Support without endorsement
The opposition said it would not oppose supply, but argued that support for government services did not amount to endorsing the government's economic program.
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026
Current status
This bill became law on Oct 29th, 2025.
Policy area
Budget, tax & economy
What does this bill do?
Appropriates $14,571,651,000 from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for 2025-26 services that are not the ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. of government.
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. It provided the remaining seven-twelfths of 2025-26 funding, plus Budget measures, for spending that is not classified as the ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. of government. The ministerial speech also framed passage before the end of November as necessary for continuity of government programs and Commonwealth entities.
Broader context
This Act is one of the core annual appropriation laws for the 2025-26 Budget, paired with Appropriation Act (No. 1) and the parliamentary departments appropriation. Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. had already covered roughly the first five months of the financial year, so this bill completed the remaining funding authority after the earlier budget bills lapsed at the election. The debate was less about whether supply should pass and more about the government's budget priorities, cost-of-living record, infrastructure spending and net-zero-related expenditure.
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 and spending choices. A One Nation second-reading amendment went further, seeking to delay further consideration until amendments removed funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
Who supported it?
Daniel Mulino MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
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
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
91 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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Appropriates $14,571,651,000 from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for 2025-26 services that are not the ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. of government.
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Reintroduces a 2025-26 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 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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Covers non-ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. such as payments to states and territories, administered items, administered assets and liabilities, equity injections and payments to corporate entities.
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The largest portfolio totals in Schedule 2 include about $7.16 billion for Defence, $2.42 billion for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and $1.69 billion for Finance.
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Maintains an Advance to the Finance MinisterA capped mechanism allowing extra appropriations for urgent or unforeseen expenditure during the financial year. mechanism for urgent or unforeseen expenditure, capped with the Supply ActAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. (No. 2) advance at $600 million.
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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 2 is $14,571,651,000.
Appropriation Act (No. 2) 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 Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum -
Part 2 of the Bill proposes appropriations to make payments of the amounts in Schedule 2 for State, ACT, NT and local government items (clause 7), administered items (clause 8), administered assets and liabilities items (clause 9), other departmental items (clause 10) and corporate entity items (clause 11).
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum -
Department of Defence ... 7,160,041 ... Total: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, ... 2,418,411 ... Total: Finance ... 1,685,382
Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2025-2026 as made -
Subclause 12(3) provides that the total amount that can be determined under subclause 12(2) and subsection 12(2) of the Supply Act (No. 2) 2025-2026 cannot be more than $600 million.
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 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 one of the core annual appropriation laws for the 2025-26 Budget, paired with Appropriation Act (No. 1) and the parliamentary departments appropriation. Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. had already covered roughly the first five months of the financial year, so this bill completed the remaining funding authority after the earlier budget bills lapsed at the election. The debate was less about whether supply should pass and more about the government's budget priorities, cost-of-living record, infrastructure spending and net-zero-related expenditure.
- 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
Bill reintroduced in the House
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
Bill passes both houses
The APH progress table records final passage through both houses on 28 October 2025.
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 Act (No. 2) 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 and spending choices. A One Nation second-reading amendment went further, seeking to delay further consideration until amendments removed funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
The bill still passed both houses, and the collected record contains no recorded division on the bill or amendment.
Cost-of-living criticism
Coalition speakers argued that households were worse off under the government and linked the budget bills to wider concerns about inflation, housing, insurance and energy costs.
Net-zero funding objection
One Nation proposed delaying the bills until amendments were circulated to remove funding for net-zero measures and their administration.
Regional infrastructure concerns
Some regional and opposition speakers used the debate to argue that government spending priorities were not meeting local infrastructure and road-repair needs.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
How the bill itself passed
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for 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.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Daniel Mulino
Daniel Mulino moved the second reading and presented the bill as part of the package underpinning the government's 2025-26 Budget.
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 presented the bill as part of the package underpinning the government's 2025-26 Budget.
“Appropriation Bill (No. 2) seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $14.6 billion.”
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 Act (No. 2) 2025-2026
- Act number
- Act No. 48, 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
- Parliamentary passage
- 90 days -- From introduction on 30 July 2025 to final passage on 28 October 2025.
- Recorded divisions
- 0 -- No division records were collected for this bill.
- Proposed amendments
- 1 -- One Senate second-reading amendment sheet was collected.
- 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.