Support without endorsement
The opposition said it would not oppose the appropriation bills because they funded continuing government services, but argued that did not endorse the government's economic program.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026
Current status
This bill became law on Oct 29th, 2025.
Policy area
Budget, tax & economy
What does this bill do?
Appropriates $195.149 million from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for expenditure by the parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. in 2025-26.
Why was it introduced?
The bill was introduced because the 2025-26 appropriation bills introduced in the previous Parliament lapsed when the House was dissolved before the federal election. Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. had already covered about the first five months of 2025-26, so this bill provided the remaining seven-twelfths of annual funding for parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office., including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office.
Broader context
This Act is the annual appropriation law for the parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office., paired with the main Appropriation Act (No. 1) and Appropriation Act (No. 2) for the 2025-26 Budget. Supply legislation had already provided temporary funding through to the end of November 2025, after earlier budget bills lapsed at the election. Debate on the package was mostly about supply, budget priorities, cost of living, infrastructure and energy policy rather than detailed changes to parliamentary department funding.
Key criticism
The collected record shows the Coalition did not oppose the appropriation bills, but used the debate to criticise the government's economic management, cost-of-living record, energy policy and spending choices. One Nation also sought a second-reading amendment to delay the appropriation package until amendments were circulated to remove funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
Who supported it?
Daniel Mulino, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, moved the second reading for the government. introduced this bill.
Introduced in House 30 July 2025
Passed House 09 Oct 2025
Passed Senate 28 Oct 2025
Became law 29 Oct 2025
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 29 Oct 2025
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
1 recorded amendment or procedural vote was found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
91 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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Appropriates $195.149 million from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for expenditure by the parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. in 2025-26.
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Reintroduces a parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. appropriation billA bill that authorises government spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified purposes. that had lapsed when the House of Representatives was dissolved, so the remaining seven-twelfths of 2025-26 annual appropriationsA bill that authorises government spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified purposes. and Budget measures could be funded.
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Funds the Department of the Senate, Department of the House of Representatives, Department of Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office, with the largest allocation being $155.013 million for Parliamentary Services.
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Together with the earlier Parliamentary DepartmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. Supply ActAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass., the minister said the bill would provide $334.7 million in total 2025-26 funding for parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office..
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Includes an urgent or unforeseen expenditure mechanism for parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office., with combined caps of $300,000 each for the Senate, House and Parliamentary Budget Office, and $1 million for Parliamentary Services.
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Commenced on Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act., which was recorded on 29 October 2025; the Act was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 30 October 2025.
Show source excerpts
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The total of the items specified in Schedule 1 is $195,149,000.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 as made -
These Bills are being reintroduced in order to provide the remaining 7/12ths of the estimated 2025-26 annual appropriations for anticipated government expenditure until the end of June 2026 (for the final seven months of 2025-26), as well as funding for the 2025-26 Budget measures.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum -
Department of the Senate 17,061 ... Department of the House of Representatives 17,555 ... Department of Parliamentary Services 155,013 ... Parliamentary Budget Office 5,520 ... Total 195,149
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 as made -
Together with the Parliamentary Departments Supply Act (No. 1), this would provide the total funding of $334.7 million to support the expenditure of parliamentary departments in 2025-26.
Daniel Mulino's second reading speech -
Subclause 11(3) provides that the total amount ... for the Department of the Senate cannot be more than $300,000. Subclause 11(4) ... Department of the House of Representatives cannot be more than $300,000. Subclause 11(5) ... Department of Parliamentary Services cannot be more than $1 million. Subclause 11(6) ... Parliamentary Budget Office cannot be more than $300,000.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum -
The whole of this Act 29 Oct 2025
Federal Register of Legislation metadata and Act text
Context
Broader context for this bill
This Act is the annual appropriation law for the parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office., paired with the main Appropriation Act (No. 1) and Appropriation Act (No. 2) for the 2025-26 Budget. Supply legislation had already provided temporary funding through to the end of November 2025, after earlier budget bills lapsed at the election. Debate on the package was mostly about supply, budget priorities, cost of living, infrastructure and energy policy rather than detailed changes to parliamentary department funding.
- 25 Mar 2025
Earlier budget bills introduced
The explanatory memorandum says the 2025-26 appropriation bills were introduced into the 47th Parliament alongside the supply bills on 25 March 2025.
Explanatory memorandum ↗ - 28 Mar 2025
Earlier bills lapse at dissolution
The same memorandum says those appropriation bills lapsed when the House of Representatives was dissolved on 28 March 2025.
Explanatory memorandum ↗ - 01 July 2025
Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. begin covering first months
The 2025-26 Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. commenced on 1 July 2025 and provided about five-twelfths of estimated annual appropriationsA bill that authorises government spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified purposes. through to the end of November.
Explanatory memorandum ↗ - 30 July 2025
Parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. bill reintroduced
The bill was introduced and the second reading was moved in the House of Representatives on 30 July 2025.
APH bill page ↗ - 28 Oct 2025
Senate passes the appropriation package
After defeating Senator Roberts's second-reading amendment, the Senate agreed to the second and third readings and the bill passed both houses.
Senate Hansard and APH bill page ↗ - 29 Oct 2025
Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act. given
Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act. was recorded on 29 October 2025, turning the bill into Appropriation (Parliamentary DepartmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office.) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026.
APH bill page and Federal Register of Legislation ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 30 July 2025
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 30 July 2025
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 01 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 02 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 03 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 04 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
Federation Chamber debate 04 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
Returned to House for further consideration 04 Sept 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 07 Oct 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
House second reading agreed 09 Oct 2025
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
Returned from Federation Chamber 09 Oct 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
House third reading agreed 09 Oct 2025
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 27 Oct 2025
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 27 Oct 2025
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 27 Oct 2025
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate second reading agreed 28 Oct 2025
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 28 Oct 2025
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Passed both houses 28 Oct 2025
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Assent 29 Oct 2025
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The collected record shows the Coalition did not oppose the appropriation bills, but used the debate to criticise the government's economic management, cost-of-living record, energy policy and spending choices. One Nation also sought a second-reading amendment to delay the appropriation package until amendments were circulated to remove funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
The bill still passed both houses. The r7352 APH source bundle records the Senate division on Senator Roberts's amendment, while the amendment wording was checked against the related appropriation-package amendment sheet collected for r7353.
Cost-of-living criticism
Coalition speakers argued that households were under pressure from inflation, housing, insurance and energy costs, and used the debate to challenge the government's budget priorities.
Energy and net-zero objections
Some speakers criticised renewable-energy policy and net-zero-related spending; Senator Roberts's defeated second-reading amendment sought to delay the bills until net-zero funding was removed.
Regional infrastructure concerns
Some regional and opposition speakers used the debate to argue that government spending priorities were not meeting local road, bridge and community infrastructure needs.
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 Delay bills to remove net-zero funding
Moved by Malcolm Roberts (Pauline Hanson's One Nation). Defeated 4 to 38. Support came from One Nation and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal Party, Australia's Voice, and minor parties and independents.
Defeated
Delay bills to remove net-zero funding
If agreed, the Senate would not have proceeded with the appropriation package until amendments were circulated removing funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal Party 0 / 3
One Nation 3 / 0
Independent 0 / 2
Australia's Voice 0 / 1
UAP 1 / 0
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
Daniel Mulino
Daniel Mulino moved the second reading and said the bill would fund parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. for the final seven months of 2025-26.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Mixed
Helen Haines
Helen Haines welcomed funding for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program and said it would help households use solar power more effectively.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead voice Supports
Shayne Neumann
Shayne Neumann supported the bills and defended the government's economic record, arguing inflation had returned to the target band while employment and wages remained strong.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead voice Supports
Alicia Payne
Alicia Payne supported the package of appropriation bills and described budget management as a question of national priorities.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
10 speakers · 10 support
Labor
10 speakers · 10 support
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Shayne Neumann ★ Shayne Neumann supported the bills and defended the government's economic record, arguing inflation had returned to the target band while employment and wages remained strong.
“I'm pleased to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, to support the passage of them”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alicia Payne ★ Alicia Payne supported the package of appropriation bills and described budget management as a question of national priorities.
“I rise in support of the package of appropriation bills.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Julie-Ann Campbell Julie-Ann Campbell supported the budget bills and said the 2025-26 Budget focused on cost of living, health and housing.
“The 2025-26 budget is firmly focused on those issues—not just talking about them, not just empty rhetoric about them”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sarah Witty Sarah Witty strongly supported the appropriation bills and framed them as investments in fairness, opportunity and communities.
“I rise today in strong support of these appropriation bills because at their heart are fairness, opportunity and building a future that works for every Australian.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Libby Coker Libby Coker supported the budget and said it invested in regional health, education, housing and cost-of-living relief.
“This budget also invests in scholarships for nurses and midwives, supporting the next generation of health professionals in our region.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jodie Belyea Jodie Belyea supported Labor's budget agenda and linked it to investment in Dunkley.
“The Albanese Labor government is aspirational, and it is a reflection of the community of Dunkley”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Claire Clutterham Claire Clutterham supported the government's budget approach and described election commitments for Sturt across health care, sport, infrastructure, culture and community facilities.
“Election commitments are an important part of election campaigns because they provide incumbents and candidates the opportunity to really connect with their communities”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Trish Cook Trish Cook supported the appropriation bills as the legal authority for budget spending and said they reflected Labor priorities.
“Labor's appropriation bill reflects our priorities and our Labor values.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Anne Urquhart Anne Urquhart supported the appropriation bills and argued Labor was governing for all communities, including regional Tasmania.
“Braddon will benefit from two Medicare mental health centres.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Daniel Mulino ★ Daniel Mulino moved the second reading and said the bill would fund parliamentary departmentsThe departments that support the work of Parliament, including the Senate, House of Representatives, Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office. for the final seven months of 2025-26.
“This bill seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $195.1 million.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Coalition
7 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 mixed · 1 unclear
Coalition
7 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 mixed · 1 unclear
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Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Joyce used the debate to criticise debt, fiscal management and policy settings including the NDIS and energy transition.
“I think I should start by talking about the debt.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sam Birrell Sam Birrell used the budget debate to argue that Labor policies on energy, water, infrastructure and labour were putting pressure on regional agriculture and manufacturing in Nicholls.
“However, I feel this is under threat from the policies of the Labor government in relation to energy, water, infrastructure and labour.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alison Penfold Alison Penfold used the debate to press for road and bridge repair funding in Lyne after major flood damage.
“I rise tonight to speak on probably the most important issue for Lyne residents, certainly the one that is raised with me every day, and that is the state of roads right across the Lyne electorate.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Anne Webster Anne Webster criticised the government's energy and cost-of-living record while speaking on the appropriation bills.
“Labor promised Australians permanent energy bill relief, but, instead, they have been hit with yet another spike in the cost of living.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Tim Wilson 2 contributions Tim Wilson continued his local funding critique, arguing that Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston residents needed infrastructure, community safety upgrades and postal services.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Tim Wilson on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Tim Wilson used the debate to press the government to honour local funding commitments and restore infrastructure support in Goldstein. He focused on adult learning, sporting facilities, safety upgrades and community infrastructure that he said had been left behind.
“Every community needs essential services to help residents live successful lives.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Tim Wilson continued his local funding critique, arguing that Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston residents needed infrastructure, community safety upgrades and postal services. He said Labor had removed $100 million from the community and should fund promised local projects.
“Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston residents should have decent infrastructure.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗ -
Ted O'Brien Ted O'Brien said the opposition would not oppose the appropriation bills because they funded continuing government services.
“To be very clear, the opposition will not oppose these bills. Our support ensures the continuity of essential government services and funding for ongoing activities.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Mary Aldred Mary Aldred's contribution mainly discussed local sporting, civic and community issues in Monash rather than taking a clear position on the appropriation bills.
“I'm delighted to come to my first point this evening, which is on the Gippsland United basketball league men's team division 1”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Minor parties and independents
1 speaker · 1 mixed
Minor parties and independents
1 speaker · 1 mixed
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Helen Haines ★ Helen Haines welcomed funding for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program and said it would help households use solar power more effectively.
“I commend the government for rolling out the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, but we know that this policy didn't actually start with government.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Act title
- Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Act (No. 1) 2025-2026
- Act number
- Act No. 49, 2025
- Became law
- 29 Oct 2025
- Takes effect
- The whole of this Act 29 Oct 2025
- Registered
- 30 Oct 2025
- 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
- 30 July 2025
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.
- 30 July 2025
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.
- 01 Sept 2025
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 02 Sept 2025
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 03 Sept 2025
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 Sept 2025
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 Sept 2025
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 Sept 2025
House · Returned to House for further consideration
Returned to House for further consideration
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 07 Oct 2025
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 09 Oct 2025
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.
- 09 Oct 2025
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 09 Oct 2025
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 27 Oct 2025
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.
- 27 Oct 2025
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.
- 27 Oct 2025
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 28 Oct 2025
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.
- 28 Oct 2025
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 28 Oct 2025
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
- 29 Oct 2025
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.