Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026

A small majority voted against a second reading amendment introduced by Senator Michaelia Cash (Liberal).

A normal second reading motion is "that the bill be read for a second time", which is parliamentary jargon for agreeing to the bill at the second reading stage. A second reading amendment does not change the actual text of the proposed law. Instead, it amends the motion itself and may be used to express an opinion about the bill or related policy, highlight perceived flaws, or call for further action.

Because the majority voted 'No', the amendment was unsuccessful.

Amendment Text

At the end of the motion, add “, but the Senate:

(a) notes that Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the bill removes the ability of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to apply for data disruption warrants;

(b) further notes that the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 is currently before the Parliament and is the appropriate legislative vehicle for considering significant changes to the powers, functions and operational capabilities of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission;

(c) considers that the removal of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s data disruption warrant powers should be considered as part of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026, to enable appropriate scrutiny by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; and

(d) calls on the Government to incorporate Part 3 of Schedule 1 into the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026”.