Spending could worsen inflation
Several Coalition speakers argued the bill bankrolls extra government spending that would keep inflation and cost-of-living pressure higher rather than easing it, while also showing weak budget discipline.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025
Current status
This bill became law on Jun 26th, 2024.
Policy area
Budget, tax & economy
What does this bill do?
The Act allows the federal government to spend $162.591 billion from public revenue on its ordinary annual servicesThe government’s regular yearly spending on ongoing services and programs, as distinct from special or one-off spending. for 2024-25.
Why was it introduced?
The 2024-25 Budget left the government needing legal authority to spend money on its ordinary annual servicesThe government’s regular yearly spending on ongoing services and programs, as distinct from special or one-off spending. and ongoing programs. This bill provides that authority by appropriating money from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe federal government’s main bank account, which this bill authorises money to be taken from., with limited extra funding for urgent unforeseen costs.
Broader context
Each federal budget needs legislation to turn the government’s annual spending plan into legal authority, and the 2024-25 Budget set out funding for ordinary services alongside measures the government presented as cost-of-living relief and longer-term economic investment. Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025The main annual bill that authorises funding for ordinary government services in the budget year. was introduced that night to release $162.591 billion for those ongoing functions, include a limited advance for urgent unforeseen costs during the year, and then passed both houses before receiving Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law. in late June 2024.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that this appropriation funds a budget critics said spends too much in the wrong places, risking higher inflation and leaving households, housing and some services without enough real help. That case was raised most broadly by Coalition speakers, while Greens and some crossbench critics pushed a different objection that the money favoured investors, corporations and other priorities over renters and public need.
Who supported it?
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Introduced in House 14 May 2024
Passed House 06 June 2024
Passed Senate 25 June 2024
Became law 26 June 2024
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 26 June 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
2 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
43 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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The Act allows the federal government to spend $162.591 billion from public revenue on its ordinary annual servicesThe government’s regular yearly spending on ongoing services and programs, as distinct from special or one-off spending. for 2024-25.
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The Act provides money mainly to Australian Government departments and other non-corporate Commonwealth bodies to run government services and programs.
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The Finance Minister can approve extra spending during 2024-25 when urgent costs arise that were missed, understated or could not reasonably be foreseen in the budget.
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The Act sets aside up to $400 million that the Finance Minister can direct to any urgent purpose under that extra-spending power.
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The budget amounts can later be adjusted when agencies recover GSTGST recoveries can change the final amount appropriated, because the bill is drafted on a net basis. or when government functions move between departments.
Show source excerpts
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The total of the items specified in Schedule 1 is $162,591,075,000.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 introduced bill text -
The Bill provides for the appropriation of specified amounts for expenditure by Australian Government entities, primarily being non-corporate Commonwealth entities (non-corporate entities) under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum -
Subclause 10(1) of the Bill sets out the circumstances which must exist to enable the Finance Minister to make a determination under subclause 10(2) to provide for additional expenditure when satisfied that there is an urgent need for expenditure in the current year that is not provided for, or is insufficiently provided for, in Schedule 1 either because of an erroneous omission or understatement, or because of unforeseen circumstances. The allocated amount is referred to as the Advance to the Finance Minister (AFM).
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum -
Subclause 10(3) provides that the total amount that can be determined under the AFM provisions in the Bill, once enacted, is $400 million. This amount can be allocated for any purpose.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum -
The amounts in Schedule 1 to the Bill may be adjusted further in accordance with sections 74 to 75 of the PGPA Act. Specifically:
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum
Context
Broader context for this bill
Each federal budget needs legislation to turn the government’s annual spending plan into legal authority, and the 2024-25 Budget set out funding for ordinary services alongside measures the government presented as cost-of-living relief and longer-term economic investment. Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025The main annual bill that authorises funding for ordinary government services in the budget year. was introduced that night to release $162.591 billion for those ongoing functions, include a limited advance for urgent unforeseen costs during the year, and then passed both houses before receiving Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law. in late June 2024.
- 14 May 2024
Treasurer hands down the 2024-25 Budget
The budget set the government’s spending agenda for 2024-25 and created the need for annual appropriation bills to lawfully fund ordinary services.
Hansard ↗ - 14 May 2024
Government introduces the main annual appropriation bill
The bill was introduced to appropriate $162.591 billion for ordinary annual servicesThe government’s regular yearly spending on ongoing services and programs, as distinct from special or one-off spending. and provide up to $400 million for urgent costs that could not reasonably be foreseen in the Budget.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 06 June 2024
House passes the bill
The House completed its consideration and sent the bill to the Senate, keeping the government’s main 2024-25 spending legislation on schedule before the new financial year.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 25 June 2024
Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing the parliamentary approval needed for the government’s ordinary annual servicesThe government’s regular yearly spending on ongoing services and programs, as distinct from special or one-off spending. spending.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 26 June 2024
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law. turns the bill into law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law. made the appropriation available in time for the 2024-25 financial year, including the mechanism for urgent in-year advances if needed.
Parliamentary timeline ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 14 May 2024
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 14 May 2024
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 17 May 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 28 May 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 28 May 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
Second reading debate 29 May 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 30 May 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Returned from Federation Chamber 04 June 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
House second reading agreed 04 June 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 04 June 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
Consideration in detail 04 June 2024
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail 05 June 2024
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail 06 June 2024
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
Returned from Federation Chamber 06 June 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
House third reading agreed 06 June 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 24 June 2024
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 24 June 2024
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 25 June 2024
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate second reading agreed 25 June 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Senate third reading agreed 25 June 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Passed both houses 25 June 2024
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Assent 26 June 2024
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The main criticism was that this appropriation funds a budget critics said spends too much in the wrong places, risking higher inflation and leaving households, housing and some services without enough real help. That case was raised most broadly by Coalition speakers, while Greens and some crossbench critics pushed a different objection that the money favoured investors, corporations and other priorities over renters and public need.
Criticism was real but split between fiscal objections and arguments about spending priorities.
Money was aimed at the wrong priorities
Critics argued the budget funded by the bill puts money into areas like investor or corporate benefits, submarines and selected industry bets while doing too little on housing, day-to-day living costs, public education and direct help for people under pressure.
Regional services and capability could miss out
Some opponents said the spending plan leaves regional communities, infrastructure, digital capability and Australian research underfunded, making it a missed opportunity for better services and long-term productivity.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
How the bill itself passed
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
Passed House passed the bill
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
House passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed Senate passed the bill
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
Senate passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments at a glance
Recorded amendment and procedural votes grouped by chamber. Expand a vote to see the party breakdown.
Senate
Defeated Middle Arm gas hub criticism defeated
Defeated 12 to 29. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Jacqui Lambie Network, and Nationals.
Defeated
Middle Arm gas hub criticism defeated
The bill continued without that critical statement attached.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 18
Greens 10 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 9
Independent 2 / 0
Jacqui Lambie Network 0 / 1
Nationals 0 / 1
Defeated Call for full legal aid funding
Defeated 13 to 27. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals.
Defeated
Call for full legal aid funding
It was defeated 13-27, so the Senate did not add the call for increased legal aid funding and the bill advanced without that statement.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 18
Greens 10 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 8
Independent 2 / 0
Jacqui Lambie Network 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Jim Chalmers
Chalmers supports the bill and presents it as a responsible budget that helps people with cost-of-living pressures now while investing in longer-term economic strength.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead opposing voice Opposes
Jonathon Duniam
Duniam opposes the bill, saying the budget is a failure for the environment and for Tasmania because it misses major investments while shifting money to Canberra-based bureaucracy.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead supporting voice Supports
Helen Haines
Haines supports the appropriation bill, saying it contains some welcome measures such as energy bill relief, hospital funding and regional road spending.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead voice Supports
Alicia Payne
Payne supports the bill and presents it as a budget that delivers cost-of-living relief, better services, and major investment in Canberra and across Australia.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
19 speakers · 19 support
Labor
19 speakers · 19 support
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Jim Chalmers ★ Chalmers supports the bill and presents it as a responsible budget that helps people with cost-of-living pressures now while investing in longer-term economic strength.
“It's a responsible budget that helps people under pressure today—and invests in the promise and potential of the more prosperous future we can make together.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alicia Payne ★ Payne supports the bill and presents it as a budget that delivers cost-of-living relief, better services, and major investment in Canberra and across Australia.
“I'm very proud of the budget and that it's a budget that delivers for all Australians, including in Canberra.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Shayne Neumann Neumann supports the bill as part of a budget that he says delivers cost-of-living relief, tax cuts, energy bill help and major local investment for his electorate.
“At a macro level, through the budgetary process, we're getting debt and deficit under control. At a micro level, I know that people in my electorate find it hard with the cost-of-living pressures. The budget is designed to help people who are under pressure now, while setting Australians up for the future. I know that what's important to them is to make sure that, when they go to the shops and when they pay their energy bills, they can get a better deal for themselves.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Josh Burns Burns supports the bill and says it is a responsible budget that delivers cost-of-living help, more housing investment, student debt relief and funding for the clean energy transition.
“This budget is a responsible budget. It's one that delivers a surplus for the second time in two years—something those opposite put on a mug but didn't actually deliver in the budget papers. This budget is a reflection of responsible economic management, while also understanding that Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures and while also investing in the things we need for the future—investing in more homes, investing in the future of education, making sure that more Australians can access university but not be burdened by debt. This budget also invests in the clean energy future that we desperately need.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Daniel Mulino Mulino supports the bill and says it delivers targeted cost-of-living help, student debt relief, fee-free training and tax cuts while keeping the budget fiscally responsible.
“It's with great pleasure that I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-25, to support the passage of the bill and to speak about the positive impacts of the budget and the government's overarching economic strategy for people in my electorate and indeed for the nation more broadly.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Brian Mitchell Mitchell strongly supports the bill, saying it delivers tax cuts, power bill relief, Medicare and education spending, and investment in a future made in Australia.
“This budget is good for Australia. It's certainly good for Tasmania. More jobs, higher wages, bigger tax cuts, a future made in Australia—that's the plan. That's what Labor is delivering. Labor has delivered more jobs, higher wages and bigger tax cuts, and we are delivering a future made in Australia. That stands in stark contrast to the negativity and sheer incompetence of those opposite.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Tony Zappia Zappia supports the bill and says it is a responsible, carefully planned budget that backs cost-of-living relief, housing, veterans, health and other services.
“In closing, this is a budget that is responsible, it's a budget that's been sensibly thought through, it's a budget that sets out a plan for the future and it's a budget that I believe shows that the responsibility of addressing the nation's economy rests with the government of the day, and that's exactly what this government seeks to do with this budget.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Mike Freelander Freelander supports the appropriation bill and says the budget delivers practical help on tax cuts, cost of living, health, education and disability support.
“I strongly welcome these measures, and I know that whilst there's much more to do—especially when it comes to dealing with cost-of-living pressures—these are practical, important steps to handle these pressures while also tackling inflation and global problems. In terms of the other cost-of-living measures, there's the energy bill relief of $300 to every household. There's the rent assistance payments, the cheaper medicines policy, and in health we're doing what we can to improve access to primary care.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Susan Templeman Templeman supports the bill and presents it as a budget that delivers tax cuts, energy bill relief, housing investment and targeted help for women and young people.
“When it comes to homes, there's also $32 billion that we're investing in more social housing, more public housing, more affordable housing and more construction. There are incentives for people to build more homes so that they can be rented. There's funding for the urgent works that are required by state governments so that you can do residential construction. These are things that are encapsulated in this budget, which is a commitment to tackling the issues of the cost of living, housing and many others.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Carina Garland Garland supports the bill and says it delivers cost-of-living relief now while investing in housing, education, skills, industry and a stronger future economy.
“I'm really proud to be part of a government that's continuing to prioritise the welfare and future of Australians everywhere, and I commend these bills to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sharon Claydon Claydon supports the appropriation bill and argues it funds cost-of-living relief, housing, health, and safety measures for Australians.
“We know that there is a massive housing shortage in Australia. Whether you're renting, buying or building, more homes are necessary for more security for everyone, especially those people I represent in Newcastle. That's why we've got a very ambitious goal to build 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade. I know that there are some people who scoff at this bill, but I say that, if you do not dare to be ambitious about addressing this housing crisis, then you are wasting your time in this chamber.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jerome Laxale Laxale supports the bill and says it delivers cost-of-living relief, housing investment and better services for Bennelong and Australia.
“This is a budget I endorse and it's a big and good budget for Bennelong.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Anthony Albanese Albanese supports the bill and says it is part of the budget plan to deliver cost-of-living relief now and invest in a Future Made in Australia.
“I'm very proud to support the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 and the associated bills—our bills to deliver on our absolute commitment that was through this budget. The two barriers that we had were, firstly, to deliver cost-of-living relief in the short term and to assist people who are under pressure. Secondly, as well, it was to deliver on a Future Made in Australia. How does future economic growth come about?”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Cassandra Fernando Cassandra Fernando supports the bill and says it delivers for families through cost-of-living relief, housing, health and education spending, and a plan for future economic growth.
“This budget is a responsible budget that delivers for Australian families. This is a budget that delivers on our core priorities of cost of living, housing, health care and education. This is a budget with a vision for the future of our nation. This budget will drive down inflation. This budget has delivered back-to-back surpluses for the first time in 20 years. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, for their work on this bill, and I commend the budget to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Carol Brown Brown supports the bill and says it is part of the government's 2024-25 budget appropriations, providing $162.6 billion to fund major spending across social services, defence, health, foreign affairs, treasury, home affairs and employment.
“Appropriation Bill 1 seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $162.6 billion. Funding provided through this Bill will support the following significant items.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Anne Stanley Stanley supports the bill and says it is a Labor budget that responds to the cost-of-living pressures facing Australians with tax cuts, power rebates, rent assistance, health measures and HECS relief.
“I genuinely feel that this budget is a response to listening to the concerns of everyday Australians and that it is a step in the right direction in addressing the economic hurt so many are feeling. It has much more to offer all Australians and in its DNA it is authentically Labor. It is a budget I'm proud to defend.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Joanne Ryan Ryan समर्थन करती हैं और कहती हैं कि the bill is a responsible Labor budget that will ease cost-of-living pressure, help households and workers, and invest in the future.
“That's why I'm so proud of this budget. It's a budget that prioritises easing cost-of-living pressures and it's been designed to help every Australian, not just some. It is a Labor budget through and through. It's a budget to support those doing it tough and to build the industries needed to power Australia into the future.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Lisa Chesters Chesters supports the appropriation bill, saying the budget delivers fair regional funding, tax relief, cheaper medicines and other cost-of-living help for Bendigo and similar communities.
“So I really do want to recognise how the Treasurer has found the right balance in this budget. We are helping where we can, knowing that there's more that we could do, but not wanting to put that pressure on the Reserve Bank around interest rates. I want to commend the budget, and I encourage all those in this place to think about the change that it will make in our communities.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Steve Georganas Georganas supports the appropriation bill because he says the budget delivers consecutive surpluses while backing tax cuts, energy bill relief, housing investment and other measures to ease cost-of-living pressure.
“It's a great pleasure to be here to speak on our Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025, and I do so because I feel very proud to belong to a Labor government that has delivered, in consecutive budgets, a surplus, as well as delivering measures to make sure pressure on the cost of living is moved downwards—things like a Future Made in Australia, which will benefit our future economic growth as a nation. To have a good economy you need good future economic growth and products that we can make here in Australia to export as well as use locally. And, as I said, this was the second consecutive surplus that's been delivered in many, many years.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Coalition
15 speakers · 5 support · 10 oppose
Coalition
15 speakers · 5 support · 10 oppose
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Jonathon Duniam ★ Duniam opposes the bill, saying the budget is a failure for the environment and for Tasmania because it misses major investments while shifting money to Canberra-based bureaucracy.
“So I say this budget is a failure when it comes to the environment portfolio, and certainly it's a failure when it comes to the people of Tasmania, where we have been dudded and we now know how this government really feels about Tasmanian men, women and children, including salmon workers, right across the state. (Time expired)”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Luke Howarth Howarth opposes the bill, arguing that the budget gives Petrie and other communities too little on cost of living, housing, infrastructure and health.
“I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 and related bills, and on what Labor has delivered in this budget. The reality is that for the people of Petrie there's very little in this budget that the government can be proud of. In the last two years, this government has seen people's cost of living rise and their finances fall through the floor, with rents up, mortgages up and homelessness up.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Colin Boyce Colin Boyce opposes the bill, saying Labor's 2024-25 budget betrays regional Australia by cutting infrastructure funding, worsening the cost-of-living crisis, and wasting money on inflationary spending.
“I rise to speak on the appropriation bills 2024-25. The Labor government's 2024-25 budget is a betrayal of regional Australia. Labor's budget has stripped away funding from nation-building infrastructure in regional Australia and failed to provide new money for regional programs, while refusing to fix its self-made cost-of-living crisis. Labor's decision to slash funding to restore Paradise Dam is a kick in the guts for not only the Bundaberg area but the agriculture industry as a whole.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Keith Pitt Keith Pitt says the opposition will support the bill, but uses the speech to argue that Labor should stop describing regional grants as rorts and better understand the pressures on regional Australia during a cost-of-living crisis.
“We of course will support the appropriations bills, as all oppositions do. But I, for one, think the Labor government needs to reconsider its language on how regional areas are supported, particularly at a time like this where a cost-of-living crisis is in place.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Paul Scarr Scarr opposes the bill, arguing that the budget's spending is worsening inflation and making the Reserve Bank's job harder.
“That, from my perspective, provides objective evidence to every single Australian that the Labor government has the wrong fiscal policy for these current times.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Angus Taylor Taylor says the opposition will support the bill, but argues the budget behind it has failed Australians by adding more spending and taxation without fixing cost of living, inflation, or productivity.
“TAYLOR () (): I rise to speak on the appropriation bills of 2024-25. These bills, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2024-25, provide for the funds from consolidated revenue for the 2024-25 financial year. Collectively, these bills provide for expenditure worth $187.5 billion to support the operation of government for that year. We, of course, will be supporting these bills; however, the budget handed down with these appropriation bills has failed Australians.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Michael McCormack McCormack says the coalition will not block the appropriation bill because it is supply, but he attacks the budget for hiding spending on water buybacks, backing the live sheep trade ban, and neglecting regional communities and farmers.
“I'm actually pleased that I can speak on the appropriations bills this year, because last year we weren't given that opportunity, because Labor just cut it off. Of course, the coalition is never going to stop the appropriations bills because this is supply.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Mark Coulton Coulton opposes the budget because he says it does very little for regional western New South Wales and cuts projects and programs that matter to local communities.
“This is probably the last chance I will have to make a speech on an appropriation bill, and I find it incredibly frustrating. It shouldn't be like this. Good luck to the member for Bennelong with all the electric bus interchanges and medical centres and things that he's got in the inner suburbs of Sydney, but the people of regional Australia deserve better than this. They do not need to be ignored, and this budget, apart from what we've seen with the divisive Voice, has done very, very little for the people of western New South Wales.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Paul Fletcher Paul Fletcher opposes the bill, saying the budget it funds is a missed opportunity that fails households, businesses and the economy.
“I'm pleased to rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 to make some observations about the impact of the Albanese Labor government's third budget, which was brought down recently. This budget was a missed opportunity that failed to address the multiplicity of challenges facing Australian households, families and businesses.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Andrew Bragg Bragg opposes the bill and argues the government has used the budget to raise taxes, expand spending, and fund vested interests rather than fix housing, inflation, or bracket creep.
“Ultimately, the most depressing part of the fiscal debate is the lack of ambition. I am still surprised that we have wound back the only structural income tax reform that has been delivered by the last few parliaments, and now we have a position where the government has no plan to deal with bracket creep and no plan to cut taxes across the board, and has favoured this crony capitalism where you set up these massive government slush funds, put all your mates on the boards, give grants to your mates—if they ever get around to having a proper board meeting—and hire a whole lot of public servants to run around this building doing so-called government affairs.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Aaron Violi Violi opposes the bill, arguing that the budget does not address the cost-of-living crisis and instead offers only weak, out-of-touch relief.
“It is a pleasure to talk about the budget and Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025, although it is a tough conversation to have because we need to be realistic and understand that, despite the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and those opposite talking about how Australians have never had it better and about how lucky they are, the reality is the Australian people are struggling through the worst cost-of-living crisis in living memory.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jason Wood Wood opposes the appropriation bill and argues the budget is failing families and communities in his electorate because of higher mortgages, inflation, rising costs and cancelled local projects.
“So it's really tough out there for residents in La Trobe and right across the country. I've been to many budget speeches, in both government and opposition, and I can say that you could tell it wasn't a good budget when the Labor staff members came into the gallery. It was very subdued, because they knew it was not hitting the mark at all. Looking at the response by opposition leader Peter Dutton, people are agreeing that we need change. And I hear Labor member agreeing, too, and I thank you for that. We need change, and it has to come quickly. Bring this election on.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Bert Van Manen Bert Van Manen opposes the appropriation bill, saying the budget makes inflation and the cost of living worse instead of easing pressure on families.
“More broadly, in uncertain economic times such as these, we need a budget that gets back to basics, addresses the underlying issues and helps Australia get back on that. To do this, three key measures need to be met: the budget must restore our standard of living by addressing inflation and the pressures being felt by families at the check-out and from their energy bills; restore prosperity and create opportunity by supporting small businesses and helping young Australians into a home; and restore budget discipline and honesty by restraining spending, bringing back fiscal guardrails and a tax-to-GDP cap and delivering a structural surplus, not a windfall surplus. This is what a future coalition government will be focused on delivering.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Melissa Price Melissa Price says the opposition will not oppose the bill because it funds government programs, but she attacks the budget as a failed response to cost-of-living pressure and poor regional investment.
“I rise today to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 and related bills. Whilst I won't oppose these bills, which ensure that the government's programs are funded, I must express my deep disappointment with this year's budget. The central promise made by the Prime Minister at the last election was that if you voted for him and the Labor Party, you would be better off. Life would be cheaper; life would be better. However, as we all know, the opposite has occurred, and the cost of living has gone through the roof, impacting every Australian household. Housing is up 12 per cent. Rents are up 12 per cent as well. Insurance is up 26 per cent. In many parts of my electorate it's up significantly more than that 26 per cent. Electricity is up 18 per cent, and gas is up 25 per cent.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
James McGrath McGrath says the opposition will support the bill, but argues the budget behind it fails Australians because it does not address inflation, cost-of-living pressure, housing or spending discipline.
“The opposition will be supporting these bills; however, the budget handed down with these appropriation bills fails Australians. Australians needed a budget that got back to basics, and this was a budget that didn't.”
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Greens
5 speakers · 5 oppose
Greens
5 speakers · 5 oppose
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Adam Bandt Bandt opposes the bill, saying Labor's budget is not helping people with the cost of living and instead keeps giving special treatment to big corporations and wealthy property investors.
“This is a budget that does just enough so that Labor can say that they understand the challenges that people are facing while continuing the special treatment for big corporations and wealthy property investors. This is a budget that puts people under more pressure.”
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Max Chandler-Mather Chandler-Mather opposes the bill, arguing that the budget gives billions in tax handouts to property investors and corporations while doing too little to fix the housing crisis and cost-of-living pressure.
“It should be a great shame that this government, over the next four years, will be dishing out $175 billion in tax handouts to property investors but won't spend enough money to build the public housing that this country needs to ensure people like Lucie aren't forced to make choices like this.”
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Nick McKim McKim opposes the bill, arguing it is a business-as-usual budget that worsens climate damage and inequality while handing public money to fossil fuel corporations and wealthy interests.
“The government has also allocated, and it's in this budget, $1.5 billion of public money to develop the Middle Arm site, which will turn Darwin Harbour into a giant gas export facility and a giant petrochemical hub. Again, the petroleum, coal and gas corporations make off with crisis superprofits, and the petrochemical corporations make off with crisis superprofits, underwritten by billions in public subsidies delivered by the Australian Labor Party to corporate donors in the fossil fuel cartel. That's what's going on here. This is necro-capitalism. And this budget, in the face of the great challenges of our times, is an abject failure.”
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Elizabeth Watson-Brown Watson-Brown opposes the appropriation bill, saying it is a budget for fossil fuel companies, private schools and wealthy investors rather than everyday Australians.
“With this budget, Labor are saying that they would rather buy nuclear submarines, weapons and fund climate bombs like the Middle Arm gas project than fund libraries, science lessons or toilets for our kids. They'll give huge handouts to private schools, fossil fuel companies and property investors but cry poor when it comes to funding our public schools and our kids' futures.”
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Stephen Bates Bates opposes the budget bill, saying it is just tinkering around the edges and fails to tackle the systemic causes of inequality, poverty and environmental damage.
“This budget is bandaid solutions—tinkering around the edges—and it refuses to address the systemic causes of the massive social and economic issues we are all facing in this country. What we need is bold, progressive reform. That looks like having no new coal and gas, fully funding our state schools, getting dental and mental health into Medicare, having publicly owned renewable energy, taxing billionaires and big corporations properly, creating a public developer to build thousands of new homes and funding frontline services, just to name a few.”
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Minor parties and independents
1 speaker · 1 support
Minor parties and independents
1 speaker · 1 support
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Helen Haines ★ Haines supports the appropriation bill, saying it contains some welcome measures such as energy bill relief, hospital funding and regional road spending.
“This budget has some welcome measures, and I understand the government's challenges in not wanting to fuel inflation. It's vital that we bring inflation down, to ease cost-of-living pressure. However, where the government has announced funding in their housing and their Future Made in Australia policies in particular, the regions remain a blind spot. I'm worried about it, and I want the government to step up to the challenge.”
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Record
Full record
- Act title
- Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2024-2025
- Act number
- Act No. 47, 2024
- Became law
- 26 June 2024
- Takes effect
- The whole of this Act 01 July 2024
- Registered
- 27 June 2024
- Administered by
- Department of Finance
- Final law metadata was collected from the APH progress table; commencement rows were parsed from the bill text.
- Status
- Act -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- 14 May 2024
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 14 May 2024
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 17 May 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 28 May 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 28 May 2024
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 29 May 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 30 May 2024
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 June 2024
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 June 2024
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 04 June 2024
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 June 2024
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
- 05 June 2024
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
- 06 June 2024
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
- 06 June 2024
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 06 June 2024
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 24 June 2024
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 24 June 2024
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 25 June 2024
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 25 June 2024
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 25 June 2024
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 25 June 2024
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
- 26 June 2024
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into law., turning the bill into an Act.