Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank everybody who has contributed to the debate on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2022-2023 and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-23. The bills seek authority from the parliament for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for endorsed March 2022 budget measures, 2022 election commitments and other decisions taken by the government in the October 2022 budget. They build on the appropriations already provided in the first set of the 2022-2023 supply act containing broadly five-twelfths of the 2022-23 annual appropriations to support the ongoing business of government, and the additional 2022-23 supply bills containing the remaining seven-twelfths of the 2022-23 annual appropriations for the ongoing business of government.

In introducing these bills, the government has already highlighted some of the more significant measures provided for in these bills. The total of the appropriations sought through these three bills is approximately $13.6 billion. These are the principal bills that underpin the 2022-23 October budget. It is, indeed, the first Labor budget in nearly a decade. It is a budget that builds a better future and a budget that I and all who sit on this side of the chamber are extremely proud of. It is a responsible budget that delivers on the Albanese government's election commitments, delivering targeted cost-of-living relief and investing in Australia's future. I understand that there is an amendment to come. We will deal with that amendment in due course.

There are very good reasons for this party of government and other parties to support a consistent approach to supply bills. I know one previous senator here was, for a period, fond of moving amendments to these bills to make political points and partisan speeches. Of course, people have got a right to do that. There is an important set of principles here, though. Speeches and posts for Facebook are one thing. Actually making sure that supply bills make their way through here in a way that's consistent with institutional arrangements is pretty important for the proper functioning of government. So we'll go through those debates when the time comes. I commend the appropriation bills to the Senate, and I look forward to the Senate's support.

Question agreed to.

Bills read a second time.