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.

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2006-2007 requests additional funding 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; and
• non-operating requirements in the form of departmental equity injections.

Total additional appropriation of around $259.2 million is proposed in Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2006-2007.

The supplementary appropriation is required to fund an important initiative during the current financial year that has been agreed by the government since the additional estimates 2006-07. The initiative involves an additional $250 million to the Department of Transport and Regional Services for the AusLink Strategic Regional Program. This funding increase is partially offset by savings in other programs.

The balance of the amount in Appropriation Bill (No. 6) relate to estimates variations, and other minor measures.

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) includes the same minor technical change to section 14 that has been made to Appropriation Bill (No. 2).

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mr Albanese) adjourned.