Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Tuesday 25 March 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The House of Representatives considered the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026, which sought to appropriate $14.6 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The bill provided funding for new budget measures and covered services not classified as ordinary annual services for the remainder of the financial year. Stephen Jones outlined key allocations for defence, infrastructure, and finance departments. The debate was adjourned without further discussion or opposition recorded in the transcript.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Stephen Jones (Whitlam) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Jones moved that the bill be read a second time, noting it represented seven-twelfths of the estimated annual appropriations for 2025-26. Jones stated the bill funded new measures announced in the budget, complementing existing supply bills that covered the first five months of the year. Jones highlighted significant allocations including nearly $7.2 billion for the Department of Defence to support the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Jones also noted approximately $2.3 billion for infrastructure projects such as Inland Rail and the Western Sydney International Airport. Jones confirmed a $600 million advance to the Finance Minister provision was included for urgent expenditure.