Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, which sought approval for $3.5 billion in appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The legislation allocated funds primarily to the Department of Defence, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of the Treasury. Daniel Mulino moved the motion for the bill to be read a second time, outlining the specific allocations for defence capabilities, water recovery, and social housing. No other members spoke, and the debate was adjourned without a recorded vote in the transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Thursday 12 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the second reading of three appropriation bills authorising an additional $12.7 billion in government spending for the 2025-26 financial year. Coalition members opposed the government's fiscal management, citing high inflation, rising national debt, and excessive discretionary spending, while Labour members defended the expenditures as necessary investments in health, housing, and community resilience. The discussion also covered regional funding priorities, with National Party members criticising infrastructure gaps and Labor members highlighting improvements in bulk-billing and urgent care clinics. The debate concluded with the adjournment of discussion.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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3. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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4. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the government's fiscal management and spending priorities versus opposition claims of economic mismanagement. Labor members argued that the bills reflect responsible budgeting, evidence-based policy, and targeted support for regional communities and cost-of-living pressures. National Party members contended that the government's spending has driven inflation, increased national debt, and neglected regional infrastructure and services. The debate concluded with the Federation Chamber adjourning, with no final vote recorded in the transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned with the Federation Chamber closing at 19:24.

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5. Wednesday 4 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned additional estimates appropriations for the 2025-26 financial year, funding various government programs including health, energy, housing, and infrastructure. Labor members supported the bills, highlighting cost-of-living relief measures such as cheaper medicines, bulk-billing incentives, and home battery subsidies. Liberal members opposed the spending levels, arguing that high government expenditure was driving inflation and interest rates, while also raising concerns about infrastructure cost blowouts and regional service gaps. The coalition indicated it would support the bills despite these criticisms.

   Outcome: The debate was interrupted before a final vote was recorded.

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6. Tuesday 10 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the government's fiscal management, with opposition members arguing that excessive spending was driving inflation and national debt, while government members defended their record on cost-of-living relief, infrastructure, and health. Independent member Kate Chaney supported specific programs but urged long-term fiscal sustainability and revenue reform. The opposition indicated they would not oppose the bills to ensure government operations continued, despite disagreeing with the underlying fiscal policy. The debate concluded with the bills proceeding, as the opposition chose not to delay legislative authority for government expenditure.

   Outcome: The opposition stated they would not oppose or delay the appropriation bills to allow government operations to continue, despite disagreeing with the fiscal policies contained within them.

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7. Wednesday 11 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members debated the government's expenditure priorities, with Labor MPs highlighting investments in healthcare, housing, education, and local infrastructure as evidence of responsible economic management. Opposition members, including Tom Venning, criticised the government for high spending that they argued drove inflation and increased national debt to $1.2 trillion. Venning specifically opposed expenditures such as the $96.5 million Bureau of Meteorology website upgrade and advocated for lower taxes and disciplined economic management. The debate covered specific local projects, cost-of-living measures, and concerns about democratic engagement and regional infrastructure funding.

   Outcome: The debate was interrupted before a conclusion was reached.

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8. Thursday 12 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members of the Australian Labor Party supported the appropriation bills, citing investments in housing, healthcare, education, and cost-of-living relief. Speakers highlighted specific initiatives such as the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Medicare reforms, wage increases for low-paid workers, and local infrastructure projects. The debate also addressed government procurement strategies, climate action, and national security measures. All speakers commended the bills to the House, emphasizing the funding of policy decisions from the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.

   Outcome: The debate was interrupted before a vote was taken.

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9. Tuesday 24 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members debated the government's spending priorities, with Labor MPs including Sharon Claydon, Trish Cook, Luke Gosling, Emma McBride, David Moncrieff, Dan Repacholi, and Gabriel Ng highlighting investments in health, defence, infrastructure, and cost-of-living relief. Matt Gregg supported the bills by emphasizing local infrastructure in Deakin and national policies addressing hospital waiting lists, housing shortages, and wage growth through initiatives like Medicare bulk-billing and superannuation changes. Zali Steggall supported the legislation but urged reforms to the petroleum resource rent tax and opposed potential taxes on electric vehicles, while Scott Buchholz made a brief comment regarding Newcastle. The debate concluded with the bills being read a second time.

   Outcome: The bills were read a second time.

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10. Tuesday 24 March 2026 · House of Representatives

    Third Reading
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11. Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Senate

    First Reading
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12. Wednesday 25 March 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated three additional appropriation bills providing over $22 billion in funding for the 2025-26 financial year. The Government defended the spending as necessary for defence, health, climate initiatives, and parliamentary operations. Opposition members criticised the bills as evidence of fiscal irresponsibility, arguing that high government spending was driving inflation and interest rates. Crossbench members raised concerns about value for money, citing failures in wage theft enforcement, excessive contractor costs, and non-compliance with AI transparency policies. No amendments were moved, and the bills were not opposed by the Coalition.

    Outcome: The bills were debated but the transcript does not record the final vote or passage.

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13. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The debate centred on the government's fiscal management, with opposition members arguing that high spending and off-budget funds have driven the national debt towards $1 trillion and exacerbated inflation and cost-of-living pressures. Critics highlighted specific failures in healthcare accessibility, aged care rationing, and fuel supply resilience, while One Nation proposed removing net zero funding. The government minister commended the bills, and the Senate ultimately passed the appropriation measures.

    Outcome: The Senate passed the bills by a vote of 40 to 5.

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14. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

    Third Reading
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