Appropriation 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 $83,444,802,000 from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for the ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. of government 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. It provided the remaining seven-twelfths of 2025-26 funding, plus Budget measures, for 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 the main ordinary-annual-services appropriation law for the 2025-26 Budget, paired with Appropriation Act (No. 2) 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 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, regional infrastructure, energy policy 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. Regional and opposition speakers also raised concerns about energy policy, roads and local infrastructure. One Nation went further in the Senate by seeking to delay further consideration until net zero funding was removed; that amendment was defeated.

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

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

Official record

View on APH

Parliament of Australia bill page

What does this bill do?

  1. Appropriates $83,444,802,000 from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe main Commonwealth public money account from which Parliament authorises federal spending. for the ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. of government in 2025-26.

  2. 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.

  3. Covers ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. only; spending outside that constitutional category was handled separately in Appropriation BillA bill that authorises government spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for specified purposes. (No. 2) and the parliamentary departments bill.

  4. Schedule 1 provides departmental, administered and corporate entity items, the three appropriation item types described for ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending. in Part 2.

  5. The largest portfolio totals in Schedule 1 include about $27.03 billion for Defence, $22.91 billion for Health, Disability and Ageing, $4.97 billion for Home Affairs, and $4.93 billion for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

  6. Keeps 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 spending, capped with the Supply ActAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. (No. 1) advance at $400 million.

  7. The Act commenced on the day it received Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act.; Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act. was recorded on 29 October 2025.

Show source excerpts
  1. The total of the items specified in Schedule 1 is $83,444,802,000.
    Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 as made
  2. 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. 1) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum
  3. In accordance with sections 53 and 54 of the Australian Constitution, appropriations for the ordinary annual services of the Government must be contained in a separate Bill from other appropriations.
    Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum
  4. Part 2 of the Bill proposes appropriations to make payments of the amounts in Schedule 1 for departmental items (clause 7), administered items (clause 8) and corporate entity items (clause 9).
    Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 explanatory memorandum
  5. Defence 27,034,885 Education 1,444,249 Employment and Workplace Relations 3,019,700 Finance 2,360,875 Foreign Affairs and Trade 4,927,454 Health, Disability and Ageing 22,908,805 Home Affairs 4,965,464
    Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 as made
  6. The total of the amounts determined under subsection (2) of this section and subsection 10(2) of the Supply Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 cannot be more than $400 million.
    Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2025-2026 as made
  7. The whole of this Act The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.
    Federal Register of Legislation metadata and Act text

Broader context for this bill

This Act is the main ordinary-annual-services appropriation law for the 2025-26 Budget, paired with Appropriation Act (No. 2) 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 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, regional infrastructure, energy policy and net-zero-related expenditure.

  1. 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 ↗
  2. 28 Mar 2025

    Election dissolution lapses the bills

    The same memorandum says those appropriation bills lapsed when the House of Representatives was dissolved on 28 March 2025.

    Explanatory memorandum ↗
  3. 01 July 2025

    Supply ActsAn interim appropriation law that funds government until the main annual appropriation Acts pass. cover the 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 ↗
  4. 30 July 2025

    Government reintroduces ordinary-services funding

    Daniel Mulino introduced the bill in the House and said it sought about $83.4 billion for ordinary annual servicesA constitutional category for regular government services, which must be appropriated separately from other spending., with the package needing passage before the end of November for continuity of programs and Commonwealth entities.

    Minister’s second reading speech ↗
  5. 09 Oct 2025

    House passes the budget bill

    The APH progress table records the House agreeing to the third reading on 9 October 2025 after second-reading and consideration-in-detail stages.

    APH bill page ↗
  6. 28 Oct 2025

    Senate rejects net zero delay

    The Senate defeated Senator Malcolm Roberts’s second-reading amendment to delay the bills until amendments removed net zero funding, then agreed to the original second-reading question.

    Senate division record ↗
  7. 29 Oct 2025

    Royal AssentThe formal approval that turns a bill passed by both houses into an Act. starts the Act

    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. 1) 2025-2026.

    APH bill page and Federal Register of Legislation ↗

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.

House second reading agreed 07 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

Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 07 Oct 2025

The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.

Referred to Federation Chamber

Consideration in detail 07 Oct 2025

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

Consideration in detail 08 Oct 2025

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

Consideration in detail 09 Oct 2025

The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.

Consideration in detail debate

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.

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. Regional and opposition speakers also raised concerns about energy policy, roads and local infrastructure. One Nation went further in the Senate by seeking to delay further consideration until net zero funding was removed; that amendment was defeated.

The bill still passed both houses. The main recorded division was on the Roberts second-reading amendment, not on a text amendment to the bill itself.

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.

Raised by Ted O’Brien, Liberal Party Source ↗

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.

Raised by Coalition speakers Source ↗

Net zero funding objection

Senator Malcolm Roberts proposed delaying the bills until amendments were circulated to remove funding for net zero measures and their administration.

Raised by Senator Malcolm Roberts for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Source ↗

Regional infrastructure concerns

Some regional and opposition speakers used the debate to argue that government spending priorities were not meeting local road-repair, disaster-recovery and infrastructure needs.

Raised by National Party and Liberal speakers Source ↗

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.

09 Oct 2025

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.

28 Oct 2025

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

Call to remove net zero funding

Aye 4 No 38

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.

28 Oct 2025

Party Recorded votes 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.

Who spoke, and what they said

Start here — lead voices

Sponsor speech Supports

Daniel Mulino

Australian Labor Party • MP 30 July 2025

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

Independent • MP 02 Sept 2025

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

Australian Labor Party • MP 01 Sept 2025

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

Australian Labor Party • MP 04 Sept 2025

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

  1. 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”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. 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.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 04 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. 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.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. 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”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 03 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. 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”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  6. 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.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. 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.”

    Australian Labor Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Coalition

7 speakers · 8 contributions · 6 mixed · 1 unclear

  1. 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.”

    National Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  2. 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.”

    National Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  3. 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.”

    National Party • MP • 03 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  4. 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.”

    National Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  5. 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 Liberal Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    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 Liberal Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    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 ↗
  6. 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.”

    Liberal Party • MP • 01 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
  7. 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”

    Liberal Party • MP • 02 Sept 2025

    Read the full speech in Hansard ↗

Minor parties and independents

1 speaker · 1 mixed

Full record

Full chat