Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2025-2026; Second Reading

Summary

This appropriation measure allocates federal funding for government operations and programs during the 2025-2026 financial year. It authorizes spending across various departments and agencies by providing the necessary budget allocations required under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. Without this appropriation, the government would be unable to pay for services like healthcare, education, defense, and social security payments that Australians rely on each year.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause