The Too Hard Basket · toohardbasket.org.au

Edition 1 · as at 2 September 2026 · responses checked to 27 August 2026

As at 2 September 2026

What this site said on 2 September 2026. This page does not change: the current registers move every week, and this one is kept so a figure quoted from it stays where it was quoted from. Cite it as toohardbasket.org.au/as-at/2026-09-02/.

Senate register
82
74 past the deadline · 45 “being considered”
House register
38
30 past the deadline
Responses read since April 2022
623
260 closed with the form letter
Recommendations indexed
5,164
1,109 awaiting a response

The two register counts are never added: joint committee reports are listed by both presiding officers. The dataset behind this edition is tagged edition-2026-09-02 in the repository, where every row can be traced to the document it came from.

Senate register · 82 awaiting a response

From the President’s report as at 30 June 2026, which listed 98 as waiting; 16 answered since had been taken off. Longest wait 4,299 days (11 years, 9 months).

WaitingReportCommitteeTabledStatus
4,299 daysFreedom of Information Amendment (New Arrangements) Bill 2014 [Provisions]Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation25 Nov 2014Being considered
3,485 daysReport 460—Public Sector Governance Inquiry based on Auditor- General’s report 29 (2015-16)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory16 Feb 2017Being considered
3,452 daysFreedom of speech in AustraliaHuman Rights—Joint Statutory21 Mar 2017Being considered
3,284 daysReport 463—Commonwealth Financial Statements—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s report No. 33Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory5 Sept 2017Answered in part
2,877 daysReport 472—Commonwealth Procurement – Second report: Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 9 and 12 (2017-18) and 61 (2016-17), dated October 2018Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory17 Oct 2018Answered in part
2,833 daysFreedom of Information Legislation Amendment (Improving Access and Transparency) Bill 2018Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation30 Nov 2018Being considered
2,710 daysReport 477—Commonwealth financial statements – Second report; and Foreign investment in real estate: Inquiries based on Auditor-General’s reports 24 and 48 (2017-18)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory2 Apr 2019Answered in part
2,710 daysReport 478—Issuing of a Certificate under section 37 of the Auditor- Generalʼs Act 1997Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory2 Apr 2019Being considered
2,710 daysReport 479—Australian Government security arrangements: Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 38 and 43 (2017-18)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory2 Apr 2019Answered in part
2,549 days2nd report of 2019—Referrals made July 2019Public works—Joint Standing10 Sept 2019Being considered
2,268 daysPerformance of the Australian Maritime Safety AuthorityRural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation17 June 2020Being considered
2,179 daysNational Radioactive Waste Management Amendment (Site Specification, Community Fund and Other Measures) Bill 2020 [Provisions]Economics Legislation14 Sept 2020Being considered
2,092 daysReport 485—Cyber Resilience: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s reports 1 and 13 (2019-20)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory10 Dec 2020Answered in part
1,835 daysOil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo BasinEnvironment and Communications References24 Aug 2021Being considered
1,827 daysReport 486—Regulatory activities: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s reports 33, 47 and 48 (2019-20) and 5 and 8 (2020-21)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory1 Sept 2021Answered in part
1,736 daysPublic interest immunity claims—Third interim reportCOVID-19—Senate Select1 Dec 2021Being considered
1,617 daysInquiry into PFAS remediation in and around Defence bases—Final reportForeign Affairs, Defence and Trade— Joint Standing30 Mar 2022Being considered
1,604 daysReport 492—Governance in the stewardship of public resources: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s reports 11, 31 and 39 (2019-20) and 2 and 9 (2020-21)Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory12 Apr 2022Answered in part
1,498 daysReport 488—Commonwealth financial statements 2019-20Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory27 July 2022Answered in part
1,498 daysReport 490—Alternative financing mechanismsPublic Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory27 July 2022Answered in part
1,498 daysReport 491—Review of the Auditor- General Act 1997Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory27 July 2022Answered in part
1,408 daysFinancial Accountability Regime Bill 2022 [Provisions], Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022 [Provisions], Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2022 [Provisions] and Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2022 [Provisions]Economics Legislation25 Oct 2022Being considered
1,385 daysTreasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 3) Bill 2022 [Provisions] and related billsEconomics Legislation17 Nov 2022Being considered
1,253 days2nd report of 2023—Department of Defence – Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airfield Upgrade Project and other worksPublic works—Joint Standing29 Mar 2023Being considered
1,252 daysReport 494—Inquiry into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s crisis management arrangementsPublic Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory30 Mar 2023Answered in part
1,232 daysOil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin—Final reportEnvironment and Communications References19 Apr 2023Being considered
1,218 daysInterim reportCost of Living—Senate Select3 May 2023Being considered
1,213 daysAdaptive sport programs for Australian Defence Force veteransForeign Affairs, Defence and Trade References8 May 2023Being considered
1,057 daysAustralia’s trade and investment opportunities in a global green economyTrade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing11 Oct 2023Being considered
1,051 daysReport 499—Inquiry into annual performance statements 2021-22Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory17 Oct 2023Being considered
1,009 daysInquiry into the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in AustraliaAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs—Joint Standing Committee28 Nov 2023Being considered
1,008 daysLaw enforcement capabilities in relation to child exploitationLaw Enforcement—Joint Statutory29 Nov 2023Being considered
1,007 daysInfluence of international digital platformsEconomics References30 Nov 2023Being considered
939 daysInquiry into the Australian Government’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements— Interim reportTrade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing6 Feb 2024Being considered
894 daysOffshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2024 [Provisions]Economics Legislation22 Mar 2024Being considered
854 daysStrengthening Australia’s approach to trade negotiationsTrade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing1 May 2024Being considered
846 daysSecond interim reportCost of Living—Senate Select9 May 2024Being considered
846 daysImproving consumer experiences, choice, and outcomes in Australia’s retirement system – existing and proposed superannuation for housing policies – interim reportEconomics References9 May 2024Being considered
827 daysAustralia’s illicit drug problem: Challenges and opportunities for law enforcement—Additional comments from the Australian GreensLaw Enforcement—Joint Statutory28 May 2024Being considered
799 daysAustralia’s Human Rights FrameworkHuman Rights—Joint Statutory25 June 2024Being considered
797 daysReport 504—Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the NDIA: Final reportPublic Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory27 June 2024Answered in part
792 days5th report of 2024—Department of Defence – Australian Defence Force Academy living-in accommodation project and other worksPublic works—Joint Standing2 July 2024Being considered
729 daysCompulsory income managementHuman Rights—Joint Statutory3 Sept 2024Being considered
728 daysTreasury Laws Amendment (Build to Rent) Bill 2024 and Capital Works (Build to Rent Misuse Tax) Bill 2024 [Provisions]Economics Legislation4 Sept 2024Being considered
713 daysImproving consumer experiences, choice and outcomes in Australia’s retirement system: superannuation for mortgage offset- Second interim reportEconomics References19 Sept 2024Being considered
692 daysMigration, pathway to nation buildingMigration—Joint Standing10 Oct 2024Being considered
667 daysAged Care Bill 2024 [Provisions]Community Affairs Legislation4 Nov 2024Interim response
656 daysPaying the price: The cost of a crisis on Australian’s standards of living – Final reportCost of Living—Senate Select15 Nov 2024Being considered
653 daysDigital platforms and the traditional news media—Second interim reportSocial Media and Australian Society—Joint Select18 Nov 2024Being considered
653 daysSocial media: the good, the bad, and the ugly—Final reportSocial Media and Australian Society—Joint Select18 Nov 2024Being considered
652 daysReport 505—Inquiry into policy and program design and implementationPublic Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory19 Nov 2024Answered in part
645 daysReportImpact of Climate Risk on Insurance—Senate Select26 Nov 2024Being considered
643 daysFinancial regulatory framework and home ownershipEconomics References28 Nov 2024Being considered
636 daysFinancial abuse: an insidious form of domestic violenceCorporations and Financial Services– Joint Statutory5 Dec 2024Being considered
566 daysImproving consumer experiences, choice, and outcomes in Australia’s retirement system: superannuation fund governance arrangements—Third interim reportEconomics References13 Feb 2025Being considered
551 daysInquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under free trade agreements—Final reportTrade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing28 Feb 2025Being considered
526 daysReport 510—Use and governance of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entitiesPublic Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory25 Mar 2025Being considered
496 daysNo time to waste: Waste reduction and recycling policiesEnvironment and Communications References24 Apr 2025Being considered
302 daysStrengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025—Advisory reportIntelligence and Security—Joint Statutory4 Nov 2025Nothing received
287 daysInquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFASPFAS—Senate Select19 Nov 2025Being considered
273 daysFreedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 [Provisions]Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation3 Dec 2025Nothing received
182 days1st report of 2026—Referrals made in September and October 2025Public works—Joint Standing4 Mar 2026Nothing received
174 daysAnnual report no. 1 of the 48th ParliamentNational Disability Insurance Scheme—Joint Standing12 Mar 2026Nothing received
170 daysCorporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 [Provisions]Economics Legislation16 Mar 2026Nothing received
162 daysThe integrity gap: Restoring trust in the climate and energy debateInformation Integrity on Climate Change and Energy—Senate Select24 Mar 2026Nothing received
159 daysTertiary Education Legislation Amendment (There For Education, Not Profit) Bill 2025Education and Employment Legislation27 Mar 2026Nothing received
155 daysQuality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care systemEducation and Employment References31 Mar 2026Nothing received
155 daysDemocracy and human rights in MyanmarForeign Affairs, Defence and Trade References31 Mar 2026Nothing received
153 daysEnvironment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related billsEnvironment and Communications Legislation2 Apr 2026Nothing received
131 daysTreasury Laws Amendment (Financial Reporting System Reform) Bill 2026 [Provisions]Economics Legislation24 Apr 2026Nothing received
119 daysReview of the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation6 May 2026Nothing received
118 daysReportTaxation of Gas Resources—Senate Select7 May 2026Nothing received
111 daysTelecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 [Provisions]Environment and Communications Legislation14 May 2026Nothing received
99 daysImpact of microplastics and other toxics on human healthCommunity Affairs References26 May 2026Nothing received
77 daysTreasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries Stabilisation and Uplift) Bill 2026 [Provisions]Economics Legislation17 June 2026Nothing received
75 daysTreasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and related bill [Provisions]Economics Legislation19 June 2026Nothing received
75 daysSecrecy Provisions Amendment (Repealing Offences) Bill 2026 [Provisions]Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation19 June 2026Nothing received
75 daysAviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and three related bills [Provisions]Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation19 June 2026Nothing received
71 daysNational Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 [Provisions]—Interim reportCommunity Affairs Legislation23 June 2026Nothing received
71 daysThe transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program to the Support at Home ProgramCommunity Affairs References23 June 2026Nothing received
69 daysCompetition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026 [Provisions]Economics Legislation25 June 2026Nothing received
69 daysWage theftEducation and Employment References25 June 2026Nothing received

House register · 38 awaiting a response

From the Speaker’s schedule as at 30 June 2026, which listed 44 as waiting; 6 answered since had been taken off. Longest wait 2,093 days (5 years, 8 months).

WaitingReportCommitteeTabledStatus
2,093 daysReport 485: Cyber Resilience: Inquiry into Auditor-General’s Reports 1 and 13 (2019-20)Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)9 Dec 2020Answered in part
1,835 daysReport 486: Regulatory Activities - Inquiry into Auditor-Generals Reports 33, 47, 48 (2019-20) and 5 and 8 (2020-21)Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)24 Aug 2021Answered in part
1,617 daysInquiry into PFAS remediation in and around Defence bases: Final reportForeign Affairs, Defence and Trade (Joint, Standing)30 Mar 2022Being considered
1,616 daysReport 488 Commonwealth Financial Statements 2019-20Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)31 Mar 2022Answered in part
1,616 daysReport 491 Review of the Auditor-General Act 1997Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)31 Mar 2022Answered in part
1,386 daysReport 201: Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandTreaties (Joint, Standing)16 Nov 2022Being considered
1,252 daysReport 494: Inquiry into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s crisis management arrangementsPublic Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)30 Mar 2023Answered in part
1,085 daysReport 500: Inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the NDIA - Interim ReportPublic Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)13 Sept 2023Answered in part
1,057 daysAustralia's trade and investment opportunities in a global green economyTrade and Investment Growth (Joint, Standing)11 Oct 2023Being considered
1,051 daysReport 499 Inquiry into the Annual Performance Statements 2021–22Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)17 Oct 2023Answered in part
1,009 daysInquiry into the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in AustraliaAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (Joint, Standing)28 Nov 2023Being considered
1,008 daysLaw enforcement capabilities in relation to child exploitationLaw Enforcement (Joint, Statutory)29 Nov 2023Being considered
939 daysInterim report - Inquiry into the Australian Government's approach to negotiating trade and investment agreementsTrade and Investment Growth (Joint, Standing)6 Feb 2024Being considered
890 daysBetter Competition, Better Prices: Report on the inquiry into promoting economic dynamism, competition and business formationEconomics (House, Standing)26 Mar 2024Being considered
854 daysStrengthening Australia's approach to trade negotiationsTrade and Investment Growth (Joint, Standing)1 May 2024Being considered
827 daysDrowning in waste: Plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterwaysClimate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (House, Standing)28 May 2024Being considered
825 daysInquiry into Australia’s Human Rights FrameworkHuman Rights (Joint, Statutory)30 May 2024Being considered
793 daysReport 5/2024: Department of Defence – Australian Defence Force Academy Living-in Accommodation project and other worksPublic Works (Joint, Statutory)1 July 2024Being considered
730 daysCompulsory Income ManagementHuman Rights (Joint, Statutory)2 Sept 2024Being considered
693 daysMigration, Pathway to Nation BuildingMigration (Joint, Standing)9 Oct 2024Being considered
684 daysFlood failure to future fairnessEconomics (House, Standing)18 Oct 2024Being considered
667 daysReport 505: Inquiry into Policy and Program Design and ImplementationPublic Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)4 Nov 2024Answered in part
667 daysReport 506: Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022-2023Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)4 Nov 2024Answered in part
667 daysDigital platforms and the traditional news media – Second interim reportSocial Media and Australian Society (Joint, Select)4 Nov 2024Being considered
667 daysDigital platforms and the traditional news media – Final reportSocial Media and Australian Society (Joint, Select)4 Nov 2024Being considered
644 daysTrading North: Inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian MarketsAgriculture (House, Standing)27 Nov 2024Being considered
636 daysFinancial abuse: an insidious form of domestic violenceCorporations and Financial Services (Joint, Statutory)5 Dec 2024Being considered
551 daysFinal report: Inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under free trade agreementsTrade and Investment Growth (Joint, Standing)28 Feb 2025Being considered
526 daysReport 510: Inquiry into the use and governance of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entities - 'Proceed with Caution'Public Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)25 Mar 2025Being considered
302 daysAdvisory report on the Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025Intelligence and Security (Joint, Statutory)4 Nov 2025Being considered
203 daysReport 514: Inquiry into the procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abusePublic Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)11 Feb 2026Being considered
175 daysAnnual Report No. 1 of the 48th ParliamentNational Disability Insurance Scheme – Joint Standing11 Mar 2026Being considered
173 daysReport 515: Inquiry into the effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti- Doping SchemePublic Accounts and Audit (Joint, Statutory)13 Mar 2026Being considered
160 daysReport 231: - Pacific Resilience and Sport Manipulation TreatiesTreaties (Joint, Standing)26 Mar 2026Being considered
103 daysReview of the Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Act 2021Intelligence and Security (Joint, Statutory)22 May 2026Being considered
65 daysA Level Paying Field Report on the inquiry into schemes, digital wallets and innovation in the payments sectorEconomics (House, Standing)29 June 2026Being considered
65 daysBuilding Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyondEducation (House, Standing)29 June 2026Being considered
64 daysInquiry into the conduct of the 2025 federal election – interim reportElectoral Matters (Joint, Standing)30 June 2026Being considered

All editions →