Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Lawrence ) (17:13): Before the Federation Chamber considers the first portfolio, I would like to remind all members of the purpose of the consideration in detail stage and outline the way that it is expected to proceed. On Thursday 28 May, the House agreed to a resolution setting the order and timing for the consideration of portfolios.

Consideration in detail is a debate, and the call will be alternated between government and non-government members, as always. Even though this debate sometimes takes the format of questions and answers, this is not question time. Ministers and government backbench members will both be considered as speakers for the government's turn and should bear this in mind when they seek the call.

Members are required to be relevant to the portfolio being examined, but there is no requirement for direct relevance to any questions asked. Each minister and member will have up to five minutes to speak each time they are called, but they may wish to speak for a shorter time. Ministers may wish to speak first and make an introductory statement when debate on their portfolio begins, but that is a matter for them to decide.

The terms of the resolution provide dates and times after which the questions on each portfolio will be put if debate does not conclude earlier. To avoid confusion when these times are reached, a member who is speaking will be allowed to continue their remarks, but chairs are obligated to put the question immediately at the conclusion of that member's speech, and no further debate will be permitted.

Finally, I remind advisers to members and ministers that the roped off gallery areas may be accessed through the doors adjacent to the galleries only, not through the doors reserved for members, and they must not intrude onto the floor of the Federation Chamber at any time or seek the attention of a member or minister by calling out. Education Portfolio Proposed expenditure, $2,799,424,000