Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Bills
Appropriation (Parliament 2025-2026) Bill 2025
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Appropriation (Parliament 2025-2026) Bill 2025
Appropriation
The SPEAKER (13:31): I have received the following message from the Lieutenant-Governor, accompanied by the estimates:
In accordance with the requirements of section 63 of the Constitution Act 1975 the Lieutenant-Governor, as the Governor’s Deputy, recommends to the Legislative Assembly that an Appropriation be made from the Consolidated Fund for the purposes of a Bill for an Act for the appropriation of certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund for the Parliament in respect of the financial year 2025/2026 and for other purposes, and hereby transmits to the Legislative Assembly estimates of the Expenditure requiring annual appropriation in the financial year 2025/2026.
Estimates tabled.
Introduction and first reading
That I introduce a bill for an act for the appropriation of certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund for the Parliament in respect of the financial year 2025–26 and for other purposes.
Motion agreed to.
James NEWBURY (Brighton) (13:32): I seek a brief explanation of the bill.
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (13:32): This is a bill to appropriate certain sums to enable the Parliament and our electorate officers and parliamentarians to function and be paid.
Read first time; under standing order 61(3)(a), ordered to be read second time immediately.
Statement of compatibility
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (13:34): In accordance with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, I table a statement of compatibility in relation to the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025:
In accordance with section 28 of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Charter), I make this statement of compatibility with respect to the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025.
In my opinion, the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025, as introduced to the Legislative Assembly, is compatible with the human rights protected by the Charter. I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.
Overview of Bill
The purpose of the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 is to provide appropriation authority for payments from the Consolidated Fund to the Parliament and its agencies in respect of the 2025–2026 financial year.
Human Rights Issues
The Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 does not raise any human rights issues.
As the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 does not raise any human rights issues, it does not limit any human rights, and therefore it is not necessary to consider section 7(2) of the Charter Act.
Conclusion
I consider that the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 is compatible with the Charter because it does not raise any human rights issues.
The Hon Danny Pearson MP
Minister for Finance
Second reading
That this bill be now read a second time.
I ask that my second-reading speech be incorporated into Hansard.
Incorporated speech as follows:
The Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 provides appropriation authority for payments from the Consolidated Fund to the Parliament and its agencies in respect of the 2025/2026 financial year, including ongoing liabilities incurred by the Parliament such as employee entitlements that may be realised in the future.
Honourable Members will be aware that other funds are appropriated for parliamentary purposes by way of special appropriations contained in other legislation. In addition, unapplied appropriations under the Appropriation (Parliament 2024–2025) Act 2024 have been estimated and included in the Budget Papers. Before 30 June 2025, the actual unapplied appropriation will be finalised and the 2025/2026 appropriations will be adjusted by the approved carryover amounts under section 32 of the Financial Management Act 1994.
In line with the wishes of the Presiding Officers, appropriations in the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 are made to the departments of the Parliament, and the independent officers of the Parliament.
The total appropriation authority sought in the Appropriation (Parliament 2025–2026) Bill 2025 is $297 204 000 for Parliament in respect of the 2025/2026 financial year.
I commend the Bill to the House.
Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (13:34): I move:
That the debate be adjourned.
Motion agreed to and debate adjourned.
Ordered that debate be adjourned until tomorrow.