What was debated: Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027
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 approves the government's main day-to-day spending for 2026-27 and carries the federal budget. The Treasurer said the budget responds to an oil shock from war in the Middle East with a $14.8 billion fuel security plan, new tax relief for workers, savings mainly from the NDIS, and changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. The debate was wide-ranging, with most attention on those tax changes, housing, spending and inflation, the NDIS, defence and fuel.
Arguments made in support
The Government said the budget helps Australians through a global oil shock with fuel reserves, more fertiliser, and a new $250 tax offset for 13.3 million workers.
Labor members said limiting negative gearing to new builds and changing capital gains tax would give first home buyers a fairer chance against investors.
Government speakers pointed to $25 billion more for public hospitals, permanent urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines and more bulk-billing.
The Government said record savings and low spending growth strengthen the budget, and NDIS changes would keep the scheme sustainable.
Labor members said defence funding rises by $53 billion over a decade, alongside more money for aged care, schools and employment services.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Coalition said the capital gains, negative gearing and trust changes break election promises and will hurt investment, small business and farm succession.
Coalition speakers cited budget papers saying the tax changes mean 35,000 fewer homes, and said high spending is keeping inflation and interest rates up.
Coalition members raised concerns about NDIS eligibility cuts, a cap on veterans' allied health, cuts to drought and research funding, and lower private health rebates for over-65s.
Independents called for tighter spending, more transparency on off-budget items, and more funding for prevention, nature and foreign aid.
The Greens criticised the budget for not taxing gas exports and moved an amendment for a 25 per cent tax on gas export revenue.
143 speeches by 87 members in the House over 5 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 14 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 2 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 3 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027
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 one of the 2026-27 budget bills. It seeks $33.7 billion for spending that is not part of the ordinary annual services of government, including money for Defence, Finance, Treasury housing loans and infrastructure projects, plus a $3.6 billion reserve for urgent and unforeseen costs. The transcript records only the minister's introduction and the bill passing the House without further debate.
Arguments made in support
The minister said the budget aims to ease pressure on ordinary Australians through tax changes, including a new $250 tax offset for workers.
The minister said changes to trusts, capital gains tax and negative gearing would make the system fairer and help more people buy a home.
The minister said transparency safeguards apply to the urgent spending reserve, including consulting the shadow finance minister on allocations over $1 billion.
3 speeches by 3 members in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
What was debated: Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027
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 $345.4 million for the parliament's own departments in 2026-27, including about $274 million for the Department of Parliamentary Services, which runs Parliament House. It was debated together with the main budget bills, so speakers talked about the whole 2026-27 budget rather than this bill itself. Most of the debate was about the budget's changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and family trusts, plus tax cuts, health and housing.
Arguments made in support
Government members said limiting negative gearing to new builds and changing capital gains tax will help about 75,000 more people buy their first home.
Labor speakers said the budget gives workers more tax cuts, including a $250 offset and a $1,000 instant deduction, worth up to about $2,800 a year.
Government members pointed to permanent funding for Medicare urgent care clinics, cheaper medicines and $25 billion more for public hospitals.
Supporters said fuel reserves, a domestic gas reserve and $2 billion for housing infrastructure make Australia more resilient to global shocks.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said the Prime Minister broke repeated promises not to change negative gearing or capital gains tax and has no mandate for it.
Coalition and crossbench members said the capital gains, trust and negative gearing changes hurt small businesses, farmers, retirees and young people saving through shares.
Opponents criticised a $5,000 yearly cap on veterans' allied health, lower private health rebates for over-65s, and cuts to Inland Rail and regional programs.
The Greens and some independents moved amendments calling for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports; the Greens also sought to reverse NDIS cuts.
Independents Rebekha Sharkie and Zali Steggall asked the government to take the tax changes to an election or release more modelling first.
87 speeches by 63 members in the House and Senate over 8 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 12 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 25 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 26 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 27 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 28 May 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 22 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Australia's Voice
0 Yes
0 No
1–
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
2 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.