Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2025-2026
Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (17:16): I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted.
The speeches read as follows— APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 5) 2025-2026 Today, the Government introduces the 2025-26 Supplementary Additional Estimates Appropriation Bills. These Bills are: Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2025-2026; and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2025-2026. Appropriation Bill 5 seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $2.7 billion.
This would ensure there are sufficient appropriations to cover estimate variations related to existing programs, for example, changes in demand driven programs. These Bills also pay for the 2025-26 financial year impact of decisions made since the 2025-26 MYEFO, including those in the 2026-27 Budget. Key items in this Bill include: The Department of Defence receiving over $1.8 billion in funding brought forward to address updated expenditure requirements under the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the Defence Integrated Investment Program.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing receiving approximately $643 million, including over $598 million for the National Disability Insurance Agency to provide reasonable and necessary supports for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants. Full details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the Schedule to the Bill, the Explanatory Memorandum, and the Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements.
I commend this Bill to the chamber. APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 6) 2025-2026 This Bill seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of $1.1 billion for the 2025-26 financial year. These appropriations will support the following key items.
The Department of Defence will receive $900 million brought forward to meet revised expenditure requirements under the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the Defence Integrated Investment Program. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts will receive over $204 million for the Australian Rail Track Corporation to continue to deliver the Inland Rail project.
Full details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the Schedule to the Bill, the Explanatory Memorandum, and the Portfolio Supplementary Additional Estimates Statements. I commend this Bill to the chamber. Debate adjourned.