Gary Nairn (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

• It is with great pleasure that I introduce Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008, which, together with Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008, is one of the principal pieces of legislation underpinning the third budget of the fourth term of the coalition government.
• Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008 proposes appropriation for agencies to meet:

–  expenses in relation to grants to the states under section 96 of the Constitution and for payments to the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory and local government authorities;

–  administered expenses for new outcomes;

–  requirements for departmental equity injections, loans and previous years’ outputs; and

–  requirements to create or acquire administered assets and to discharge administered liabilities.

• Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008 seeks approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund totalling $10,133.4 million.
• The bill includes a minor technical change to section 14 to streamline ministerial determinations that are made on payments to the states, territories and local government authorities. The change will enable payments to be made without the mandatory ministerial determination on the amount and timing. The provision otherwise is unaltered and determinations may be issued if required.
• We have also taken the opportunity to remove a redundant provision from appropriation bills Nos. 1 and 2 and the parliamentary departments appropriation bill. The Departmental Items Adjustments and other similar provisions will no longer be required in the annual appropriation bills. These sections were originally included to smooth the transition to the accrual arrangements implemented in 1999-2000. They have not been exercised for some five years and are no longer required.
• Details of the proposed appropriations are set out in schedule 2 to the bill, the main features of which were outlined in the budget speech delivered by my colleague the Treasurer, earlier this evening.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Albanese) adjourned.