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 bill provides an extra $9.2 million for the Department of the House of Representatives and the Department of Parliamentary Services for the rest of 2025-26. It was debated together with two larger spending bills, worth about $12.7 billion in total. Most speeches were about the government's overall spending, inflation and local projects, rather than the parliamentary departments themselves.
Arguments made in support
Government members said the bills fund decisions already made, including cheaper home batteries, Medicare, the NDIS, defence and social housing.
Labor speakers pointed to more bulk-billing, $25 medicine scripts, urgent care clinics, tax cuts and student debt cuts as cost-of-living help.
A Labor member said funding parliament properly helps members represent constituents and lets committees do their work.
The Coalition said it would not block or delay the bills, as giving the government money to run is normal practice.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said government spending is too high and is adding to inflation and interest rate rises, and pointed to debt nearing $1 trillion.
Regional Coalition and Nationals members said their areas were missing out on roads, urgent care clinics, mobile towers and other funding.
Crossbench members suggested changes such as gas tax reform, fuel tax credit reform and more focus on prevention spending.
One Nation moved to delay the bills until all net zero funding was removed. Senator Payman raised concerns about waste on contractors and advisory bodies.
126 speeches by 78 members in the House and Senate over 10 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 5 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 Feb 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 3 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 10 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 11 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 24 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 25 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 26 Mar 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Second and third reading votes. How each party's members voted:
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.