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

Continued the debate

Bragg argued that public finances were broken due to sustained high spending at 27 per cent of GDP and the use of off-budget funds such as the Future Made in Australia fund. Bragg contended that the government had failed to implement necessary supply-side reforms for energy and housing, leading to a projected deficit of $40 billion for the year and over $100 billion in forward estimates. Bragg asserted that the current trajectory would result in higher taxes for future generations and criticised the Treasurer's tax reform efforts as insufficient.

Government response

McCarthy thanked senators for their contributions and formally commended the appropriation bills to the Senate for passage.

Opposition response

Ruston stated that while the opposition would support the bills as standard practice, they opposed the government's fiscal management, which she claimed had added $100 billion to the national debt. Ruston argued that government spending was driving inflation and causing crises in healthcare and aged care, including rising out-of-pocket medical costs and significant wait times for care packages. Ruston highlighted that older Australians were receiving reduced care levels due to budget constraints and algorithmic assessments.