Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Wednesday 4 March 2026

Continued from Tuesday 3 March 2026.

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

At a glance

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.

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

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Shayne Neumann (Blair) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Neumann supported the bills, stating they funded essential government operations and cost-of-living relief measures. Neumann highlighted the success of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, noting 250,000 installations nationwide, and praised Medicare reforms that increased bulk-billing rates to 81.4 per cent. Neumann also pointed to savings on PBS medicines, with general patients now paying no more than $25 per script, and investments in mental health services and community cohesion programs. Neumann argued that the government had improved the budget position through savings and tax cuts, contrasting this with opposition policies that would have increased deficits.

Government response

Julie Collins (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) ALP Franklin

Collins supported the bills, emphasising their role in reducing the cost of living for Australians, particularly through cheaper medicines and tax cuts. Collins noted that PBS script costs had fallen from $42 to $25 and highlighted positive feedback on HECS debt reductions and minimum wage increases. Collins also discussed investments in apprenticeships, housing schemes, and paid parental leave expansions. Collins detailed local infrastructure projects in Tasmania, including airport upgrades, road safety improvements, and new childcare centres, arguing these investments addressed long-standing neglect.