Send the social media enforcement bill (and a gambling law bill) to a committee inquiry before debate — back it or block it?

The government asked the Senate to fast-track its Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026 by skipping the usual waiting rules so it could be debated this sitting period.

The Coalition's Sarah Henderson moved to instead refer the bill to a Senate committee for inquiry, reporting by 25 August 2026. The Greens' Sarah Hanson-Young added that any bill changing the Interactive Gambling Act introduced on 1 or 2 July also be sent to that committee, reporting by 17 August. All three questions passed 32 votes to 20, so the bill and the gambling matter go to committee scrutiny.

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📄 Senate Hansard, 1 Jul 2026 — Consideration of Legislation

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The strongest case each way

For · Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens)Moved to add any new gambling-law bill to the committee inquiry, expanding the scrutiny to cover changes to the Interactive Gambling Act alongside the social media bill.

For · CoalitionSarah Henderson argued the social media enforcement bill should go to a Senate committee for inquiry and report by 25 August 2026 rather than being rushed straight to debate.

Against · Government (Labor)Jess Walsh, for Senator Watt, sought to set aside the normal waiting rules so the bill could be considered during this sitting period without a referral.