Two Contested Bills Pass, Super Becomes the Next Flashpoint

The issues trending in Advoc8 reflect the return to Parliament this month, with the Albanese Government securing two of its most contested legislative wins of the year: gambling advertising reform and major changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Both measures ultimately passed the Senate with Coalition support, despite pressure from the Coalition, Greens and crossbench to strengthen or amend both pieces of legislation.

The gambling reforms were shaped in part by the landmark You Win Some, You Lose More report, resulting from a Parliamentary inquiry chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy. While the Government presented the legislation as a significant step forward, critics from across the political spectrum argued it stopped short of the full suite of recommendations emerging from the Murphy Report.

Meanwhile, the NDIS reforms sparked intense debate, generating more than 4,000 submissions to a Senate inquiry. Despite widespread concern from disability advocates and service providers, the Labor-majority committee recommended the bill be passed, with Coalition senators backing reform while calling for additional safeguards and amendments.

Superannuation also enjoyed a prominent month in the political spotlight. Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino addressed the National Press Club to outline the Government’s introduction of legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections, while the Greens launched a Senate inquiry into extending superannuation to workers under 18. At the same time, compulsory superannuation itself came under attack, with Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg describing compulsory superannuation as “one of the biggest public policy failures since federation”. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson joined the criticism, arguing the system was “broken” and supporting greater access to superannuation savings before retirement. Treasurer Jim Chalmers predicted the next election would be a “referendum on superannuation”. 

Also in Pulse..

• The News Bargaining Incentive, legislation which encourages large digital platforms to do deals with news publishers for the use of content or be forced to pay a levy, passed Parliament. The Government had spent a year consulting on the reforms, and passed the legislation with the support of the Coalition. 
• South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced a Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence. The Royal Commission will start on 1 October 2026 and finish by 1 July 2027. 
• The NSW Government released the NSW Data Centre Guidelines, requiring proponents of data centres to meet six performance measures. Projects that meet the measures will have their developments assessed within 75 days. The NSW Government will also establish its own Office of AI in The Cabinet Office. 
• National Cabinet met on 26 August, where First Ministers discussed National AI laws, ending gender-based violence and firearms reform, along with ongoing responses to the H5 Avian Flu and continuing challenges to fuel security.