Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025, Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025

The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-04-01.32.1 introduced by WA Senator Michaelia Cash (Liberal), which means it failed. These amendments related to an Attorney‑General objection power.

Amendment text

(1) Schedule 1, item 6, page 6 (after line 13), after section 19AKC, insert:

19AKCA Attorney-General may object to decisions to make parole orders

(1) Before the Commonwealth Parole Board decides to make a parole order for a person, the Commonwealth Parole Board must give the Attorney-General written notice of the Commonwealth Parole Board's intention to do so.

(2) The Attorney-General may, within 14 days of receiving the notice, object in writing to the Commonwealth Parole Board deciding to make the parole order for the person.

(3) The Commonwealth Parole Board cannot decide to make the parole order for the person (despite paragraphs 19AKB(1)(a) and 19AKC(1)(a)):

(a) before the end of that 14-day period; or

(b) if the Commonwealth Parole Board receives an objection from the Attorney-General under subsection (2) within that 14-day period.

(4) In making an objection under subsection (2), the Attorney-General must have regard to the purposes of parole as set out in section 19AKA.

(5) An objection under subsection (2) must set out the Attorney-General's reasons for making the objection.

(2) Schedule 1, page 9 (after line 29), after item 15, insert:

15A After subsection 19AP(7)

Insert:

(7A) Before the Commonwealth Parole Board grants a licence under this section, the Commonwealth Parole Board must give the Attorney-General written notice of the Commonwealth Parole Board's intention to do so.

(7B) The Attorney-General may, within 14 days of receiving the notice, object in writing to the Commonwealth Parole Board granting the licence.

(7C) The Commonwealth Parole Board cannot grant the licence (despite anything else in this section):

(a) before the end of that 14-day period; or

(b) if the Commonwealth Parole Board receives an objection from the Attorney-General under subsection (7B) within that 14-day period.

(7D) In making an objection under subsection (7B), the Attorney-General must have regard to:

(a) whether there are any exceptional circumstances that may justify the grant of the licence; and

(b) the matters set out at paragraphs (4A)(a) to (c).

(7E) An objection under subsection (7B) must set out the Attorney-General's reasons for making the objection.