Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be read a second time.

Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014, along with Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2013-2014, which I introduced earlier, are the supplementary additional estimates appropriation bills for this financial year.

This bill seeks further approval for appropriations from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of just over $972 million.

The majority of the amount in the bill relates to the Department of Defence. This bill would provide the department with just over $603 million, reflecting three matters. Those are: expenditure brought forward into 2013-14 from the forward estimates to assist with the purchase of foreign military assets; supplementation for foreign exchange movements; and the re-appropriation of amounts between appropriation acts to better align with Defence's current work programs.

The bill would also provide the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development with just under $295 million for off-network roads projects, where milestones have been reached earlier than anticipated.

Another $40 million relates to amounts for the Department of Agriculture for drought concessional loans under the drought support for farmers package.

Details of the proposed expenditure are set out in the schedules to the bill and the portfolio supplementary additional estimates statements tabled in the parliament.

Debate adjourned.