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

Summary

The government is seeking approval to spend additional money on Parliament's own departments (the House of Representatives and Parliamentary Services) beyond what was already approved in the budget earlier this year. These extra funds are needed because of new government decisions made since the original budget was set. The spending must follow the Australian Constitution, which requires Parliament to approve ordinary government spending separately from other spending — that's why there are three separate appropriation bills being considered together. Once approved, these funds will be managed under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and the money can only be used for the specific purposes listed in the schedules attached to this legislation.

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