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

Summary

Parliament needs to approve money for the Parliamentary Departments — the bodies that run the Senate, House of Representatives, and related support services — for the 2026-2027 financial year. This appropriation works under the Australian Constitution (sections 53 and 54), which requires Parliament to pass separate legislation to approve government spending, and it follows the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, which sets out how government agencies must manage money. The specifics of how much money goes to each parliamentary department are detailed in a separate document (the Portfolio Budget Statements), but this legislation formally authorizes the spending so Parliament can actually function and pay its staff and operations.

What happens at this stage

The bill is introduced to the chamber by its sponsor and given a formal title. No debate takes place. This step exists so all members are officially notified the bill is coming before any substantive discussion begins.

Next: Second Reading, where the chamber debates the bill's overall purpose and principles