Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2005-2006.

There are two supplementary additional estimates bills:  Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2005-2006, and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2005-2006. I shall introduce the latter bill shortly.

These bills seek authority for supplementary appropriation from the consolidated revenue fund in the current financial year, to pay for important initiatives agreed by the government since additional estimates 2005-06.

The total appropriation being sought through the supplementary additional estimates bills is approximately $3,625.7 million, with $1,336.5 million being sought in bill No. 5.

The major items of expenditure in the bill include:

• additional funding to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to enable a payment of $500 million to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in 2005-06. The government is committed to restoring the health of the Murray-Darling Basin and this funding will allow the commission to accelerate its capital works program, undertake additional projects under the Living Murray Environmental Works and Measures Program, and deliver 500 gigalitres of water per annum for environmental water flows.
• an additional $310.4 million to fund a coordinated package of measures to assist those adversely affected by Tropical Cyclone Larry, including:
• $97 million to the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to provide support in the form of ex-gratia payments to individuals and families, a one-off diesel and petrol subsidy program to assist businesses, including farmers, and a one-off program of income support payments;
• $86.9 million in wage subsidy payments to businesses and farmers affected by the cyclone; and
• an additional $126.5 million in grants to affected businesses to assist with restocking, replanting, re-establishment and clean-up;
• these measures are part of a total package costing $433.8 million in 2005-2006;
• grants totalling $265 million to a number of medical research facilities, including:
• $50 million to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to contribute towards a seven-storey extension that will double the floor space available for medical research;
• $50 million—which I am very pleased about—for capital works at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University; and
• $165 million to a number of other medical research facilities for a variety of development and expansion projects, including $37 million to the Howard Florey Institute;
• an additional $243 million will be provided to the Department of Transport and Regional Services to enable a $270 million payment to be made to the Australian Rail Track Corporation to assist with investment in Australia’s interstate rail network, including the upgrading of the north-south corridor;
• contributions totalling $87 million to universities, including:
• $75 million to the Australian National University for general capital works, subject to the university also contributing $50 million of its own resources;
• $12 million will be provided to the University of Wollongong to expand the Centre of Transnational Crime Prevention; and
• a one-off contribution of $23 million to support the establishment of new medical schools in Victoria;
• an additional $19.5 million financial assistance to support primary producers in regions that have been declared eligible for exceptional circumstances assistance and those in regions that have been declared eligible for interim income support;
• a $10 million contribution to the construction cost of a non-government, community managed boarding college to deliver education and related services to Indigenous high school students on the Tiwi Islands;
• grants to sporting facilities, including:
• $15 million towards the establishment of the South Australian State Aquatic Centre;
• $15 million to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to support the establishment of an Australian sports museum; and
• $9.6 million toward upgrade of Toyota Park, home of the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League Club, to enhance spectator safety and security and improve disabled access.

The remaining amount in Appropriation Bill (No. 5) relates to estimates variations and other measures.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Ms Gillard) adjourned.