What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This is the main budget spending bill for 2025-26, approving about $83.4 billion for the day-to-day running of government, including Defence, health, the NDIS, foreign affairs and Home Affairs. The debate was a portfolio-by-portfolio 'consideration in detail', where members questioned and defended spending in education, defence, the economy, workplace relations, agriculture, climate and energy, justice, communications, industry, home affairs, social services, health and Indigenous affairs. Coalition members also complained that several senior ministers did not attend to answer questions.
Arguments made in support
Government members said inflation and interest rates are down, over a million jobs were created, and two budget surpluses were delivered while giving cost-of-living help.
Government speakers highlighted extra school funding, cheaper child care, a 20 per cent cut to student debts, bulk-billing incentives, urgent care clinics and cheaper medicines.
The Government said it is lifting Defence spending, including $12 billion for the Henderson shipyard, and supporting recruitment and veterans' claims.
Government members pointed to renewable energy approvals, home battery discounts, critical minerals support and more biosecurity funding for farmers.
Government speakers also cited longer paid parental leave with super, over $4 billion to address gender-based violence and record legal assistance funding.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said the budget had worsened by $58 billion over two years, debt was nearing $1 trillion and spending was growing faster than the economy.
Coalition speakers said living costs, energy prices and GP out-of-pocket costs had risen, and that apprentice numbers had fallen by about 100,000.
The Coalition said Defence was underfunded, criticised the live sheep export ban and tribunal backlogs, and raised questions about the return of 'ISIS brides'.
Independents called for fiscal rules, revenue-neutral tax reform, more disaster and climate resilience funding, and more spending on preventive health and integrity agencies.
The Greens raised concerns about weapons parts exports to Israel and possible US government stakes in Australian critical minerals.
152 speeches by 93 members in the House over 4 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 30 July 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 7 Oct 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 8 Oct 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 9 Oct 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Second and third reading votes. How each party's members voted:
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.