Stephen Jones (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer) | Hansard source

I understand the member for Casey is the last speaker from the opposition on this group of bills. I thank them for their contribution and I sympathise with his confusion. It's very difficult for the member for Casey and all other members of the coalition to grasp the fact that we would deliver a surplus but not deliver coffee cups advertising the surplus! We're more focused on substance than the marketing.

But genuinely I'd like to thank all members who've contributed to the debate on the additional estimates appropriation bills 2023-24. Sometimes lost in the fog of the parliamentary debate is the fact that these bills are actually seeking authority from the parliament for additional expenditure of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the remainder of 2023-24, an important purpose. Passage of the bills will ensure continuity of government programs, which I'm sure is something that all members of this place are concerned about, and provide for the commencement of new activities agreed by the government since the 2023-24 budget. I outlined those in the introductory speech on these bills in the House. They will also ensure the Commonwealth's ability to meet its obligations for the remainder of this financial year as they fall due.

In introducing the bills, the government has already highlighted some of the more significant items provided for in these bills. The total appropriation sought through the bills is approximately $11 billion. I once again genuinely thank the honourable members of the House who have contributed to the debate. With those brief concluding comments, I commend the bills to the House.

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