Spending, taxes and debt
Opposition speakers said the appropriations reflected excessive government spending, higher taxes and rising debt, warning this would add to inflation and leave households worse off.
Appropriation
Current status
This bill became law on Jun 30th, 2026.
Policy area
Budget, tax & economy
What does this bill do?
(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Finance,
Why was it introduced?
The Constitution requires ordinary annual government spending to be authorised in a separate bill from other appropriations. This bill lets money be drawn from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe central pool of Commonwealth public money that can only be spent when Parliament authorises it. for 2026-27 spending that is not for the ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. of government.
Broader context
Australia’s annual budget funding already had to be split between ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. and other spending, with Portfolio Budget StatementsBudget papers that explain how money in the appropriation bills is expected to be allocated across departments, agencies and outcomes. giving Parliament the allocation detail for each portfolio. For the 2026–27 Budget, Daniel Mulino MP introduced Appropriation Bill (No. 2)This annual budget bill funds spending that is outside the ordinary yearly running costs of government, such as some capital, grants and payments to states. 2026–2027 to authorise $33.7 billion from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe central pool of Commonwealth public money that can only be spent when Parliament authorises it. for non-ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending., and Parliament passed it before Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the funding authority available for the financial year.
Key criticism
Critics argued the bill formed part of a budget that spent too much, raised taxes and debt, and would worsen cost-of-living, housing and regional pressures rather than ease them. The strongest objections came from Coalition MPs, while the Greens and One Nation pressed narrower Senate amendments on gas taxation, NDISThe national scheme that funds supports for eligible Australians with disability; the Greens amendment criticised budget cuts to it. cuts and net zero funding that were defeated.
Who supported it?
Daniel Mulino MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Introduced in House 12 May 2026
Passed House 04 June 2026
Passed Senate 29 June 2026
Became law 30 June 2026
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 30 June 2026
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
2 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
49 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Finance,
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An entity as defined in section 10 of the PGPA ActThe main Commonwealth law setting financial management rules for government entities, including how appropriations can be adjusted or used.
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The purpose of the portfolio statementsBudget papers that explain how money in the appropriation bills is expected to be allocated across departments, agencies and outcomes. is to provide information on the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes by Commonwealth entities within each portfolio.
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Items may be adjusted to take into account the transfer of functions between non-corporate entities, in accordance with section 75 of the PGPA ActThe main Commonwealth law setting financial management rules for government entities, including how appropriations can be adjusted or used..
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Subclause 8(1) provides for the appropriation of new administered outcome amounts to be applied by a non-corporate entityA Commonwealth body that is legally part of the Commonwealth, such as most departments, and can spend directly from an appropriation. for the purpose of contributing to the outcome for a non-corporate entityA Commonwealth body that is legally part of the Commonwealth, such as most departments, and can spend directly from an appropriation..
Show source excerpts
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(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Finance,
Appropriation explanatory memorandum -
An entity as defined in section 10 of the PGPA Act
Appropriation explanatory memorandum -
The purpose of the portfolio statements is to provide information on the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes by Commonwealth entities within each portfolio.
Appropriation explanatory memorandum -
Items may be adjusted to take into account the transfer of functions between non-corporate entities, in accordance with section 75 of the PGPA Act.
Appropriation explanatory memorandum -
Subclause 8(1) provides for the appropriation of new administered outcome amounts to be applied by a non-corporate entity for the purpose of contributing to the outcome for a non-corporate entity.
Appropriation explanatory memorandum
Context
Broader context for this bill
Australia’s annual budget funding already had to be split between ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. and other spending, with Portfolio Budget StatementsBudget papers that explain how money in the appropriation bills is expected to be allocated across departments, agencies and outcomes. giving Parliament the allocation detail for each portfolio. For the 2026–27 Budget, Daniel Mulino MP introduced Appropriation Bill (No. 2)This annual budget bill funds spending that is outside the ordinary yearly running costs of government, such as some capital, grants and payments to states. 2026–2027 to authorise $33.7 billion from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe central pool of Commonwealth public money that can only be spent when Parliament authorises it. for non-ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending., and Parliament passed it before Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the funding authority available for the financial year.
- May 2026
Portfolio Budget StatementsBudget papers that explain how money in the appropriation bills is expected to be allocated across departments, agencies and outcomes. set out 2026–27 allocations
The Portfolio Budget StatementsBudget papers that explain how money in the appropriation bills is expected to be allocated across departments, agencies and outcomes. were published and tabled to give Parliament details of the proposed resources for government outcomes across portfolios.
Treasury ↗ - 12 May 2026
Daniel Mulino MP introduces the non-ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes.
The bill was introduced as part of the 2026–27 Budget appropriation package and sought $33.7 billion from the Consolidated Revenue FundThe central pool of Commonwealth public money that can only be spent when Parliament authorises it. for spending outside the ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. of government.
Hansard ↗ - 04 June 2026
House passes the bill
The House agreed to the bill at second and third readings, completing its passage through the originating chamber.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 29 June 2026
Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary approval for the non-ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. appropriation.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 30 June 2026
Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. makes the appropriation law
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act before the 2026–27 financial year began.
Parliamentary timeline ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 12 May 2026
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 12 May 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 25 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Sent to Federation Chamber for debate 26 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
Federation Chamber debate 26 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
Second reading debate 27 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 28 May 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Returned to House for further consideration 04 June 2026
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House second reading agreed 04 June 2026
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
House third reading agreed 04 June 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 22 June 2026
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 22 June 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Scrutiny of Bills review 25 June 2026
Considered by scrutiny committee (25/06/2026): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 7 of 2026
Scrutiny Digest 7 of 2026
APH bill page notesSenate second reading agreed 29 June 2026
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 29 June 2026
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Passed both houses 29 June 2026
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Assent 30 June 2026
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
Critics argued the bill formed part of a budget that spent too much, raised taxes and debt, and would worsen cost-of-living, housing and regional pressures rather than ease them. The strongest objections came from Coalition MPs, while the Greens and One Nation pressed narrower Senate amendments on gas taxation, NDISThe national scheme that funds supports for eligible Australians with disability; the Greens amendment criticised budget cuts to it. cuts and net zero funding that were defeated.
Criticism was mostly directed at the wider budget package, not the bill’s appropriation machinery.
Housing and investment effects
Some critics argued the budget’s tax and housing measures would punish aspiration and investment, including small investors and businesses, and could make renting and housing affordability worse.
Regional communities missing out
Regional Coalition MPs said the budget made regional Australians pay more while cutting or underfunding roads, agriculture, water and local services, increasing pressure on families, small businesses and primary producers.
Narrow Senate amendment concerns
The Greens sought to criticise the budget for not taxing gas export revenue more heavily and for NDISThe national scheme that funds supports for eligible Australians with disability; the Greens amendment criticised budget cuts to it. cuts, while One Nation sought to stop funding for net zero measures; both amendments were defeated.
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 Call to reverse NDIS cuts
Defeated 10 to 33. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Defeated
Call to reverse NDIS cuts
This was not a direct change to the law in the bill text but a proposed statement attached to the second-reading motion. Its defeat meant the Senate refused to add that call on NDISThe national scheme that funds supports for eligible Australians with disability; the Greens amendment criticised budget cuts to it. funding and gas tax policy to its formal position before passing the bill.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Greens 10 / 0
Liberal 0 / 5
One Nation 0 / 4
Independent 0 / 1
UAP 0 / 1
Defeated Call to remove net zero funding
Moved by David Pocock. Defeated 5 to 38. Support came from One Nation and UAP. Opposition came from Labor, Greens, Liberal, and minor parties and independents.
Defeated
Call to remove net zero funding
This was a second-reading position-taking amendment rather than a direct textual amendment to the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes.. Its defeat meant the Senate rejected using the budget bills to press for removal of all net zero funding, and the main second-reading question then passed.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 22
Greens 0 / 10
Liberal 0 / 5
One Nation 4 / 0
Independent 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 supports the bill and urges the House to pass it, saying it provides the 2026-27 appropriations for non-ordinary government services and backs major spending on defence, housing, infrastructure and urgent unforeseen needs.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead opposing voice Opposes
Julian Leeser
Julian Leeser says he opposes the bill because he sees the budget as a broken-promise package of tax increases that will hurt small business, investors, retirees and housing supply.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead supporting voice Supports
Elizabeth Watson-Brown
Elizabeth Watson-Brown does not try to block the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., but says the budget fails Australians because it is too timid and does not include a 25 per cent tax on gas exports.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Unclear
Zali Steggall
Zali Steggall criticises the appropriation package as responding to some immediate pressures but failing bigger tests, especially on climate resilience, support for vulnerable people and the design of tax changes.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
27 speakers · 27 support
Labor
27 speakers · 27 support
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Shayne Neumann Shayne Neumann strongly supports the appropriation bills, saying the budget delivers tax cuts, housing help and stronger Medicare while helping households and businesses through the fuel crisis.
“This budget is about relief, recovery and resilience, and I'm proud to speak on the appropriation bills associated with it. It delivers more tax cuts and a fair go at buying your own home, and it strengthens Medicare for all. It's about getting workers, families and businesses in my community through the current global fuel crisis while building a stronger economy that works for more people. At the outset, I want to say that the budget is a budget dedicated to tax relief for 13.3 million Australian workers, helping more people realise the great Australian dream of homeownership and creating a fairer and more sustainable tax system for all Australians.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Julian Hill Julian Hill backs the appropriation package, saying it is a responsible budget that gives cost-of-living relief now while strengthening the economy and the budget against global uncertainty.
“I want to contrast the government's budget with the opposition's chaos and cuts. This is a responsible budget. It's focused on relief now, resilience for the country in the face of global shocks and reform to set us up for success in the future, particularly for the next generation. It's a tough environment globally and for many in Australia. The conflict in the Middle East is weighing heavily on our economy and compounding the cost-of-living pressures experienced by too many Australians. The budget is about delivering more cost-of-living help and building a more productive economy, a better tax system and a fairer housing market with a stronger and more sustainable budget.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Peter Khalil Peter Khalil backs the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes. and the budget measures it funds, arguing they make necessary reforms to help workers, first home buyers, small businesses and vulnerable young people.
“So there's a lot of misinformation in the ecosystem, but we know this: small businesses are the backbone of the Australian community and of employing people. This government will continue to support them through all this noise, through all this white noise and this smoke and mirrors, by delivering through these bills into law the support that they need to be able to be successful in small business. So we change the culture and the distortions that have occurred for decades, which have funnelled people away from investing in small businesses. As some of the people on the other side would know, there are exemptions all the way through already for businesses with a turnover of under $2 million or assets of less than $6 million, so 90-plus per cent of small businesses are not affected by any of these changes.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Justine Elliot Justine Elliot supports the appropriation package, saying the bill helps fund Labor's budget measures on cost-of-living relief, housing, Medicare and energy security while also pursuing longer-term tax and housing reform.
“This budget also supports vulnerable Australians and really, at the end of it, also helps more people achieve the security of their own home, because we want to build an economy that works for everyone, no matter where you live. Particularly for areas like mine in regional Australia, this budget really provides a lot of assistance. We want to build an economy that's stronger, fairer and, really importantly, more resilient to the many global shocks that we have seen. We're building that economy not just for today but for future generations of Australians, particularly through our housing reforms to ensure there's an even playing field for younger Australians. And the response to this has been overwhelming because young people have had so many difficulties in accessing housing.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Rob Mitchell Rob Mitchell strongly backs the bill, arguing the budget is building the nation’s future by helping working people with housing, tax relief, infrastructure and cost-of-living support after years of coalition neglect.
“Four years ago, we inherited a broken taxation system, and we've been focused and determined to fix it. The concessions favour those who produce in our economy, and they couldn't come at a better time, with a global oil shock and a housing crisis. We are delivering tax relief. We are building an economy that works for people. An economy begins with homeownership. A dream of homeownership is part of the Australian story. Sadly, as I said, right now it's just too hard for many Australians to get into their own home and get ahead. A decade of coalition government let these conditions take root. In recent weeks, the opposition has made much of the 'aspirational Australians' budget, but it's a very narrow and limited view of the world. Why should aspiration be limited to people who can afford to trade assets? Aspiration should extend to a childcare worker, a nurse or a teacher who's working hard and trying to get ahead. We know this. That's why these landmark reforms to capital gains tax and negative gearing are being introduced. I'm happy to be on the record, even as late as last year, saying that I had discussed with the Treasurer my support for restricting tax breaks for housing investors to brand new properties and for grandfathering the current arrangements for existing landlords. I was clear that I'd certainly support changes to capital gains tax and I would support changes to negative gearing. Now budget night has come and gone and we are getting on with the job, cleaning up the mess that was left to us by those opposite.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alicia Payne Alicia Payne strongly backs the appropriation package, saying it is a responsible Labor budget that gives cost-of-living relief, invests in health, housing and clean energy, and delivers substantial benefits for Canberra.
“This budget is a responsible and forward-looking plan that recognises the pressures people are under right now while also making our economy fairer into the future. Canberrans are feeling the pressure right now, and this budget meets those pressures head on. It delivers targeted cost-of-living relief, strengthens essential services like health and housing that people rely on, supports Australia's transition to clean energy and reinforces a more resilient economy. Importantly, it reflects Labor values of fairness, opportunity and ensuring that no-one is left behind. For the ACT, it continues a strong record of investment in our services, infrastructure and national institutions. It ensures that Canberra remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alison Byrnes Alison Byrnes strongly supports the appropriation package, saying it is a fair, bold Labor budget that helps with cost-of-living pressures, housing, business and health while making the tax system fairer.
“This is a big, bold and fair budget. It's a Labor budget at its core, putting fairness first and supporting Australians. I'm proud to be part of the team delivering for the Illawarra and I commend the bill to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kate Thwaites Kate Thwaites supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying it delivers practical cost-of-living relief, strengthens Medicare, improves housing affordability and invests in Australia’s long-term resilience.
“These bills deliver cost-of-living relief. They strengthen Medicare, they support housing affordability and they invest in Australia's long-term resilience in an uncertain world. I know how important these investments are right now and will continue to be to my local community. I know what it means when a local family can access free, urgent health care close to home. I know what it means when a young person gets a fairer shot at buying their first home. And I know what it means when governments invest in the communities they represent. Ultimately, budgets are about people and about the types of communities we want to build and the type of country we want Australia to be.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kara Cook Kara Cook supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying the budget delivers practical cost-of-living relief and stronger investment in health, housing, education and small business.
“This budget builds on the work of the Albanese Labor government, delivering more cost-of-living relief, stronger health care, more housing and greater opportunities for all Australians. While Australians are working hard, we know many are still doing it tough. This budget responds to that challenge. It delivers more tax cuts for every taxpayer, putting more money back into people's pockets when it matters most, benefiting millions of workers right across the country, including more than three million Queenslanders.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Ed Husic Ed Husic strongly backs the budget and the bill, arguing they deliver fairer housing policy, stronger Medicare and cost-of-living relief while helping first home buyers.
“If I may find some sort of agreement with the member for Gippsland, the previous coalition speaker, I will say this: budgets are a reflection of values and we absolutely in this budget demonstrate values—values of fairness for first home buyers who want to get a foot in the door and values of better health care for people by investing in Medicare. I think Medicare is a great reflection of Australian values—that we all chip in to make sure that, when people need help with their health, they are not dependent on their wallet. We all chip in to provide a quality universal healthcare system. If you compare us to the United States, one of the biggest causes of bankruptcy there is medical costs. We don't have that here. We're providing now, under this budget, cheaper medicines. We've made permanent Medicare urgent care clinics, like the one we opened up in Rooty Hill in 2023 that has seen nearly 23,000 people out of hours and given them urgent health care, and all people needed to bring to get that help was their Medicare card. It's a terrific development.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Susan Templeman Susan Templeman strongly backs the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget delivers practical help through tax cuts, housing measures, fuel security and major health funding.
“Our efforts to help people with the cost of living, through this budget and previous ones, is seen starkly in health. This budget contains more work in the healthcare area—like making medicines cheaper by listing new and amended medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, including treatments for cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease and various cancers, with $5.9 billion provided over five years. An additional $25 billion over five years will strengthen our public hospitals. We're also securing the future of Medicare urgent care clinics, with $1.8 billion over five years, with ongoing secure funding.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Tony Zappia Tony Zappia supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying the budget is a responsible response to global uncertainty that still delivers practical benefits including long-term South Australian road funding, fuel security, health spending and cost-of-living relief.
“This is a responsible budget for the times. Budgets are never easy. I can never recall walking into this chamber at budget time and listening to a government saying how easy it is to balance their budget. It's never easy. But under all the circumstances that Australia faces right now, this is the right budget for the times.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Julie-Ann Campbell Julie-Ann Campbell supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget delivers needed cost-of-living relief and practical investment in health, housing and local infrastructure.
“Nearly two weeks ago we stood in this chamber and heard the Treasurer handing down the 2026-27 budget. It's a budget that delivers what Australia needs right now. It's responsible, it implements real reform and it's about making sure the economy works better for more Australians, not just a few. It doesn't matter where you go in my local electorate on Brisbane's south side, whether it's a barbecue in Tarragindi, whether it's on the doors in Annerley, whether it's an event in Sunnybank, whether it's on a street corner in Acacia Ridge, everyone raises the same challenges that they and their families are facing again and again and again. Those challenges are housing and cost of living.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Steve Georganas Steve Georganas supports the appropriation package, including the bill, because he says it funds housing, health, tax relief and infrastructure measures that will help Australians doing it tough.
“I rise in support of Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027 and Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 because they're not simply legislative measures; these are commitments to fund new initiatives, to strengthen existing programs and to deliver real support for those who need it and where Australians need it the most. The measures in this budget are to help Australians in every way possible, especially the ones who have been missing out for a number of years.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Matt Thistlethwaite Matt Thistlethwaite strongly backs the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget’s tax and spending measures will fix a broken tax system, boost housing supply and productivity, and improve the budget position while giving relief to working Australians.
“These reforms ensure that we can generate additional revenue and budget savings. The revenue will increase by $44 billion to 2028-29 since MYEFO. We're also ensuring that there are savings that are outlined in our budget through reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, to the way private health insurance operates and to uncommitted funding across programs. In total, there's $63.8 billion in savings in this budget alone. That will take pressure off Australians because we will be able to return some of those savings to Australians in the form of returning bracket creep. That's in the form of the two tax cuts that are coming over the course of the next two years, the working Australians tax offset, the $1,000 deduction and being able to halve the fuel excise at the moment while Australians are facing increasing prices at the bowser. Because we're making those responsible decisions, because we're reforming our taxation system and because we've been able to find savings, we're able to return some of the bracket creep to Australians in the form of lower taxes and additional incentives in our taxation system.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Louise Miller-Frost Louise Miller-Frost strongly backs the appropriation package, saying it is a responsible reform budget that gives cost-of-living relief while investing in health, housing, aged care and fuel security.
“This is a responsible budget, a reforming budget, a budget designed to promote economic resilience. It's a budget for all Australians, young and old, no matter your background. And it's a budget that recognises the urgency of the moment, a moment that the Albanese Labor government is determined to meet. I commend these bills to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Jerome Laxale Jerome Laxale backs the appropriation package, saying it delivers needed cost-of-living relief and structural reforms on housing, tax and small business to make the system fairer for working Australians and younger home buyers.
“We need to build a better Australia for young people, to give them the opportunity to own their first home, to give them a foothold. Already these policies are working. Every weekend, we're seeing news reports of first home buyers getting into their first home. They're shocked, surprised that they are no longer competing against investors for existing stock. This is a good thing. We need people to have the aspiration to own their first home, just like I was able to and just like many people in previous generations were able to. These are tough reforms, but we are doing them for the right reasons and at the right time. I commend these bills to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Zaneta Mascarenhas Zaneta Mascarenhas strongly supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget makes fairer choices by backing first home buyers, strengthening Medicare and funding practical community services.
“Do you know what this budget is about? It is a choice. It is a choice about a first home buyer getting into their own home or someone wanting their third investment property. It chooses people who want to live in a home over people who want to profit from homes. That is a choice that this government is proud to make. This is a government that is not afraid of reform, and this budget proves it.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Madonna Jarrett Madonna Jarrett strongly supports the bill, saying the budget backs cost-of-living relief and major housing and tax reforms to make the economy fairer for workers and first home buyers.
“Those opposite want to keep younger Australians down and want to continue to lock them out of the housing market. They showed their true colours voting against our cost-of-living measures, including our tax cuts. They have said they will vote against tax reform—the tax reforms that are being introduced in this bill—and that, if this reform gets passed by the parliament, they will repeal them when they are next in government. What we are doing is making fundamental change to support our communities and get more people into a home of their own. We are helping with cost of living through this bill. And I want to say to the young people across Australia and in my Brisbane electorate: this government wants to support you, to give you the best opportunities in life and to give you a fair crack. That's the Australian way, and that's what we will always fight for.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Libby Coker Libby Coker strongly backs the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying the budget gives practical cost-of-living relief while investing in housing, Medicare, education and clean energy.
“Labor's budget backs working Australians not just in principle but in practice. It supports families under pressure. It strengthens Medicare. It builds housing supply. It makes the tax system fairer and it invests in clean energy and our environment. This budget moves us in the right direction—a direction grounded in fairness, opportunity and responsibility. It recognises the pressures people are under and responds with practical measures that make a difference. It invests in the future, not just in the present. It ensures that Australia remains a hopeful nation that continues to believe in a fair go for all, where opportunity is not determined by postcode, background or circumstance but by effort, contribution and fairness.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sharon Claydon Sharon Claydon supports the bill, arguing that it delivers Labor's budget priorities on cost-of-living relief through more health funding, cheaper medicines, housing action and lower energy bills.
“The measures I've spoken of today are united by a simple principle. Labor believes government should make life better for ordinary Australians—not harder, not more expensive and not more uncertain. Government should not be dragging us back to the last century. Whether it's strengthening Medicare, making medicines cheaper, expanding mental health care, supporting older Australians or investing in cleaner, cheaper energy—these are reforms designed to improve people's lives. They are reforms grounded in fairness, grounded in opportunity and grounded in the belief that no Australian should be left behind. That's what this government is delivering, and that's why these investments matter so deeply to communities like Newcastle and the Hunter.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Ali France Ali France strongly supports the appropriation package, including the bill, saying it backs the 2026 budget's cost-of-living relief, health, housing and fuel-security measures and builds a fairer, more resilient economy.
“I rise to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 and other appropriation bills for 2026-2027. Our Treasurer delivered the 2026 budget two weeks ago, and it is a budget for every Australian. It is a budget for workers, for first home buyers, for families struggling with cost-of-living pressures and for future generations. It is an ambitious budget in a challenging global environment. It is a budget full of tough decisions to build resilience and bolster our economy, while also finally addressing intergenerational inequality. It is a budget that delivers more cost-of-living relief, more funding for Medicare, housing, aged care and much-needed tax reform. It also delivers for my home state of Queensland. This is a budget about resilience and security, getting Australians through the global oil shock while building a fair economy that works for more people. I am incredibly proud of it.”
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Basem Abdo Basem Abdo strongly supports the appropriation package, saying the budget backs workers, small business, health care and energy security while making the economy fairer and more productive.
“Having grown up in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, I've always been determined to fight to ensure that aspiration is afforded to everyone who works and contributes, not just an exclusive realm for people who already own significant wealth while leaving policy settings in place which serve to leave the many behind. This is what this budget is fundamentally about: rewarding work, aspiration and restoring fairness. This budget shows ours is a government determined to tackle the problems facing this country. It is a calm, thoughtful response to a generational problem decades in the making.”
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Rowan Holzberger Rowan Holzberger backs the bill as part of Labor's budget, arguing it takes on the housing crisis and other pressures instead of accepting the status quo.
“Unbelievably, we are already seeing results. We are seeing first home buyers, over just two weekends in, who are able to compete against investors, as they aren't using the money that they were getting from taxpayers to prop up their bids. Already we're seeing results. It might have taken us 40 years to get into this mess, but we don't have 40 years to fix it. And so I commend the bill to this House, as part of the government's strategy to fix things up for— (Time expired)”
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Jo Briskey Jo Briskey supports the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes. because she says the budget backs Labor’s housing, health and cost-of-living plans and makes needed reforms to help younger and working Australians.
“This budget is about creating opportunities. It is pro-aspiration for people seeking to enter the housing market and invest in their future, especially for young people. It is pro-worker for those families feeling the pinch and in need of tax relief. It is pro-investment for individuals and businesses looking to build their futures with shares and portfolios. This Albanese Labor government is not shying away from the difficult reforms that are necessary to build our nation's future. We are proud of what we have delivered, but we know there is more work to do. Good governments listen to their constituents, they do not alienate parts of their communities, and they do not pit them against each other.”
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Tim Ayres Tim Ayres backs the bill as part of the 2026-27 budget, saying it provides $33.7 billion for non-ordinary annual servicesThe usual yearly operating costs of government, which the Constitution requires to be funded in a separate appropriation bill from other spending. including defence, housing finance, infrastructure and a contingency fund for urgent spending.
“Appropriation Bill 2 seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $33.7 billion. This Bill provides appropriations for services that are not the ordinary annual services of government for the 2026-27 financial year.”
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Daniel Mulino ★ Daniel Mulino supports the bill and urges the House to pass it, saying it provides the 2026-27 appropriations for non-ordinary government services and backs major spending on defence, housing, infrastructure and urgent unforeseen needs.
“Full details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the schedules to the bill, the explanatory memorandum, and the portfolio budget statements. I commend this bill to the chamber.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Coalition
19 speakers · 20 contributions · 17 oppose · 2 unclear
Coalition
19 speakers · 20 contributions · 17 oppose · 2 unclear
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Julian Leeser ★ Julian Leeser says he opposes the bill because he sees the budget as a broken-promise package of tax increases that will hurt small business, investors, retirees and housing supply.
“We oppose this budget and its tax increases. I can't support a budget that taxes and disadvantages my community as much as this budget does. This is a bad Labor budget. It deserves to be opposed. We will fight these toxic taxes every step of the way. If they get through, we will repeal them.”
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Darren Chester Darren Chester opposes the bill, arguing the budget breaks election promises and will leave Australians worse off through higher taxes, fewer homes and lower living standards.
“Instead of a plan for the future of regional Australia, in the budget we saw more broken promises, higher taxes, more debt, lower living standards and fewer homes for Australians. The budget papers themselves say that, under the changes being delivered by this government, 35,000 fewer homes will be built. That's in their own budget papers.”
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Simon Kennedy Simon Kennedy opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying Labor's budget punishes saving, investment and homeownership with higher taxes and broken election promises.
“I would love to fight an election on this issue. It's a shame we didn't, and they weren't upfront about it 12 months ago. I think we would have had a very different result. I'd love to, but they're trying to jam it in between elections. I think we could win an election on this, but I hope they backflip on it. I really do hope this is backflipped on because I think it will destroy Australia. We're hearing about carve-outs, and now we're hearing in the press carve-outs aren't going to fix it. It's not going to go far enough. We need these taxes axed for Andrew and his wife, a teacher and a nurse. That is the face of what is happening here. This budget's not just a fiscal document; it's a statement of values. And Labor's values are clear. If you work hard, they're going to tax you more. If you save, they will tax you more. If you invest, they will tax you more. If you run a small business, they will tax you more. If you try to build a future for your family, they will make that harder. It's not reform; it's an assault on everyday Australians. And the great contradiction is this: Labor says it wants more housing and more housing supply, but its policies will drive investment away from housing. Labor says it wants to help renters, but fewer investors means fewer rental homes, and we know how many: 35,000. It's in black and white in the budget papers for that policy.”
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David Batt David Batt does not appear to address Appropriation BillA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes. (No.
“I rise to speak to the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027. Labor's budget of broken promises and higher taxes destroys any concept of a fair go for the people of Hinkler. I was on the road only last week with my mobile offices straight off the bat. At every stop on the map, from Fishermen's Park at Urangan to Pialba, from the foreshore at Bargara to Woodgate Beach and to the bustling main street of Childers and then across to Bundaberg, in every location I've heard loud and clear that confidence is low and so, too, is the trust in this Labor government. There's the lack of a fair go for veterans, the unfair private health insurance rebate removal for our over-65s, despair over Labor's toxic taxes and crippling conditions for small businesses.”
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Colin Boyce Colin Boyce opposes the bill as part of what he calls an appalling budget that punishes aspiration and leaves families, veterans, seniors and regional communities worse off.
“This budget reveals something deeper than bad economics. It reveals a government that fundamentally misunderstands aspiration. Labor sees aspiration as something suspicious: 'If you start a business, we tax you. If you invest, we tax you. If you save, we tax you. If you inherit something from your parents, we're going to tax you. And, if you drive a truck, work in the mining industry or rely on affordable energy, we're going to regulate you into oblivion.' This government does not believe that prosperity is created by individuals and communities. It believes that prosperity belongs first to the government. This budget is not about building Australia stronger; it is about managing its decline. It asks Australians to expect less, own less, save less and aspire less. But Australians are better than that. Regional Australians are better than that. The people of Flynn are better than that. Australians do not want a government that punishes success and subsidises failure. This is an appalling budget. Words fail me.”
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Alison Penfold Alison Penfold opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying the budget shortchanges rural and regional Australia and breaks promises through tax changes while failing to fund key local needs like roads, health, telecommunications, water and flood recovery.
“Taken as a whole, this budget lets rural and regional people down big time. It's a budget that defunds regional Australia. It's as though Labor has drawn a line around metropolitan Labor seats and said, 'The rest of you: you'll have to make do.'”
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Aaron Violi Aaron Violi opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget makes life harder rather than easier because it offers no real cost-of-living relief and reflects broader Labor failures on taxes, debt and broken promises.
“But this is really about this budget. There are lots of failures in this budget. It is important that we talk about it because the Australian people are struggling on so many fronts. They're worried about their future, their children's future and the state of the country. Disappointingly, Labor's budget only makes those worries worse. It does not help Australians today. This budget provides zero cost-of-living relief for the Australian people today. When I'm out listening to locals in my community, many express that they don't feel this government has their backs and that this government doesn't understand the challenges they have.”
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Jason Wood Jason Wood opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget is a broken-promise package that raises taxes, adds debt and will worsen housing and cost-of-living pressures.
“The budget was just a budget of broken promises, higher taxes, more debt, lower living standards and fewer homes for Australians. There is a projected decade of deficits worth about $150 billion, with gross debt of around $1.25 trillion, annual interest costs of over $42 billion per year—that's roughly $80,000 per minute. Higher taxes of about $50 billion in total were announced, including $15 billion from personal income tax. Government spending is at its highest level in 40 years, outside of the pandemic. There are 35,000 fewer homes being built. This is in Labor's own budget papers.”
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Garth Hamilton Garth Hamilton opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget is a high-tax, high-spending plan that locks in years of deficits and makes housing less affordable for young people by cutting supply while demand keeps rising.
“But this budget is the highest taxing budget ever. Goodness me! In this economy, at this time, it is the highest taxing budget ever. What a challenge for future treasurers! How do you address the impact this will have? What this budget does in addition to being the highest taxing budget ever is it banks in 10 years of deficits. When you talk about the performance of a Treasurer or a government—the economic credibility, its legacy—one would think that the economic situation it leaves after it is the most important factor in determining that legacy. A government that leaves you a decade of deficits, after having delivered the highest taxing budget ever, that's an incredible legacy and one that this government should be ashamed of. It is also the highest spending budget in 40 years, outside of the pandemic. In the first term of this government, we heard about spending restraint from the Treasurer. I'm not sure that the word was being used as it is commonly understood. We have the highest spending budget in 40 years. There is no restraint. There is no spending restraint here at all!”
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Michael McCormack Michael McCormack opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget shortchanges regional Australia through poor water policy, cuts to pest control and communications, and inadequate infrastructure funding.
“But it gets worse. In the appropriations that the government wants to put in place, there is not the infrastructure spending that we desperately need in regional Australia. The roads are crumbling. They are actually unsafe, and we've seen money stripped away from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program—money for safer, better roads. Certainly in my electorate, I'm yet to see the $140 million promised by the member for Eden-Monaro before she entered parliament during the by-election. She is now the regional development minister. What I want to see from the member for Ballarat, who also happens to be the infrastructure minister, and what I want to see from the member for Eden-Monaro, who is the regional development minister, is for them to go in to the cabinet process and shake those city-centric frontbench members up and say, 'Where is the fairness for country Australia, for rural, regional and remote Australia?' Because it's not there at the moment, and it's their job to represent the people who send them to Canberra to do a job. If they don't do that, the city-centric frontbenchers will always ride roughshod over them. They will.”
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Sam Birrell Sam Birrell argues against the appropriation package overall, saying the budget expands government, punishes investment and aspiration through tax changes, and cuts important regional infrastructure, even though he supports a few housing and regional grant measures.
“There has never been a clearer outline of competing visions for Australia's future. On one hand, you've got a bigger government where more people are employed by the public service, where more people are reliant on the government for their funding and where the government is in people's lives more than it has ever been with all of the cruelling of economic opportunity and private enterprise that that causes. Or you've got a different vision—the one of the pioneers who got off boats at the Port of Melbourne in the late 1940s and said: 'Where do I want to go? I want to go to Shepparton, in the Nicholls electorate, because that's where opportunity exists. You can go up there and, if you work hard, you can get ahead. You can make something because it's private enterprise. There are no government jobs up there, but if you get out and work hard on a farm, in five years you'll own your own farm.' We've seen waves of people come and do that, and it's been inspiring to see.”
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Leon Rebello Leon Rebello opposes the appropriation bills, arguing the budget makes life harder by raising taxes and spending, failing to strengthen defence, and worsening social division.
“Our task, as I said in my first speech, is not to manage decline but to shape destiny. It's to restore the promise that effort will be rewarded, that freedom will be protected and that opportunity is not the privilege of a few but the inheritance of all. This budget does not do that. The coalition will.”
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Michelle Landry Michelle Landry opposes the appropriation bills, arguing the budget gets the government's priorities wrong by making regional Australians pay more while receiving less investment in roads, agriculture, water and local services.
“I rise today to speak on the appropriation bills before the House and to put on record what people in Capricornia and across regional Australia are telling me plainly. They are doing it tough, and they've been asked to pay more while getting less in return. Appropriation bills are not just paperwork; they are a statement of a government's priorities—what it funds, what it cuts and who it chooses to back. On the evidence of this budget and what flows from it, the message to the regions is, once again, 'You are not a priority.'”
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Tony Pasin Tony Pasin opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., saying the budget is a high-spending, high-tax package that breaks promises and fails to fund key needs in his electorate such as wine industry support, freight infrastructure and regional communications.
“Instead of squirrelling that money away to pay down debt or to build productive infrastructure—which are the two things that we will do with those windfall gains—those opposite have consistently spent all of those windfalls in the year in which they've been received. That's not how you build a nation. That's not how you pay down debt. That's how you end up with a budget which represents the highest spend and tax budget this nation has ever seen. At a time when Australians are doing it tough, those opposite celebrated on budget night—celebrated a budget of broken promises; a budget of higher taxes, with more spending and less to see for it.”
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Scott Buchholz Scott Buchholz opposes the appropriation bills, arguing they show a government that spends too much, relies on higher taxes and debt, and is making life harder through policies he says push up housing and living costs.
“We ask our Australian public, the people in our electorates, to tighten their belts. We ask them to tighten their belts. Debate on Appropriation Bill (No.1) and Appropriation Bill (No.2) is exactly the time when the opposition speaks to the government and says to them, 'It is about time that government tightens its belt.' The government needs to live within its means. No longer can we keep going back to the trough of taxes. No longer can we go back to the trough of borrowing money from overseas countries where we are accruing an interest component that is beyond the comprehension. There was a point in history when we on this side left no debt for a Labor government. Today we are looking down the barrel of a trillion dollars. It is a shame, and I will finish where I started. I want to thank my Christine for encouraging me to re-read George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, where I remember intently the workings of the Ministry of Truth. Shame!”
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Anne Webster Anne Webster opposes the budget bills, arguing they burden regional Australians, older people and small businesses with higher taxes, weaker services and broken promises.
“On housing, the government has adopted elements of the coalition's previous infrastructure proposal but at a reduced scale, committing $2 billion instead of the $5 billion originally proposed. By contrast, the coalition's regional Australia future fund aimed to ensure a fair share of housing infrastructure investment for regional communities—something not clearly replicated in this budget. In response, the coalition's budget in reply outlines a different path. Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan have committed to reversing the new tax measures. We will repeal them.”
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Kevin Hogan Kevin Hogan opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing the budget hides major tax changes that Labor did not take to the election and in fact denied it would make.
“I encourage all the Labor caucus members who are in here to stand up to this. You might agree with the policy. I respect the fact that you might agree with it. I disagree with it. I think it will kill private enterprise. I encourage the Labor caucus members in this chamber to go to the leadership of your party and at least question whether it was appropriate to be deceptive with this. Was it appropriate that, 12 months ago, we, as a political party, as the government of this country, deceived the Australian people? Dave Hughes has gone public. He said he voted for you lot in the election last year. He is saying that you do not have the mandate for this. And you don't have the mandate. If you think you have the mandate, look at how you important you think democracy is and how important you think elections are. If you're going to bring important legislation—this is not just normal budget appropriation stuff. This is radical reform to the tax system. That's when you take that to an election first because of the ramifications it will have. I say shame on every Labor MP who's going to vote for this.”
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Andrew Willcox 2 contributions Andrew Willcox opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing it is a reckless budget that spends heavily while worsening deficits, inflation and power prices and leaving regional families and businesses worse off.
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Andrew Willcox on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Andrew Willcox opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing it reflects a reckless Labor budget that worsens cost-of-living pressure and fuels inflation instead of helping households. He says the government is overspending despite strong revenues and is burdening taxpayers while families in Dawson are being forced to cut back.
“I rise today to speak to the brutal reality of what this Labor government's budget has delivered. This budget is a formal declaration of economic surrender. What we're seeing is an administration that has completely run out of ideas and run out of money. As we all know, when Labor run out of money, they come after yours. Just over a week ago, the Treasurer delivered a budget that completely abandons everyday Australians at a time when they're facing the most acute financial pressure in a generation. These appropriation bills represent a written testament to the fiscal recklessness of this Labor government.”
Read this contribution in Hansard ↗Second reading speech
Andrew Willcox opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., arguing it is a reckless budget that spends heavily while worsening deficits, inflation and power prices and leaving regional families and businesses worse off. He says the appropriations show no fiscal discipline or empathy and amount to higher taxes and wasteful spending instead of practical economic repair.
“The fundamental failure of these appropriations is the complete and total lack of basic human empathy. This government simply does not understand the depth of the pain its policies are causing. People are facing genuine, terrifying desperation. The people of regional Australia are angry, and they have every right to be angry. They are deeply frustrated because they feel completely invisible to the Prime Minister, who promised them a better future and delivered nothing but broken words and shattered trust. They were promised a better life. Instead, they've been hit by consecutive interest rate rises that have stripped hundreds of dollars out of their disposable income every single month.”
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Ben Small The supplied excerpt does not contain Ben Small's remarks on the target appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes.; it only covers Appropriation BillA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes. (No.
“Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 is where the rubber hits the road. This budget of betrayal is built on Labor lies and broken promises and becomes clear to all Australians. It has been sobering, to say the least, to listen to the stories of so many small-business owners in my own electorate offering a vastly different perspective to the propaganda that we are hearing from government MPs at the moment as to what these changes will have on their small businesses. So today I want to share the story of Ian, who has written to me as a local Bunbury business owner who founded his first small business 13 years ago, at the age of 26. Subsequently, he has built that business to employ 100 people. And since taking on his first apprentice in 2017, he has seen 33 young Australians successfully complete an apprenticeship and qualify as tradesmen.”
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Greens
1 speaker · 1 support
Greens
1 speaker · 1 support
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Elizabeth Watson-Brown ★ Elizabeth Watson-Brown does not try to block the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., but says the budget fails Australians because it is too timid and does not include a 25 per cent tax on gas exports.
“"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House calls on the Government to implement a 25 per cent gas export tax".”
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One Nation
1 speaker · 1 oppose
One Nation
1 speaker · 1 oppose
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Barnaby Joyce Barnaby Joyce opposes the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes., calling the budget a train wreck that punishes saving, investment and small business while spending on the wrong projects and pushing up costs for renters and regional Australians.
“This is quite a remarkable state of affairs we're in. Now, I'm not saying that the coalition hasn't done bad budgets as well. I was present for Joe Hockey's budget. That was a train wreck. This is up there with it—an absolute train wreck. What you hear all the time from wonderful colleagues on the other side are people going through the talking points who have absolutely no idea about how business works. So here's the suggestion: if you want to make the assets on the balance sheet work, you must give a strategic mechanism that gives them an advantage. One of the great strategic mechanisms that gives them an advantage is the price of energy. To get the price of energy going, you have to have a continuous supply that's predictable and reliable, which is coal-fired power. You have to have the brains not to blow up Liddell power station but to actually refurbish it and make it bigger and better and make it work. That's what brains do. That gives you a strategic asset on your balance sheet.”
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Minor parties and independents
5 speakers · 3 oppose · 2 unclear
Minor parties and independents
5 speakers · 3 oppose · 2 unclear
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Zali Steggall ★ Zali Steggall criticises the appropriation package as responding to some immediate pressures but failing bigger tests, especially on climate resilience, support for vulnerable people and the design of tax changes.
“I rise to respond to the government's budget papers and the appropriation bills for 2026-27. The budget contains measures that respond to some immediate pressures, but it fails the bigger test on a number of fronts—and I want to deal with some of those tonight.”
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Helen Haines Helen Haines says the budget bills contain some worthwhile measures, including parts of the housing, aged-care and farm support package, but she is mostly critical that the budget does not do enough for regional Australia.
“While I acknowledge the government for some of these reforms, they can and they should do more to address the deep-rooted inequities facing regional and rural Australia. This is not just a question of fairness. It's about setting our nation on a path to greater productivity and long-term prosperity. Regional Australia consistently demonstrates strong productivity outcomes with a track record of outperforming our share of the population. The deputy speaker knows this. To realise our full potential, we need strong health services, we need sound infrastructure, and we need policy choices that back in the ambition of regional communities and invest in our future.”
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Rebekha Sharkie Rebekha Sharkie opposes the bill and says she cannot support this budget package because she believes it breaks election promises and unfairly hurts older Australians, veterans, investors and would-be home buyers.
“I can't tell you how many emails I've received but I think that the government needs to do better on this. For the first time in a decade, I just cannot support this budget bill.”
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Andrew Gee Andrew Gee argues against the budget, saying it fails regional communities by omitting help for businesses hit by the Great Western Highway closure, leaving veterans without promised support and hiding unfair tax changes.
“I would urge the government to bring in a gas export tax. I would also urge the government to be upfront and transparent about its dealings with the public. Regardless of what you think about these tax changes, if the government had wanted to bring them in, it should have had the integrity to go to the Australian people and ask for a mandate for them. It's very simple. I'm a crossbencher, but I have seen this happen before. When coalition governments broke promises, they were rightly condemned for it, including by those on the opposite side of the chamber. So you shouldn't expect anything different to happen to you. There is no mandate for this. For us, this budget was a budget of broken highways and broken promises—and you can't build public trust on broken promises, and you can't run a regional economy on broken highways.”
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Nicolette Boele Nicolette Boele argues against the appropriation billA bill that asks Parliament to authorise government spending from public money for specified purposes. because the budget misses a major chance to raise revenue by taxing gas exports, leaving billions with gas companies instead of funding services and cost-of-living support.
“In the lead-up to the budget, the Prime Minister dismissed this reform as 'populist'. This is a mistake. When the Prime Minister calls this proposed reform 'populist', he is seeking to diminish your valid concerns. He is trying to convince you that it's unreasonable to desire a fair return on the resources that you own. He is trying to persuade you that you simply cannot ask for more of what is already yours. And when he blocks this reform, he's not just disregarding the will of the people; he's hamstringing his own government's ability to deliver the services and cost-of-living support that we all so desperately need. And that's exactly what we saw in the budget. We've heard two things from the government in the past few weeks. First, we heard about the need to find savings wherever we could. And second, we heard that this budget would be all about tax reform. By deciding to leave a gas export tax off this budget, the government has directly undermined both of these goals.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Act title
- Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2026-2027
- Act number
- Act No. 55, 2026
- Became law
- 30 June 2026
- Takes effect
- The whole of this Act 01 July 2026
- Registered
- 01 July 2026
- Administered by
- Department of Finance
- Final law metadata was collected from the APH progress table; commencement rows were parsed from the bill text.
- Status
- Assent -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- 12 May 2026
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.
- 12 May 2026
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.
- 25 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 26 May 2026
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 26 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 27 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 28 May 2026
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 June 2026
House · Returned to House for further consideration
Returned to House for further consideration
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 04 June 2026
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 04 June 2026
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 22 June 2026
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.
- 22 June 2026
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.
- 29 June 2026
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.
- 29 June 2026
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 29 June 2026
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
- 30 June 2026
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe Governor-General's formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Scrutiny Digest 7 of 2026
Considered by scrutiny committee (25 June 2026): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 7 of 2026
APH bill page notes