Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027; Second Reading

Summary

These three related measures authorize the Australian government to spend money across its departments and Parliament itself for the 2026-2027 financial year. Appropriation Bill No. 1 funds regular government operations, Appropriation Bill No. 2 covers additional spending approved during the year, and the Parliamentary Departments bill funds the House of Representatives, Senate, and their support services. Without these appropriations, the government cannot legally spend taxpayer money, so they're essential to keep schools, hospitals, defense, welfare payments, and all other services running.

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