What the House debated: 25 May 2026 — Budget appropriation bills, Neale Daniher condolence, and private members' business

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the House debated: 25 May 2026 — Budget appropriation bills, Neale Daniher condolence, and private members' business

On 25 May 2026 the House of Representatives debated the government's main 2026–27 Budget appropriation bills — Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026–2027 and its companion bills — with opposition members criticising the capital gains tax changes as a broken promise. The House also passed supplementary appropriation bills for 2025–2026. Prime Minister Albanese led condolences for Neale Daniher AO, the 2025 Australian of the Year and motor neurone disease campaigner who had recently died. The petitions committee presented 186 petitions on topics from nuclear energy to political advertising. Private members' business covered cost of living, domestic and family violence, endometriosis, private health insurance, the EU security and defence partnership, carp management, Inland Rail, energy policy, and donations to political parties. The House divided three times on procedural and substantive matters.

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Evidence review

186 petitions tabled covering nuclear energy, migration, and political advertising

The sitting began with the Petitions Committee, chaired by Ms Jodie Belyea, presenting its Report No. 10 containing 186 petitions. The petitions covered a broad cross-section of public concerns. Multiple petitions called for the establishment of fusion energy research and development activities. Others addressed nuclear energy policy — both for and against — reflecting ongoing national debate about Australia's energy future.

Petitions also dealt with migration and visa screening, religious belief in public institutions, ministerial travel and entitlements, political advertising regulation, disaster and emergency management, the Australian National Flag, defence properties, taxation, and the National Capital Plan. Several petitions raised concerns about personal information and privacy, child abuse, COVID-19 vaccines, and the Australian Constitution.

One petition with 97 signatories (Petition No. EN9673) specifically called on the House to consider a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, citing 'failure to manage the economy, leading to a cost-of-living crisis, uncontrollable inflation, and soaring housing/rental costs' as well as concerns about energy and immigration policy. The tabling of petitions is a procedural step; petitions are referred to the relevant minister for a response.

Evidence review

2026–27 Budget appropriation bills — second reading debate

The main legislative business of the day was the second reading debate on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026–2027, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026–2027, and the Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026–2027. These are the government's principal budget bills that authorise expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the 2026–27 financial year.

Scott Buchholz MP (LNP, Wright) spoke in the cognate debate, framing his criticism around what he characterised as 'deceitful taxes.' He told the House: 'When a journalist asked the Prime Minister, ''Are you going to introduce a capital gains tax?'' the response was, ''For the 50th time, no.'' That was unequivocal. Before the election, Australians knew that there was not going to be a tax, but then, immediately after, it appears in the budget.' Buchholz said the broken promise was 'a pox on all of our houses' and damaging to public trust in politicians generally.

The appropriation bills also included the remaining stages of Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2025–2026 and Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2025–2026 — supplementary estimates for the current financial year. These passed through second and third reading stages, with at least one division recorded. Hansard records three formal divisions during the sitting day: one showing 48 ayes to 94 noes, and another showing 105 ayes to 39 noes, with a further division of 45 ayes to 97 noes. These votes reflect the government's majority on the floor of the House.

Evidence review

Condolences: Neale Daniher AO — 'a great Australian'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rose on indulgence to move a condolence motion for Neale Francis Daniher AO, describing him as 'a great Australian.' Daniher, a former VFL/AFL player and coach with Essendon and Melbourne, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013. He lived 13 years beyond the average 27-month life expectancy, during which he became Australia's most prominent MND campaigner.

The Prime Minister said: 'The devastating impacts of motor neurone disease stole so much from Neale, but he held on to everything that people loved and admired about him — his selflessness, his bravery, his humour, his ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others.' Albanese noted it was 'a profound honour' to present Daniher the Australian of the Year Award in 2025, adding, 'I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian.'

The condolence motion extended sympathy to Daniher's wife Jan, their children and grandchildren. Members from all sides of the House contributed to the condolence debate. Statements by members later in the day also referenced Daniher's legacy, alongside tributes to Michael 'Magic' McLean and other community figures.

Evidence review

Private members' business: cost of living to invasive carp

The afternoon was devoted to private members' business, where non-ministerial MPs moved motions on a wide range of topics. A cost of living motion was debated, with the opposition criticising the government's management of the economy. A domestic, family and sexual violence motion was moved by Kara Cook MP (Labor, Bonner), noting Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and commending the government's National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–32.

Ms Cook, a former domestic violence lawyer, told the House of the government's record investment and the consultation underway to develop the second action plan. The Inland Rail project was debated, as was energy policy. A motion on endometriosis was considered, along with one on private health insurance. The House also debated the Security and Defence Partnership between Australia and the European Union, and a motion on invasive species management specifically targeting carp.

A motion on donations to political parties was also listed for private members' business. The Hansard record shows that these debates form part of the regular cycle of non-government business that allows backbench and crossbench MPs to raise issues that may not otherwise reach the chamber's agenda. Whether any of these motions were put to a formal vote is not recorded in the debate text.

Evidence review

Constituency statements and members' statements

The day also included constituency statements and members' statements — brief speeches in which MPs raise local issues and community events. Topics ranged from volunteering in the Canberra and Lindsay electorates, to the Artisan Precinct Initiative, the Working Women's Centre in New South Wales, and a raft of community sporting clubs and anniversaries.

Several members spoke about Budget impacts in their electorates. Others raised concerns about cybersafety, Indigenous Australians and Northern Territory stolen wages, music education, the Blue Mountains State Emergency Service, and the Walk for Truth. The Norwood Football Club, the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre's 50th anniversary, De La Salle College Revesby Heights, and the Victoria Point Australian Football Club's 60th anniversary all received mentions.

These statements are a routine part of House proceedings and typically do not result in any formal decision. They serve as a channel for MPs to place local matters on the parliamentary record.

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