government, in partnership with the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, has finalised planning controls to unlock more than 15,000 new homes in Punchbowl and Wiley Park. The Transport Oriented Development precincts will deliver housing near upcoming Sydney Metro stations, alongside new shops, services, open spaces and pedestrian links, with up to three per cent affordable housing. Building heights of 6 to 18 storeys are proposed, contributing to a broader pipeline of nearly 19,000 homes and supporting long-term housing supply and community growth.
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Declining apprenticeship commencements risk holding Australia back

Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) warns that Australia faces significant skills shortages due to a continued decline in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements. In the 12 months to September 2025, trade apprenticeship commencements fell by almost 10%, while non-trade commencements dropped over 18%, continuing a multi-year downward trend. The reductions follow policy shifts, including cuts to employer incentives for priority sectors outside housing and new energy, and are compounded by global uncertainty. The report emphasizes that without urgent reforms to restore viability for employers and boost commencements, future shortages could jeopardize infrastructure delivery, housing targets, and sovereign capability.
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Recent Acts

Federal
Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Act 2026

01/04/2026

20

Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Act 2026

01/04/2026

21

Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Act 2026

01/04/2026

22

Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026

01/04/2026

23

Appropriation (Fuel Security Response) Act (No. 2) 2025-2026

01/04/2026

24

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026

01/04/2026

25

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

01/04/2026

26

Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Act 2026

01/04/2026

27

Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

01/04/2026

28

Copyright Amendment Act 2026

01/04/2026

29

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Act 2026

01/04/2026

30

Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Act 2026

01/04/2026

31

Commonwealth Parole Board Act 2026

08/04/2026

32

Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2026

08/04/2026

33

National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Act 2026

08/04/2026

34

Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Act 2026

08/04/2026

35

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Act 2026

08/04/2026

36

Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Act 2026

08/04/2026

37

Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026

08/04/2026

38

Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026

08/04/2026

39

Translating and Interpreting Services Act 2026

08/04/2026

40

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Act 2026

08/04/2026

41

High Seas Biodiversity Act 2026

08/04/2026

42

See Capital Monitor's Federal Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Australian Capital Territory

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Nurse Practitioners Legislation Amendment Act 2026

05/03/2026

5

Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2026

02/04/2026

6

See Capital Monitor's Australian Capital Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

New South Wales

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Elections) Act 2026

07/04/2026

6

Surveillance Devices Amendment (Public Interest Exceptions) Act 2026

07/04/2026

7

See Capital Monitor's New South Wales Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Northern Territory

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Sentencing Amendment (Murder) Act 2026

31/03/2026

5

Bail Amendment Act 2026

31/03/2026

6

Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Legislation Amendment (Licensing) Act 2026

31/03/2026

7

Electrical Safety Amendment Act 2026

14/04/2026

8

Local Government Legislation Amendment (Code of Conduct and Other Matters) Act 2026

14/04/2026

9

See Capital Monitor's Northern Territory Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Queensland

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Fighting Antisemitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendment Act 2026

11/03/2026

4

Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

11/03/2026

5

Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026

27/03/2026

6

See Capital Monitor's Queensland Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

South Australia

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
 

 

 

See Capital Monitor's South Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Tasmania

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Petroleum Reporting (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2026

02/04/2026

1

See Capital Monitor's Tasmanian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Victoria

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Education and Training Reform Amendment (Free TAFE Guarantee) Act 2026

14/04/2026

12

Electoral Amendment Act 2026

14/04/2026

13

Justice Legislation Further Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2026

14/04/2026

14

Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2026

14/04/2026

15

Safe Food Victoria Act 2026

14/04/2026

16

See Capital Monitor's Victorian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

Western Australia

Act Name Date of Assent Act No.
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2026

17/03/2026

1

Education and Care Services National Law Application Act 2026

31/03/2026

2

See Capital Monitor's Western Australian Bills Monitor and Acts Assented pages for detailed coverage.

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Political Calendar

Federal

Federal Parliament will next sit from 12 - 14 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
Additional Budget Estimates were held on 9 - 12 February 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 25 - 28 May & 2 - 5 June 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 29 October 2026.
The last Federal Election was on 3 May 2025.
Federal Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 13 May 2025.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last ACT Election was on 19 October 2024.
ACT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 19 December 2025.

New South Wales

NSW Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down in Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 24 - 27 February, 2 - 11 March, 18 - 31 August & 1 - 2 September 2026.
Supplementary Budget Estimates are scheduled for 26 - 30 October 2026.
The last NSW Election was on 25 March 2023.
NSW Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 05 April 2023 and most recently amended on 26 September 2025.

Northern Territory

NT Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 Territory Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 9 - 18 June 2026.
The last NT Election was on 24 August 2024.
NT Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 24 October 2025.

Queensland

Queensland Parliament will next sit from 21 - 23 April 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 20 - 24 & 28 - 31 July 2026.
The last Queensland Election was on 26 October 2024.
Queensland Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 19 December 2025.

South Australia
SA Parliament will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 4 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 18 - 24 June 2026.
The last SA election was held on 21 March 2026.
SA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 25 March 2026.

Tasmania

The Tasmanian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit from 5 - 7 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 1 - 4 June 2026.
The last Tasmanian Election was held on 19 July 2025.
Tasmanian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 11 February 2026.

Victoria

The Victorian Parliament (Assembly) will next sit on from 5 May 2026.
The 2026-27 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for TBA.
The last Victorian election was held on 26 November 2022.
Victorian Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 16 April 2026.

Western Australia

The WA Parliament will next sit on 5 - 7 April 2026.
The 2025-26 State Budget will be handed down on Tuesday, 18 June 2026.
Budget Estimates are scheduled for 19 - 21 May 2026.
The last WA election was held on 8 March 2025.
WA Administrative Arrangements Orders were most recently made on 25 November 2025.

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