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. 5) 2006-2007.

There are two supplementary additional estimates bills: Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2006-2007 and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2006-2007. I shall introduce the latter bill shortly.

These bills seek authority for supplementary appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the current financial year to pay for important initiatives agreed by the government since the additional estimates 2006-07.

The total appropriation being sought through the supplementary additional estimates bills is approximately $814 million, with $554.8 million being sought in bill No. 5.

I now outline the major items provided for in the bill.

• An increase of $66.3 million will be made available to the Department of Education, Science and Training to provide:

–  $50 million to the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Program for infrastructure investment to existing non-government schools, particularly those in remote and regional areas that accommodate significant numbers of Indigenous students; and

–  $50 million to the synchrotron facility to support its ongoing operations, subject to the Victorian state government matching this funding.

–  These funding increases are partially offset by savings in 2006-07 of $33.7 million in other programs.

• An additional $435.8 million will be provided to the Department of Health and Ageing to fund a variety of development and expansion projects by medical research facilities.  This measure will enhance the capacity and quality of Australia’s health and medical research efforts and assist Australian researchers to continue high-quality, world-class research.  The major items of funding include:

–    $100 million for the Princess Alexandra Hospital and University of Queensland;

–    $100 million for the Western Australian Institutes for Health;

–  $55 million for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research;

–  $50 million for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Victoria; and

–  $30 million for the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute in New South Wales.

The balance of the amount in Appropriation Bill (No. 5) relate to estimates variations and other minor measures.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Albanese) adjourned.