This bill became law on Feb 14th, 2025.
Budget, tax & economy
Australia provides an extra $5.080634 billion in 2024-25 for government spending approved in this Act, on top of earlier budget laws.
Government decisions made after the 2024-25 Budget left a gap in funding for services that are not the government's ordinary annual services. This bill provides extra money from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main federal account that money is drawn from when Parliament approves government spending. to cover that spending through the additional estimatesA mid-year round of extra appropriations used when later government decisions need new legal spending authority. process.
Earlier 2024-25 appropriation laws funded the government’s usual spending after the May 2024 Budget, but ministers later made extra decisions that still needed legal authority for programs outside ordinary annual services. Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025The bill that authorises extra government spending for the 2024-25 financial year beyond the main budget laws already passed. was introduced through the additional estimatesA mid-year round of extra appropriations used when later government decisions need new legal spending authority. process in February 2025 to provide another $5.080634 billion, and after Parliament passed it and Royal Assent followed, that money could be issued and the separate urgent spending advance under Appropriation Act (No. 2) returned to its full $600 million limit.
The main criticism was not that this appropriations bill should fail, but that it funds spending opponents said reflects wasteful priorities and broader economic mismanagement that worsens inflation and cost-of-living pressure. Those objections were raised mainly by Coalition speakers who still backed the bill to keep government services running, while One Nation separately tried and failed to strip climate-related funding.
Stephen Jones MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 14 Feb 2025
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
10 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia provides an extra $5.080634 billion in 2024-25 for government spending approved in this Act, on top of earlier budget laws.
Australian Government departments can use some of this money for new grants, benefits and transfer payments tied to specific public outcomes.
The Act lets ministers set the amounts, timing and conditions for some payments to states, territories and local councils.
The urgent spending reserve under Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2024-2025 returns to its full $600 million limit after this Act starts.
The Act prevents double funding by cutting this Act's amount if the same spending was already covered through an earlier urgent advance.
The total of the items specified in Schedule 2 is $5,080,634,000.Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2024-2025 final Act text
New administered outcomes are administered by a non-corporate entity on behalf of the Government (e.g. certain grants, benefits and transfer payments). These payments are usually made pursuant to eligibility rules and conditions established by the Government or the Parliament. Specifically, administered items are tied to outcomes (departmental items are not).Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum
Although financial assistance is provided to the ACT, NT and local governments without reference to section 96 of the Constitution, those payments are administered in the same way. Therefore, the Ministers named in Schedule 1 may set the amounts and timing and impose terms and conditions on those payments. Subclause 14(5) also notes that clause 14 will not limit the powers of the Commonwealth under section 96 of the Constitution to provide financial assistance to a State which is not appropriated by a State, ACT, NT and local government item.Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum
Subclause 12(1) of the Bill provides that irrespective of the amounts allocated from the AFM before the commencement of the Bill once enacted, the amount available under section 12 of the Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2024-2025 will be restored to the original amount of $600 million after the commencement of the Bill once enacted. This ensures that there will be sufficient scope to provide amounts from the AFM for the remainder of the financial year. From the date this Bill commences as an Act, the total amount that can be determined under the AFM will again be $600 million.Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum
Subclause 12(2) prevents appropriations for the same expenditure from both the AFM and the Bill. It provides that if the Bill appropriates an amount for particular expenditure but prior to the commencement of this Bill as an Act, the Finance Minister allocates an amount from the AFM for the same expenditure (the advanced amount), then the appropriation in this Bill, once enacted, will be reduced by the amount of the advanced amount. The appropriated amount cannot be reduced below nil.Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum
Context
Earlier 2024-25 appropriation laws funded the government’s usual spending after the May 2024 Budget, but ministers later made extra decisions that still needed legal authority for programs outside ordinary annual services. Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025The bill that authorises extra government spending for the 2024-25 financial year beyond the main budget laws already passed. was introduced through the additional estimatesA mid-year round of extra appropriations used when later government decisions need new legal spending authority. process in February 2025 to provide another $5.080634 billion, and after Parliament passed it and Royal Assent followed, that money could be issued and the separate urgent spending advance under Appropriation Act (No. 2) returned to its full $600 million limit.
2024-25 Budget sets the main funding base
The 2024-25 Budget and earlier appropriation laws provided the starting pool of funding for government operations before later spending decisions were made.
Hansard ↗Post-budget decisions create a funding gap for non-ordinary services
Government decisions made after the 2024-25 Budget left spending on items outside ordinary annual services needing extra appropriation through additional estimatesA mid-year round of extra appropriations used when later government decisions need new legal spending authority..
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces a $5.1 billion additional appropriation bill
The minister said the bill sought about $5.1 billion for 2024-25, including major funding for renewable energy, transmission projects and household energy upgrades.
Hansard ↗House passes the bill
The House agreed to the bill after debate, advancing legislation that MPs said was needed to keep services running and fund decisions made since the May 2024 Budget.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
The Senate passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary approval for the extra 2024-25 spending.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal Assent turns the bill into law
Royal Assent made the measure an Act so the extra appropriations could be issued and the urgent spending advance under Appropriation Act (No. 2) could return to its full $600 million limit.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
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
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Considered by scrutiny committee (13/02/2025): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 2 of 2025
Considered by scrutiny committee
APH bill page notesThe Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not that this appropriations bill should fail, but that it funds spending opponents said reflects wasteful priorities and broader economic mismanagement that worsens inflation and cost-of-living pressure. Those objections were raised mainly by Coalition speakers who still backed the bill to keep government services running, while One Nation separately tried and failed to strip climate-related funding.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill itself, but some criticised spending priorities and specific funded areas.
Spending seen as poorly targeted and inflationary
Several opposition speakers argued the bill was necessary to keep services operating, but said the spending behind it reflected broader economic mismanagement, waste and priorities that had added to inflation, business pressure and household cost-of-living strain rather than being tightly targeted.
Objection to climate and energy funding
A narrower criticism targeted money connected to the Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio, with an attempt in the Senate to cut or omit that funding from the package.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
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 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.
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 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 grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
Senate
The Senate defeated Senator Malcolm Roberts’s proposal to remove Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio funding from the bill.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Stephen Jones supports the bill, saying it authorises $5.1 billion in extra spending for 2024-25 to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency, defence capability, NBNThe broadband infrastructure program that is mentioned as one of the spending areas supported by the bill. upgrades and regional transport support.
Read in Hansard ↗James Stevens says the opposition will support the bill because it provides funding to keep government running through the election period and to support the transition to a future Dutton government.
Read in Hansard ↗Violi says the bill is an important spending measure and supports it as part of the appropriation package, while arguing that government spending must be appropriate and well targeted.
Read in Hansard ↗Howarth says the opposition will support the bill so government services can keep running, but uses the speech to attack Labor for economic mismanagement and rising cost-of-living pressures.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
1 speaker · 1 support
“This bill seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $5.1 billion for the 2024-25 financial year. These appropriations will support the following significant items.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
10 speakers · 6 support · 4 unclear
“I rise to support the passage of the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, as well as the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025 and the Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025, as we all do on this side of the chamber. It's very important that we make sure the government has the funding that it needs to get through the election period and support the commencement of a new Dutton government before a budget can be passed by that new government at a later stage this year, so we very much support ensuring that the resources are in place for that important transition that is almost upon the Australian people because we desperately need a change in this country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These appropriation bills, Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025, are important, because they bring together government spending, and we always need to make sure that that is appropriate and well targeted.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The opposition supports this legislation to ensure the smooth operation of government and the uninterrupted provision of services that the Australian people rely on. However, while we support these bills as a matter of necessity, we must also use this opportunity to highlight the grave economic mismanagement that has led us to this point and put Australians under so much cost-of-living pressure.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm pleased to have the opportunity to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025. I want to deal with what is, in my view, a very interesting case study of the issues raised by Labor's wrongheaded decision to employ 36,000 more public servants at a cost of an extra $24 billion. Since we've been talking about this, the usual union bosses and other bloviating bloodsuckers and parasites on the long-suffering Australian taxpayer have been out there complaining that if you cut public servants then service levels will fall.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025 and Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 are necessary appropriations to ensure the continued delivery of essential government service funding decisions made since the 2024-25 budget, which was announced in May last year. Now, that said, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to appropriations and this government. I'm always amazed about how many truck drivers listen to the federal parliament whilst they're traversing this wide, brown land. I'm always impressed by the number of truckies who contact my office when I speak in parliament about certain things. Sometimes they agree; sometimes they do not.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Now, of course the coalition supports these bills to ensure the smooth operation of government and the uninterrupted provision of services that Australians rely on.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Why is this important for the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025 and the related bills? Because it is absolutely vital that government gets its spending right so that it actually benefits communities, grows communities, makes communities stronger and benefits the whole nation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This set of appropriation bills— Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025—seeks appropriations for a combined $12.1 billion. We on this side of the House care greatly about how taxpayers' money is spent, and an incoming Dutton and Littleproud government will have the nation's first minister for government efficiency, in the form of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, alongside the future assistant minister for waste reduction, James Stephens. I cannot wait to see them run the ruler over every agency and find efficiencies and, of course, inefficiencies.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition supports this legislation to ensure the smooth operation of government and the uninterrupted provision of services upon which Australians rely.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition supports these bills because we believe in ensuring essential services continuing but we cannot and will not ignore the shocking economic failures that have made this spending necessary.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
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.
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.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
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.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
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.
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.
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.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Considered by scrutiny committee
Considered by scrutiny committee (13 Feb 2025): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 2 of 2025
APH bill page notes
