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Private Senator's Bills

Introducing a Private Senator’s Bill is one way I can put forward a proposal for a new law or to make amendments in the laws we already have.

Private Senator's Bills go through the same parliamentary process as government bills: they are introduced, debated, scrutinised and voted on. 

Like any other bill, they only become law if they secure majority support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

 

Senator Pocock's Private Senator's Bills (2022-Present)

 

Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023

 

What it Does

This bill creates a legal duty for the Australian Government to consider the health and wellbeing of today’s children and future generations when making decisions that affect the climate. It ensures that major projects or approvals with significant climate impacts consider the risks they pose to young people or future Australians.

Why it matters

As it stands, decisions to approve projects under federal environmental law do not consider the impact of climate change. This makes no sense. Climate change will disproportionately impact children and future generations, the impact of projects such as new gas fields or new coal mines should be . It establishes a mechanism to prevent projects that would cause long-term harm to health and wellbeing and strengthens transparency and accountability by allowing harmful decisions to be reviewed or challenged.

Key measures

  • Creates a statutory duty of care requiring decision-makers to protect the interests of children and future generations.
  • Requires consideration of the best available climate science, including IPCC findings.
  • Empowers young people to seek judicial review of decisions that put their futures at risk.
  • Ensures environmentally significant decisions can be scrutinised where long-term harm is likely.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in August 2023 in response to the Federal Court finding in Sharma v Minister for the Environment that a climate duty of care is a matter for Parliament.
  • A Senate Committee inquiry received over 400 submissions, with all but one supporting the Bill, but the government recommended it not pass.
  • The Bill was not brought to a vote before the end of the 47th Parliament.
  • Reintroduced in the 48th Parliament but did not receive major party support and was voted down. SA Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan crossed the floor in support.

Media coverage

 

Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Pay for Radio Play) Bill 2023

 

What it does

This bill removes outdated caps in the Copyright Act that limit how much radio broadcasters must pay musicians and rights-holders when recordings are played.

Why it matters

The caps meant artists were often paid far below the value of their work. Removing them modernises licensing arrangements, supports fair pay, and aligns ABC and commercial broadcaster rules.

Key measures

  • Removes statutory caps on royalties so musicians can be paid fair market rates.
  • Aligns arrangements for ABC and commercial broadcasters.
  • Strengthens the licensing system to support fairer negotiations.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2023.
  • Referred to a Senate inquiry examining impacts on broadcasters and the music industry.
  • The inquiry, chaired by Labor members, recommended the Bill not pass.
  • The Bill remains before the Senate and has not been passed.

Media coverage

 

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Fair and Transparent Elections) Bill 2024 (No. 2)

 

What it Does

This bill proposes wide-ranging reforms to strengthen transparency, limit political donations, and reduce the influence of big money in politics.

Why it Matters

It aims to level the playing field for independents and community-backed candidates and improve democratic fairness, including better Territory representation.

Key Measures

  • Lowers the donation disclosure threshold to $1,000 with seven-day reporting.
  • Caps and bans certain donations, including from harmful industries and large contractors.
  • Introduces donor caps across election cycles.
  • Expands ACT and NT Senate representation.

Status & Timeline

  • The Bill attracted significant debate due to its scope.
  • Referred for parliamentary consideration, with scrutiny on fundraising impacts, AEC administration, and Territory Senate expansion.
  • Major parties did not support the full package.
  • As of the current Parliament, the Bill has not been passed.

Media Coverage

 

National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024

 

What it Does

Establishes Australia’s first legislated, long-term framework to address housing affordability and homelessness, grounded in housing as a human right.

Why it Matters

Moves housing policy away from short-term approaches and embeds accountability, oversight, and lived experience into national planning.

Key Measures

  • Enshrines housing as a human right.
  • Establishes an independent National Housing and Homelessness Advocate.
  • Creates a National Housing Consumer Council.
  • Requires regular reporting and long-term review of the national plan.

Status & Timeline

  • Referred to an inquiry for parliamentary consideration, with debate on legislated planning, independent oversight, and community input.
  • Advocates broadly supported the Bill, but it did not receive major party support.

Media coverage

 

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Fair Territory Representation) Bill 2024

 

What it does

Increases Senate representation for the NT and ACT to 50% of state senate representation.

Why it matters

Territory voters have long been under-represented compared to voters in the states.

Key measures

  • Amends the Commonwealth Electoral Act to expand NT and ACT Senate representation.
  • Advances a reform from the broader electoral package as a standalone Bill.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2024 after being separated from the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Fair and Transparent Elections) Bill 2024 (No. 2).
  • Received crossbench support but not major party backing.

Media coverage

 

Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025

 

What it does

Establishes an independent authority to support and protect whistleblowers under federal law.

Why it matters

Stronger whistleblower protections improve transparency and accountability across government and regulated sectors.

Key measures

  • Creates an independent Whistleblower Protection Authority.
  • Grants investigative and support powers.
  • Requires reporting to Parliament.
  • Establishes an Advisory Council.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2025.
  • Referred to a senate inquiry for parliamentary consideration focusing on independence and interaction with existing bodies.
  • Supported by integrity advocates but not major parties.

Media coverage

 

Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025

 

What it does

Strengthens lobbying rules to improve transparency and trust in government decision-making.

Why it matters

Reduces undue influence and addresses risks associated with the revolving door between government and industry.

Key measures

  • Expands the Lobbyist Register.
  • Requires quarterly disclosure of lobbying meetings.
  • Strengthens cooling-off periods.
  • Mandates publication of ministerial diaries.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2025.
  • Referred for parliamentary consideration.
  • Supported by integrity advocates but not major parties.

Media coverage

 

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Communications) Bill 2025 (No. 2)

 

What it does

Creates a framework to reduce harmful election misinformation.

Why it matters

Protects electoral integrity and ensures voters have access to accurate information.

Key measures

  • Introduces civil penalties for misinformation.
  • Establishes an Electoral Communications Panel.
  • Captures foreign-origin misinformation.
  • Defines key electoral terms.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2025.
  • Did not receive major party support.
  • Not passed and remains under consideration.

Media coverage

 

Online Safety and Other Legislation Amendment (My Face, My Rights) Bill 2025

 

What it does

Strengthens protections against non-consensual deepfake abuse.

Why it matters

Addresses rapidly growing harms from AI-generated image-based abuse.

Key measures

  • Creates new offences for non-consensual deepfakes.
  • Strengthens eSafety Commissioner powers.
  • Introduces Privacy Act civil remedies.
  • Establishes clear takedown processes.

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in 2025.
  • Referred for parliamentary consideration focusing on offences, enforcement, and platform responsibility.
  • Supported by safety and privacy advocates but not major parties.

Media coverage