Australian Government Faces Senate Setbacks on Three Policy Measures

The Coalition and the Greens combined to refer the delayed gambling advertising reform package to a Senate inquiry. The same pairing sent proposed social media enforcement amendments to a separate inquiry.

The gambling package had already faced delays and drew internal Labor concern over the strength of its provisions. Some opposition members have discussed seeking further amendments. The social media changes aimed to increase penalties and expand enforcement powers for an existing ban that some teenagers have bypassed.

Communications officials criticized the referral of the four-page social media bill, noting that parents had urged parliament not to treat the measure as a political issue. One member was removed from the chamber during the exchange.

The government also lost a Senate vote on automated assessment tools in aged care when the Greens and crossbenchers supported a Coalition measure. The bill will not become law because the government retains its lower house majority. Officials said they will introduce separate legislation addressing the issue during the recess.

Opposition members stated that aged care wait times have exceeded one year and that more than 200,000 people are awaiting services. The government retains the ability to pass its own measures once parliament returns.