Michael Sukkar (Deakin, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2021-2022, along with Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2021-2022, which I just introduced, are the additional estimates appropriation bills for this financial year. Together, these bills ensure there is a sufficient appropriation to cover estimates variations related to existing programs and measures. This bill specifically seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of approximately $4.033 billion.

The most significant items of the bill are as follows.

The bill proposes $2.493 billion to the Department of Health primarily for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National Medical Stockpile as part of the government's ongoing response to COVID-19. We note that pressure for additional PPE in February and March 2022 is met on an expedited basis using the appropriation coronavirus response bills Nos 1 and 2 2021-22. Accordingly bill No. 4 addresses pressure for additional PPE from the months of April to June this year.

The bill provides additional $424 million to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to support the construction of the Hunter Power Project by Snowy Hydro Ltd.

Additional funds are also provided to the Department of Finance to support the final stages of construction of centres for national resilience in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. This augments initial funding provided through advances to the finance minister that occurred in 2021.

Again full details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the schedule to the bill and the portfolio additional estimates statements tabled in the parliament.

Debate adjourned.

See this speech in context